The threats to cybersecurity are occurring at an unprecedented rate, and therefore, security testing must ensure organisational protection. External network penetration testing plays a pivotal role in helping you discover the vulnerabilities that can be used by malicious individuals outside your network perimeter.
Understanding External vs Internal Network Testing
External penetration testing acts as a simulation of attacks originating outside the network of your company, on the publicly exposed systems, applications, and services. In contrast to internal testing, which presupposes that the attacker has already accessed the network, external testing is concerned with early entry and perimeter defences.
Key Aspects of External Network Penetration Testing
Scope and Target Selection
Defining clear testing parameters ensures comprehensive coverage whilst avoiding disruption to business operations. Target selection typically includes:
Public-facing web applications and services
Email servers and domain name systems
Network infrastructure components
Wireless access points and remote access solutions
Cloud-based services and third-party integrations
Common Tools and Techniques
The network mappers will detect live hosts and open ports, and the vulnerability scanner can identify any weak spots in the system. Application-layer security is tested using web application testing equipment, and security of the wireless network is tested using wireless testing equipment.
Automated tools do provide broad coverage; however, complex vulnerabilities are likely to be identified using manual techniques. Both methods offer the most comprehensive evaluation possible.
Strategic Implementation Framework
Phase 1: Reconnaissance and Information Gathering
Now we have set the implementation in motion. In the first phase, we want to have a solid reconnaissance plan. Here we will gather information from public sources and social media to create a list of domains to look into. Creating tools to collect as much data as possible will be very important through this process. Here, you want to gather lots of information while remaining unnoticed.
Automated domain scanning, subdomain enumeration, and service fingerprinting are all great reconnaissance techniques that will help uncover meaningful information that will assist us in our next steps in the testing process.
Phase 2: Vulnerability Assessment and Exploitation
Access target systems systematically using scanning tools. You should strike a reasonable balance between completeness and operational security, as reducing false positives will be crucial during this step and will require validation through manual testing at some stage within the engineering process.
You will need to consider the exploitation frameworks you select for assessment and develop a careful methodology or protocols for testing the possible vulnerabilities that you exploit. Record all your findings, including steps to reproduce those findings, and document the potential impacts on the organisation's business.
Phase 3: Post-Exploitation and Reporting
When you are successful in exploitation, you will need to document everything you observed, while immediately containing the exploitation on the target system(s). Implement protocols to capture evidence of the vulnerabilities while ensuring that the systems were not damaged and that no data was lost. Your documentation or reporting frameworks should convert or translate technical findings into business-relevant vulnerabilities or risks.
Integration with Social Engineering Components
Social engineering awareness training complements technical testing by addressing human vulnerabilities that technical tools cannot detect. Combining network testing with social engineering assessments provides a comprehensive security evaluation.
Human factors often represent the weakest security links, making integrated testing approaches significantly more effective than purely technical assessments.
Best Practices for Tool Implementation
Regular Update Protocols
Implement a schedule to regularly update all testing tools. Vulnerability databases must be regularly updated to keep pace with the rapid changes in the threat landscape. Automated updates can reduce administrative overhead while ensuring that testing tools utilise current threat intelligence.
Quality Assurance and Validation
Establish multiple validation steps before incorporating any testing results into a client's report. False positives waste valuable resources and damage the credibility of your report. Verify the accuracy of all automated findings manually to confirm there are no mistakes made before you report the vulnerability, and to analyse not only its implications, but also why the vulnerability exists.
Documentation and Knowledge Management
Create and maintain documentation detailing each tool's configurations, testing methodology, and historical findings. Knowledge management software facilitates collaboration by providing a centralised repository for all users to access. Documentation of testing supports the delivery of consistent approaches to testing across different engagements.
SecDesk's Wholistic Approach
SecDesk focuses on developing strategic external penetration testing programs fit to the organisation's needs and structure. Their certified ethical hackers utilise state-of-the-art tools and techniques to identify vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for remedying identified weaknesses.
By incorporating a subscription model, SecDesk enables organisations to conduct external penetration testing at regular intervals, allowing for continuous security enhancement versus point-in-time assessments. This aligns with the current threat landscape, where organisations require ongoing monitoring rather than annual testing cycles.
SecDesk's integrated model combines technical network testing and security awareness training, thereby addressing both human and technical vulnerabilities through comprehensive testing. Additionally, their delivery model can be adjusted monthly to meet the organisation's changing security requirements.
Next Steps
Conducting a practical external penetration test involves planning, selecting the right tools, and executing the test. Balancing coverage vs execution while ensuring that both documentation and reporting are clear is the key to success.
Want to improve your external security posture? Contact SecDesk today for a free consultation and see how their strategic testing approach can enhance your organisation's security posture.
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