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fortify your digital perimeter

External Network Penetration Testing Services

Identify critical vulnerabilities before attackers do. Our external network penetration testing services uncover security gaps and provide fast, easy and actionable solutions to protect critical assets from cyber threats.

your holistic penetration testing company
Test Your Network In A Controlled Environment

More than 54% of companies use penetration testing to check their networks for vulnerabilities. External penetration testing services simulate real-world attacks on internet-facing assets within an organization, exposing their vulnerabilities in web applications, APIs and network infrastructure. At Astro, we combine manual and automated vulnerability scanning to quickly and fully identify any security weaknesses that could be exploited by external attackers. We then deliver actionable solutions and guidance that fully safeguard your assets against evolving cyber threats.

brought to you by the team that secured:
key facts

Astro at a Glance

100+
earned certifications across GIAC/SANS, ISC2, CompTIA, and more
100+
years of combined IT & cybersecurity experience
110,000+
investigations completed
1,000+
penetration tests completed
More about us
More about us
Confidence in Every Audit

100% money-back guarantee if we find zero vulnerabilities

We take security seriously and stand by the quality of our assessments. If our expert team conducts a full security audit and finds zero vulnerabilities in your system, we’ll issue a 100% money-back refund—no questions asked. This guarantee ensures that you receive real value from our services, whether it’s uncovering critical weaknesses or gaining full confidence in your security posture. With us, you get results or your investment back.

goals of external pentesting

Achieve Critical Cybersecurity Objectives

Astro applies industry-standard methods of ethical hacking to test your network from the perspective of an external malicious actor. Through this, you can achieve:

Mitigate Risks from External Threats

The main purpose of external penetration tests is to find flaws in firewalls and unpatched systems. These are critical exploit points where bad actors will attack, so by fixing them regularly, organizations reduce their risk of a breach. External tests reveal web application security vulnerabilities (such as XSS), but also focus on misconfigurations, open ports, exposed services and other externally exploitable weaknesses.

Meet Regulatory Compliance Requirements

Healthcare, fintech and government sectors require regular security testing to comply with HIPAA, GDPR, PCI-DSS and other regulations. This is most easily achieved with an external penetration test company like Astro that demonstrates due diligence, satisfies audit demands and is experienced with what is needed to avoid penalties from non-compliance.

Enhance Customer and Stakeholder Trust

By proactively detecting and stopping threats, you are better able to reassure clients, investors and partners of your commitment to security. By the time you have a breach, the reputational damage will already be done. Transparent reports to all relevant stakeholders help generate confidence in your ability to safeguard sensitive data and operations.

Optimize Security Budgets Efficiently

Astro’s external pen testing engagements provide more predictable costs than other security offerings, with no hidden fees or surprise expenses. Our reporting is based on prioritizing remediation based on risk severity. This allows for strategic allocation of resources to address high-impact vulnerabilities first, maximizing your ROI on cybersecurity investments.

services

Our External Network Penetration Service

ASTRO offers comprehensive external security penetration testing consultants for web applications, APIs and wireless networks. Our testers use a proven in-house combination of manual techniques and Microsoft-powered tools to conduct thorough examination of all relevant systems.

Through our well-tested methods, our team is able to deliver insights into an organization’s exploitable security weaknesses across the board. We are then able to provide a prioritized list of steps to fortify defenses. Our services also align with NIST, ISO 27001 and SOC 2 frameworks, with billing models tailored to SMBs and enterprises.

Certifications

We’re Certified Pentesters

Astro's team is certified to carry out pen testing services in line with the industry standards.

our process

Astro’s Proven Four-Step Delivery Process

Our external penetration testing services follow a rigorous battle-tested approach that rapidly empowers our clients with actionable remediation strategies.

Step 1. Scoping & Planning

We begin with collaborative workshops involving your IT, security and compliance teams. Together, we map your company’s internet-facing assets such as public IP ranges, domains, cloud environments, APIs, and web applications, to define the right testing boundaries for your infrastructure. During this phase, we also clarify compliance requirements.

Step 2. Reconnaissance & Vulnerability Scanning

Our methods involve a combination of Microsoft-powered tools and proprietary workflows. Our external penetration testers perform manual reconnaissance, mapping network infrastructure and probing DNS configurations to uncover more subtle misconfigurations that can be exploited in your network.

Step 3. Exploitation & Manual Testing

Our testers simulate various real-world attacks to exploit identified vulnerabilities. Some of these techniques include phishing simulations, cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks on web apps, and privilege escalation in cloud environments. We are also able to mimic the exploits of nation-state APT groups and ransomware operators.

Step 4. Reporting & Remediation Guidance

Once our testing is complete, we provide clients with encrypted, jargon-free reports organised in order of risk severity (critical, high, medium). Each finding in the report includes proof-of-concept exploit details, CVSS scores, and prioritized remediation guidance. For ongoing support, Astro also offers retainer services by our external security penetration testing consultants who validate fixes, update security policies, or serve as virtual SecOps extensions.

