Understanding External Penetration Testing

External penetration testing focuses on evaluating the security of an organization by examining externally facing IP addresses and on-prem resources. This type of testing not only assesses traditional infrastructure but increasingly incorporates cloud resources and software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications. While the core goal is to identify vulnerabilities in external systems, it is essential to note that external pen tests are not meant to conduct in-depth web application assessments; they serve primarily as an introductory evaluation. For example, basic tests may include checking for common vulnerabilities like user enumeration flaws in identity providers and ensuring APIs function correctly, but they do not replace comprehensive web application testing.