Is your business prepared to defend against an attack?
Often, businesses spend time and money on prevention methods, such as firewalls. But firewalls only prevent external attacks. Once an attack occurs, businesses are often caught by surprise.
This is why companies use both internal vs external penetration testing. This can find holes in company cybersecurity. They can also test the defenses your company has put in place.
Check out the guide below to learn more about internal vs external penetration testing.
Overview of Internal Penetration Testing
Internal pen testing is a type of security program assessment that focuses on finding vulnerabilities inside an organization’s:
- network
- system
- applications
This is done from the perspective of an authorized user within the organization, thus allowing testers to evaluate the effectiveness of an organization’s security controls.
It involves using authorized accounts to simulate an attack and attempt to gain access to systems or information that should not be accessible to the tester.
Overview of External Penetration Testing
External Penetration Testing (EPT) is a testing method designed to evaluate the security threats and vulnerabilities of an organization from outside its physical boundaries. EPT evaluates the external threats of a system. It focuses on network-based pene station testing. This of which includes entering the network with malicious intent.
The purpose of an EPT is to determine, identify and evaluate:
- vulnerabilities
- potential threats
- data and files
It is also used to evaluate other aspects of a network and its:
- operating systems
- applications
- open ports
Through this process, it can expose any potential:
- security weaknesses
- excess permissions
- misconfigurations
- missing patch updates
Companies usually perform EPT when they are looking to have a more thorough assessment of their security posture, as it can provide a more in-depth look into their networks. With the data gathered from a successful EPT, remediation steps can be taken to minimize the potential risks and make their systems more secure.
Key Differences Between Internal and External Penetration Testing
Internal and external penetration testing are two different approaches to assessing an organization’s cybersecurity posture. Here are the key differences between the two:
Scope and Testing Environment
The scope of a penetration test will depend on the objectives of the test. When the scope is set for internal testing, security is usually being tested for compliance or safety rather than specifically looking for vulnerabilities. External testing involves testing for both compliance and vulnerabilities.
The testing environment is also different for internal and external testing. Internal tests are generally run from within the company’s network. External tests are typically run from outside the company’s network or over the Internet.
Objectives and Goals
Internal penetration testing is conducted from inside the organization to assess its IT infrastructure to identify any weak points or flaws. Its primary goal is to protect the organization’s data from being compromised by an outsider.
On the other hand, external penetration testing focuses on discovering security vulnerabilities from outside the organization. It is achieved by simulating an attacker trying to gain access to the organization’s resources.
It tests the organization’s current security posture from an external perspective. It is mainly focused on finding potential weaknesses in the organization’s security perimeter that an attacker could potentially take advantage of.
Target Systems and Assets
Internal testing targets resources and systems accessible from within the organization’s internal network. This includes:
- servers
- workstations
- databases
- other assets
All of which employees and authorized users can access. External testing focuses on systems accessible from outside the organization’s network. This typically includes:
- internet-facing web applications
- email servers
- VPN gateways
- firewalls
- any other public-facing services
Threat Actors and Attack Scenarios
In this type of testing, the simulated attack scenarios often involve employees or insiders who might attempt:
- unauthorized access
- privilege escalation
- data theft
The attack scenarios for external testing typically mimic those of external threat actors, such as:
- hackers
- cybercriminals
- nation-state actors
Trying to exploit vulnerabilities in the internet to gain unauthorized access or compromise sensitive data.
Impact and Potential Consequences
The impact of successful attacks in internal testing could result in data breaches and unauthorized access to critical systems. It could also result in exposure to sensitive information or disruption of internal operations.
Successful attacks in external testing could lead to unauthorized access to:
- customer data
- website defacement
- data exfiltration
- loss of customer trust
- financial losses
- damage to the organization’s reputation
The risk level of the test is increased and the potential consequences could be more impactful.
Choosing the Right Type of Penetration Testing
When choosing the right type of penetration testing, one must consider the scope of the project and the needs of the company.
- What type of data will be tested
- what systems must be audited
- what types of attacks will be simulated?
A comprehensive approach should be taken to identify potential vulnerabilities and assess the level of security required. Budget and timeline must also be taken into account when selecting a service provider. With the right types of penetration testing, an organization can be confident in its security posture. They can be sure of their ability to respond to threats quickly and effectively. organization.
Best Practices for Conducting Penetration Testing
what applications and systems need testing. It’s also essential to look into what possible attack vectors may already exist. The team should also have an understanding of the tools and technologies that will be used.
After that, the next step is to create an ethical hacking plan. This plan should include detailed information on the scope of the test and the resources that will be used. It also includes the expectations and limitations of the testing team, the length of the test, and the resources needed.
Then, the team should use the latest tools and techniques to properly test the applications and systems. They should document all of their results, and report any and all findings. Finally, they should thoroughly clean up all activity after the test. Following these best practices can help to ensure that the test is performed to the highest level of accuracy and security.
Understand the Value of Internal and External Penetration Testing
Internal and External Penetration Testing is a critical element of a secure IT infrastructure. By identifying and addressing security flaws, organizations can protect their systems from ever-increasing cyber threats.
As technology advances, so must organizations invest in these types of testing to ensure they are adequately protected. Make sure that your internal and external security is up to date. Contact an expert today to find out more about what types of testing you need.
Was this helpful? If so, please keep reading for more tech tips.