Identify risks from the outside in

Your internet-facing assets are the front door to your business. We assess them from the outside in, like a real attacker would.

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External Penetration Testing

Identify exposed services and weak external defences

Our penetration testers review your internet-facing systems to uncover risks like exposed services, outdated software, and weak authentication. We assess patch levels, identify misconfigurations and check whether admin portals or forgotten services can be exploited. Testing is conducted from the public internet, with or without prior knowledge of your environment, and may include unauthenticated enumeration.

Unlike red teaming, this test does not include social engineering or phishing attempts. It is focused on identifying how exposed you are to an attacker with no internal access.

Uncover outdated or misconfigured public-facing services
Identify exposed login portals and forgotten subdomains
Highlight weak or default credentials on external systems

Service detail

External penetration testing to uncover real-world exposure

How exposed are your public-facing systems to real-world attackers? Our external testing reveals the gaps that leave your business vulnerable before someone else finds them.

Expose weaknesses before attackers do

Go beyond automated scans

We use attacker-style reconnaissance and exploitation techniques to identify vulnerabilities across your external surface. From open ports to forgotten admin panels, we show you how an attacker would target your systems.

Identify exposed services, admin panels and forgotten assets
Detect outdated software, misconfigurations and open ports
Flag risks like default passwords or unauthenticated access points

Our delivery process

How is it delivered

Our external penetration tests assess your internet-facing assets from an attacker’s point of view with no internal access and minimal assumptions. The process is structured and transparent, designed to reveal real risks that matter most.

Define scope and attack surface

We identify your exposed infrastructure using your provided asset list or open-source intelligence.

Simulate unauthenticated attacks

Our consultants simulate attacker behaviour by running both passive and active tests.

Report delivery and support

You’ll receive a prioritised report with clear explanations of risks, impacted systems and tailored recommendations.

Benefits

Why choose Bastion for external testing

We assess your external environment the same way an attacker would. Our goal is to help you understand your exposure and take action to strengthen your perimeter.

In-depth testing

We go beyond surface scans. Our team emulates adversaries using open-source research, enumeration and real-world techniques to uncover vulnerabilities

Focused on what matters most

We prioritise findings by real-world impact so you can fix critical issues fast. No more wasting time on noise or false positives.

Clarity you can act on

Our reports are built for action. You get clear visuals, risk summaries and next steps that your team can use straight away to improve security.

What comes next

Expand your security coverage

Once testing is complete, we can support your next steps. From engineering guidance to detection and response services, we help you secure your perimeter and reduce future risk.

Engineering support to remediate exposed services and misconfigurations
Integration of threat detection and continuous monitoring capabilities
Follow-up testing or escalation to a red team engagement

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Executive and Board Security Governance Training

We train executives and boards on their cybersecurity oversight role — focusing on risk framing, accountability, and key governance responsibilities.

Instructor Led ISO27001 Training

This instructor-led course equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to become certified to lead, plan, and conduct ISO 27001 audits.

Frequently asked questions

From risk assessment to rapid response - we’re with you every step of the way.

What is an external penetration test?

An external penetration test simulates how an attacker would target your internet-facing systems. It identifies real-world risks like exposed services, weak authentication or outdated software, all without internal access.

How is an external penentration test different from a vulnerability scan?

A vulnerability scan checks for known weaknesses using automated tools. An external penetration test goes further by simulating attacker behaviour to validate those risks and uncover more complex issues.

Will the testing affect our systems or customers?

External testing is carefully scoped to avoid disruption. We work with you to define safe boundaries and use non-intrusive methods unless otherwise agreed.

What will I get after the test?

You’ll receive a prioritised report that explains the risks, affected assets and practical next steps. We also provide remediation advice and support if needed.