External Network Penetration Test

A compass resting on a wooden surface next to a frosted window.

Purpose.

  • Identify and exploit weaknesses in your internet-facing systems before attackers do.

  • We simulate real-world external attacks to determine what’s accessible from the public internet — including exposed services, outdated software, weak credentials, and cloud misconfigurations.

A laptop on a wooden desk displaying the word 'Goals' on its screen, with a potted aloe vera plant to the left and a closed notebook with a pen on it to the right.

Objectives.

  • Discover publicly accessible assets and services

  • Identify and exploit vulnerabilities in perimeter systems

  • Validate network segmentation and firewall effectiveness

  • Test exposure of VPNs, remote access, and email gateways

  • Provide actionable remediation guidance and prioritized fixes

Request

Rules of Engagement

  • Authorized Scope: Testing covers only assets and systems defined in the signed SOW; all activities are conducted with prior written authorization.

  • Confidentiality: All data and findings are handled securely, with evidence shared only through encrypted channels and retained per client agreement.

Methodology. Testing follows:

  • NIST SP 800-115, OWASP Testing Guide, and PTES standards

  • Reconnaissance → Enumeration → Exploitation → Privilege Escalation → Reporting

  • Manual verification of findings no automated false positives)

  • Controlled exploitation under strict authorization

Deliverables

  • Executive Summary (plain-language business rick overview)

  • Technical Findings Report (detailed vulnerabilities, CVSS scoring, evidence)

  • Remediation Plan (prioritized patch and configuration guidance)

  • Post-Engagement Review (optional walkthrough meeting)

Engagement Duration

  • Small environment: 3–5 days

  • Medium enterprise: 1–2 weeks (11-50 assets)

  • Includes optional 30-day re-test after remediation

Why It Matters

  • Prevent breaches by identifying exploitable internet exposures

  • Verify patch and firewall effectiveness

  • Satisfy PCI DSS 11.4 and SOC 2 security testing requirements

  • Demonstrate proactive security maturity to clients and auditors

Scope

  • Public IP ranges (corporate, cloud, hosting providers)

  • DNS records, mail servers, VPNs, and web portals

  • Cloud-hosted systems (AWS, Azure, GCP)

  • External web apps tied to the corporate environment