Step# 1 - Assessment

Imagine your business as a house with many doors and windows. An external penetration test is like hiring a team of security experts to pretend to be burglars trying to break into your house from the outside. Here's how it works in simpler terms:

1. Checking Around: First, the security team looks around your house (your business) from the outside. They try to see where all the doors and windows are and if they can find any weak spots or easy entry points.

2. Trying Keys: Just like a burglar might try different keys to see if they can unlock your doors, the security team uses special tools to see if they can find any easy ways to get into your computer systems or networks.

3. Testing the Locks: If they find a door or window that seems easy to open, they'll try to open it just like a burglar would. They might use tricks or tools to see if they can get past your security measures.

4. Sneaking In: If they manage to unlock a door or window, they'll pretend to be sneaky burglars and try to get further into your house. They'll see if they can get access to more sensitive areas, like your computer files or customer information.

5. Looking for Treasures: Once inside, they'll see what they can find. They might look for valuable things like your business secrets or customer data. They'll also check if they can mess things up or cause problems.

6. Making a Report: Finally, they write up a detailed report of everything they found, including any weak spots they think you should fix. They'll give you advice on how to make your house (your business) more secure against real burglars (cyber attackers).

In simple terms, an external penetration test helps you understand where your business might be vulnerable to cyber attacks from the outside, so you can take steps to protect yourself better. It's like having someone check your locks and windows to make sure your house is safe from burglars, but for your computer systems and networks instead.