The importance of regular penetration testing cannot be overstated. It's a proactive approach that helps organisations identify and address vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.

However, a crucial question often arises: Should you opt for internal or external penetration testing? 

Let’s help guide you through the decision-making process to help you determine which path is right for your organisation.

Understanding Internal Penetration Testing:

Internal penetration testing focuses on evaluating your organisation's security from within. Here's what you need to know:

Insider Perspective:

• Internal testing simulates threats originating from within your organisation. This approach helps uncover vulnerabilities that could be exploited by insider threats (employees with malicious intent or malicious actors that have infiltrated your organisation) or by a successful phishing attempt on employees.
  

Detailed Assessment: 

• Testers conducting internal penetration tests possess intimate knowledge of your internal infrastructure. This enables a thorough assessment of internal systems, applications, and data.
  

Insider Threat Mitigation: 

• By revealing vulnerabilities from an insider's viewpoint, internal testing allows organisations to proactively address security gaps, reducing the risk of data breaches and insider threats.

Exploring External Penetration Testing:

On the flip side, external penetration testing examines your organisation's security from an external perspective:

Realistic Simulation: 

• External testing replicates real-world cyber attacks by assessing how external threats might exploit vulnerabilities in your network, applications, or web services.
  

Lack of Inside Knowledge: 

• Testers performing external tests have no special knowledge of your internal infrastructure, only knowledge obtained from Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT). This provides an objective evaluation of your external defences.
  

External Threat Defense: 

• This type of testing identifies potential entry points for cybercriminals and evaluates the strength of external defences, ensuring a robust cybersecurity strategy.

Choosing the Right Path:

The decision between internal and external penetration testing hinges on your organisation's specific needs and objectives. Here are some factors to consider:

Risk Landscape:

• Evaluate the types of threats your organisation is most concerned about. Internal testing is ideal for addressing insider threats or potential actions a malicious actor could perform if penetrated, while external testing is designed to defend against external attackers.
  

Comprehensive Coverage: 

• In many cases, a combination of both internal and external testing provides comprehensive security coverage. This approach ensures vulnerabilities from all angles are identified and remediated.
  

Compliance Requirements: 

• Depending on industry regulations and compliance standards, you may be required to perform one type of testing over the other. Ensure your choice aligns with legal and regulatory requirements.

Both approaches offer valuable insights and have their unique strengths. At Periculo we can help you understand your organisation's specific security needs and risk profile, you can then make an informed choice that strengthens your cybersecurity posture and protects your digital assets. With the ultimate goal which remains the same, safeguarding your organisation against the ever-present threat of cyberattacks.

‍