External Infrastructure Penetration Testing, often called external network pen-testing, is a vital practice for businesses and organizations keen on detecting and rectifying vulnerabilities in their infrastructure. This blogpost zooms in on the benefits of practicing external security assessments.
What is an external network penetration test?
External penetration tests are carried out remotely by ethical hackers (or pentesters) in order to find weaknesses in external facing assets, such as internet-based applications, services and servers. These systems and devices are being regularly scanned by automated scripts and attackers all over the world looking for specific vulnerabilities and exploits present in the technologies used by your organizations, which increases the possibility that they are actively being exploited. The second part of the external pentest, is manually review and exploit these scan results.
Uncovering hidden weaknesses
One of the main advantages of external system penetration testing is its ability to identify vulnerabilities that may remain hidden until exploited by a malicious user. By identifying these vulnerabilities, organizations can work to strengthen their systems to prevent them from falling into the hands of cybercriminals.
Defense against active cyber attacks
The ever-changing cyber threat landscape requires potential threats to remain at the forefront. Testing external applications enables organizations to stay vigilant by identifying potential risks and vulnerabilities, reducing the likelihood of a successful cyberattack.
Incident response improvements
When a security breach occurs, an effective incident response plan is critical. External infrastructure penetration testing provides organizations with valuable insights into how they can improve their incident response processes, allowing them to better prevent and mitigate damage in the event of a security breach.
Compliance with EU regulations
There are more and more European regulations that require businesses in various sectors to comply with a basic set of security measures, for example the NIS2 regulations (click here for more information about NIS2) . External program penetration testing is a way to ensure compliance with these regulations and protect against costly fines and legal repercussions.
Protecting sensitive information
Organizations often have access to vaults of sensitive data, from customer data to proprietary analytics and intellectual property. External system penetration testing is a must-have exercise to protect the confidentiality of this information, protect the reputation and credibility of the organization.
Better to prevent than to cure
Investing in (External) Infrastructure Penetration Testing represents a proactive measure that reduces the risk of financial losses, reputational damage, and operational disruptions associated with a successful cyberattack. Prevention is often more cost-effective than dealing with the aftermath of an attack.
Competitive advantage and reputation
In a fiercely competitive landscape, demonstrating a robust commitment to cybersecurity can set your organization apart. Customers and partners are more likely to engage with a business that takes its security seriously, making (External) Infrastructure Penetration Testing an asset that bolsters your competitive edge.
Conclusion
External Infrastructure Penetration Testing is an essential component of modern cybersecurity, helping organizations to secure their external network infrastructure against emerging threats. By pinpointing and addressing vulnerabilities, improving defenses against cyberattacks, ensuring regulatory compliance, enhancing incident response capabilities, and shielding sensitive data a company tackles many birds with one stone.
