Internal pentesting is conducted from within the organization’s network by a tester who has access to the internal network. External pentesting is conducted from outside the organization’s network and simulates an attack on public-facing systems. The primary difference is the point of origin of the test, with internal testing being more focused on internal network security measures while external testing focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in systems that are accessible from the internet.

Client data protection is our priority. We use non-destructive methods during our assessments and maintain strict confidentiality.

In general, there is no need for anything special to prepare for a penetration test with respect to how security controls are managed on a day-to-day basis. Remember that a penetration test is a point-in-time review of the environment. An organization should expect to participate in preparation activities related to planning the penetration test itself to ensure the test is performed under controlled conditions. Some preparation related to positioning the tester may be needed when testing is being performed onsite. The hiring company should be prepared to have documentation available that details the in-scope IP ranges, and also be ready to prepare test environments. During internal onsite network penetration tests, often times visitor access badges are required for the penetration testers.

Internal penetration testing can identify a range of vulnerabilities such as system misconfigurations, outdated or vulnerable software, weak passwords and access controls, insider threats, inadequate network segmentation, flaws in data protection, and insufficient monitoring. Addressing these issues helps mitigate the risk of internal threats and enhances security.