External and internal infrastructure penetration testing are two different approaches to identifying vulnerabilities in an organisation’s network and systems.
External penetration testing is conducted from outside an organisation’s network by a tester who simulates an attack from an external threat actor. The goal of external penetration testing is to identify vulnerabilities that a threat actor could exploit to gain unauthorised access to an organisation’s network and systems. This type of testing can help to identify weaknesses in perimeter defences, and remote access technologies, whilst also identifying ‘low hanging fruit’ issues within web applications. External testing is important for identifying vulnerabilities that could be exploited by external attackers.
Internal penetration testing, on the other hand, is conducted from within an organisation’s network by a tester who has access to the internal systems and resources. The goal of internal penetration testing is to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an insider threat or an attacker who has gained access to the internal network. This type of testing can help to identify weaknesses in access controls, privilege escalation, and network segmentation. Internal testing is particularly important for identifying threats from insiders or those who have already gained access to the internal network.
It’s important to note that both internal and external testing should be conducted regularly to ensure that an organisation’s security posture remains strong. Additionally, it’s important to work with experienced and reputable testing firms to ensure that testing is conducted effectively and without causing harm to systems or data.
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