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Take the Next Step

Don't just react to security threats, anticipate them with the help of our external penetration testing consultants. Partner with Astro to ensure you are ready for tomorrow's evolving cyber landscape.

why us

Why Choose Astro InfoSec?

Astro InfoSec merges elite national-security expertise with enterprise-grade agility. Unlike most conventional network external penetration testing companies, our offering focuses on strategic collaboration, compliance readiness, and cutting-edge defense strategies.

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Nation-State-Grade Talent & Training

Our analysts undergo rigorous training programs designed by ex-NASA cybersecurity leaders, mastering the detection and neutralization of advanced cyber attacks. This expertise enables Astro to simulate advanced persistent threats (APTs) and provide penetration testing that exceeds standard compliance.

Seamless Microsoft Ecosystem Integration

We offer rapid deployment of security tools with minimal disruption to your business. By overlaying our external security penetration testing consultants onto your existing Microsoft infrastructure, we are able to eliminate configuration delays and begin seeing immediate threat visibility.

Scalable Engagements

We provide everything from a one-time network external penetration testing services to ongoing SecOps support. Astro’s engagement with your company scales with your needs. Fixed-price contracts guarantee budget predictability, while our subscription models provide continuous MXDR protection.

Mature Security Program Development

Resource-constrained teams can gain immediate access to enterprise-grade security strategies with Astro. Our external pen testing company framework is able to build mature security programs from scratch, seamlessly integrating architecture reviews, policy development, and staff training all in one package.

Testimonials

What Our Clients Say

“Partnering with Astro has been a game-changer for our cybersecurity posture. Their MXDR service is not only highly effective but backed by a team that exemplifies professionalism and urgency. They are always one step ahead, proactively identifying and addressing threats before they become problems.”
Aaron Nadon
Founder, Aidien IT
“Astro went above and beyond during our penetration testing engagement. Their detailed findings and tailored guidance showed they were truly invested in our success. We’ve never worked with a partner as dedicated to our security.”
Joe Stocker
CEO, Patriot Consulting
"Astro couldn't have been a better partner for our penetration test. They provided more than just a report — delivering clear, actionable recommendations to strengthen our cybersecurity. The team was highly responsive, communicative, and met every deadline. We highly recommend them and look forward to working together again."
Blockit Executive
"I couldn't have made a better choice. From their impressive backgrounds to their top-notch work, it's evident that they are dedicated to ensuring the security of their clients' businesses. If you're a business owner in need of cybersecurity solutions, I highly recommend Astro Information Security. Trust me, you need them on your side."
Cynthia Fleming
CEO, SCC MedQR
“What set Astro apart during our red team engagement was their willingness to go above and beyond. They meticulously scoped key deliverables to align with our business needs and worked through the holiday season to meet our timeline. Their professionalism and commitment to being a true strategic partner was extremely evident.”
CIO, Private Equity Company
related services

Explore More Services:

Network Penetration Testing
Assess the security of your network infrastructure by simulating real-world attacks.
Internal Network Penetration Testing
Evaluate the security of your internal systems by simulating attacks from within your organization.
Web Application Penetration Testing
Test your web applications for security flaws by simulating targeted attacks.
questions & answers

Frequently asked questions

What distinguishes external from internal penetration testing?

External penetration testing services focus on simulating attacks from external attackers on a company’s internet-facing assets (web apps, APIs, network infrastructure). Internal tests look at what happens within one’s internal networks after a breach has already occurred. Astro specializes as an external penetration test company that prioritizes identifying vulnerabilities hackers exploit from the outside, but not as much on what a company can do once a hacker has gained access to mitigate damage, which is the realm of internal penetration testing.

Do you assist with remediation after testing?

Yes. Final reports include prioritized remediation guidance that will provide clear measures we recommend to implement. This may include proof-of-concept exploits and various actionable steps to patch security weaknesses. We also give our clients the option of taking on virtual SecOps retainers. These external security penetration testing consultants will assist with implementing security controls and monitoring post-remediation if you desire a more hands-on, fully automated approach to your security.

How often should my company perform external network penetration testing?

The minimal frequency of conducting external network pentesting is at least once a year. This can be done more often on request, prompted by such events as significant changes to your digital infrastructure, new internet-facing applications deployed, or after a security incident.

Does external pentesting cover web applications as well? 

Yes, but only those applications that are publicly facing. If the web app contains authorization or internal functionalities, it will be subject to specialized web app penetration testing instead.

What’s the difference between vulnerability scanning and external network pentesting?

Vulnerability scanning is typically less in-depth than pentesting, and involves automated scanning for known vulnerabilities. External network pentesting simulates real-world attacks and thus involves both automated and manual inspection methods, resulting in a more comprehensive map of a company’s security weaknesses.