Ethical hacking is an essential method of locating vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and web applications, commonly referred to as penetration testing. These security tests are supposed to simulate real-life attacks by which vulnerabilities can be identified before the bad actors learn to exploit them. External network penetration testing and web application penetration testing are two types of penetration testing that are very important for protecting digital assets. In this article, we’ll talk about how these two testing methodologies are important and how they fit into a complete cybersecurity plan.
What does it mean to do external network penetration testing?
External network penetration testing looks for weaknesses that can be used from outside the network. Hackers usually strike from outside an organization’s internal network in order to get into sensitive data, systems, or resources without permission. External network penetration testing checks the security of your organisation’s public-facing assets, like routers, firewalls, and web servers, to find any weak spots that hackers could use to get in.
As part of the testing process, the architecture, configuration, and any services that are open to the outside world that could be used by attackers to get in are all looked at. This involves checking for open ports, finding old software, and checking encryption methods. Companies can fix vulnerabilities before they become problems by doing this kind of penetration test. This makes sure that their systems are safe from threats from the outside.
Why It’s Important to Test Web Applications for Security
Web apps are the most important part of most businesses these days. These apps hold and manage private client information, from online stores to financial systems. Because of this, hackers love to target them. Online application penetration testing is the practice of checking the security of online apps to find weaknesses that could let hackers get into your data or access it without permission.
Web application penetration testing focuses on the application layer, while external network penetration testing looks at the whole network infrastructure. Some of the most common problems found during this type of testing are SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and weak authentication methods. Hackers can utilize these weaknesses to steal or change data, break into user accounts, or even take over the whole program.
What an External Network and Web Application Penetration Testing Work Together
Web application penetration testing looks at the security of the apps that run on these networks, whereas external network penetration testing looks at how to protect the network perimeter. Both are equally important and have different roles to play in a complete cybersecurity plan.
An external network penetration test could show that an organisation’s firewall is set up incorrectly, which lets bad traffic into the network. But it might not find problems with the web application itself, like an unsafe API or insufficient user authentication. Web application penetration testing may also identify serious issues with the apps as well but is not going to correct issues with the network infrastructure that is causing the issues.
The Importance of Penetration Testing in the Risk Management of Cybersecurity.
The aspect of penetration testing in the management of cybersecurity risks is critical since the vulnerability is identified prior to its exploitation by hackers. Penetration testing is necessary for organizations that depend heavily on their digital infrastructure to reduce risks. Without it, companies could lose money, hurt their reputations, and even face legal action. Organizations can stay ahead of the game when it comes to cybersecurity by frequently doing both external network penetration testing and web application penetration testing.
Conclusion
Penetration testing, which includes testing for weaknesses in external networks and web applications, is an important part of any cybersecurity plan. Organizations can lower risks and stop attacks from getting into their systems and data by finding weaknesses early. As cyber threats change, firms need to remain ahead by doing frequent penetration tests. Visit aardwolfsecurity.com to learn more about how to protect your network and applications from harmful threats if you need professional penetration testing services.
