When we think of a hack, our mind typically jumps to something dramatic: a team of malicious hackers in hoodies, sitting typing furiously at a computer, trying to ‘break in’ to your systems. But what if ‘breaking in’ was only half of it, and the threat may already exist within your security systems?
In 2021, DarkSide hackers breached Colonial Pipeline– America’s largest fuel distribution system- using a single reused VPN password discovered on the dark web. The dormant account lacked multi-factor authentication. This led to a six-day shutdown, widespread fuel shortages across the East Coast, and a $4.4 million ransom payment.
An internal penetration test would have identified this vulnerability in minutes.
Unlike external assessments that focus on your public-facing defences, internal pentesting simulates what happens when an attacker already has a foothold within your organisation. It exposes the vulnerabilities lurking beyond your firewall and reveals exactly how far an adversary could travel through your network undetected.
This blog will break down what an internal infrastructure test is, the key benefits of internal network testing, and typical methodologies that testers follow when reviewing your internal systems.
Understanding Your Internal Infrastructure
Internal infrastructure refers to the internal network, systems, and applications within an organisation. Internal infrastructure penetration testing focuses on assessing the security of these internal systems and identifying potential entry points for malicious insiders or external attackers.
Understanding the internal infrastructure is crucial for recognising vulnerabilities and security weaknesses that could be exploited by internal threats or external attackers who gain access to the internal network. This type of testing can help organisations gain useful understandings of their internal environment and pinpoint areas that require improvement, leading to security adjustments that are both well-targeted and effective.
How does an internal infrastructure pentest work to identify vulnerabilities within your network?
Put simply, internal penetration testing methodologies involve simulating real-world attacks on your organisation’s internal infrastructure to identify vulnerabilities or security weaknesses that may be lurking there.
These methodologies are designed to mimic the actions of a malicious insider or an external attacker who has gained access to the internal network.
Expert pentesters will look at whether it is possible to escalate privileges within your workplace structures, gain access to sensitive data, and identify other known vulnerabilities commonly found within internal networks to provide you with a helpful evaluation of your security posture and potential risks.
Then, the testers will summarise all vulnerabilities found within your internal network and highlight areas of risk that may lead to new vulnerabilities in the future, allowing your security team to implement effective remediations before malicious hackers can exploit them.
Benefits of Internal Infrastructure Pentesting
Internal infrastructure pentesting is a core part of any thorough security strategy, helping organisations to safely identify vulnerabilities and security risks within their internal infrastructure. Internal pentesting also:
- Provides valuable insights into the organisation’s security posture and helps identify areas that require improvement.
- Helps prevent security breaches by identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious insiders or external attackers.
- Is essential for maintaining a strong security posture and protecting critical assets and sensitive data.
- Supports organisations in meeting regulatory and compliance frameworks like ISO27001.
- Builds customer trust and gives a competitive advantage against businesses who are not security testing.
Is Internal infrastructure Pentesting Right for You?
Internal infrastructure penetration testing is a great security exercise for organisations that want to understand and improve their internal security.
If your business stores important data, uses shared networks, or depends on systems that employees use daily (such as AWS and cloud services), internal infrastructure penetration testing can help ensure these systems are well-protected against threats. It also provides actionable insights to address potential insider threats effectively.
It’s also helpful for companies introducing new technology or experiencing rapid growth: whether you’re a start-up or rapidly scaling, regular internal testing is an excellent way to meet compliance needs and keep your systems and team safe.
Top Tip: Supplement with External Penetration Testing
For 360-degree security, it’s recommended that organisations focus not only on regular internal pentesting, but also external testing.
While internal pentesting assumes the threat is already within your network, external penetration testing focuses on your network perimeter- evaluating how attackers could break into your network. External penetration testing is essential for organisations that have external-facing systems or applications that are vulnerable to attack, and is the perfect counterpart to internal infrastructure testing.
A combination of internal and external infrastructure penetration testing provides the most comprehensive understanding of an organisation’s security posture, and is an excellent signal of security proactivity to partners and customers alike.
Best Practices for Infrastructure Penetration Testing
| Best-practice Area | Our Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Regular Testing | We recommend conducting regular internal infrastructure penetration tests to maintain security and address evolving threats. |
| Testing of New Systems | Ensure all new systems are tested before going live to identify and resolve vulnerabilities early. |
| Qualified Testers | Use experienced, properly qualified testers who understand the organisation’s internal infrastructure and security considerations. |
| Prioritised Remediation | Prioritise remediation steps based on the severity and impact of identified vulnerabilities and weaknesses. |
| Continuous Monitoring | Maintain ongoing monitoring and periodic testing to sustain a strong security posture and protect critical assets and sensitive data. |
Internal Infrastructure Penetration Testing: Tools and Techniques
Now that we’ve established the importance of internal infrastructure penetration testing, it’s important to invest in the right kinds of tools and techniques to ensure that your security efforts are effective.
Regular vulnerability scanning is an excellent addition to any regular pentesting programme as it provides oversight of any potential issues between tests. Vulnerability scanning tools can identify anomalous activity in your internal networks, such as unusual privilege escalations or lateral movement between network segments that shouldn’t normally communicate with each other.
With OnSecurity’s pentesting platform, businesses have access to continuous assurance all year round.
Penetration testing frameworks can also be a great way to structure the frequency of your pentests. They can also help you stay up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques to ensure that their testing is effective and comprehensive.
Overall, it’s important to remember that internal infrastructure penetration testing tools and techniques should be used alongside other security measures, such as patch management and access controls, to ensure your defences are well-proofed against malicious actors.
Take proactive measures to secure your internal networks today with OnSecurity’s internal infrastructure pentesting, hosted on our simple-to-use platform, empowering you with real-time pentest insights.
