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External Penetration Testing
in Houston

// Testing Houston's Perimeter

Houston's Energy Corridor, the Texas Medical Center, and the Port of Houston all depend on systems reachable from the internet. An external penetration test shows you exactly what a real attacker would find looking at your business from outside, before they find it themselves.

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Why Houston businesses get tested

The local threat landscape

Energy companies with internet-facing SCADA gateways, healthcare organizations under HIPAA, and logistics companies connected to Port operations are the most common external testing engagements we see in Houston.

We work with businesses at every stage, from a first-ever security assessment before an audit to full external penetration testing as part of an ongoing compliance program. No retainer. Fixed scope. You know what you're paying before we start.

// Relevant compliance frameworks
HIPAA NERC CIP SOC 2 PCI-DSS
// Industries we serve in Houston
Energy & Oil/Gas Healthcare & Life Sciences Manufacturing Logistics & Port Operations
What we test

Everything your business exposes to the internet

An external penetration test starts from the same position a real attacker does: outside your network, on the internet, with nothing but what's publicly visible. We look for every way in that a threat actor could exploit.

This isn't automated scanning with a report attached. We use tools to find targets, then we manually attempt to exploit what we find. Vulnerabilities that scanners flag but can't confirm as exploitable, we test by hand. The report reflects what we could actually do, not what a tool guessed might be possible.

Typical turnaround is 5 to 10 business days from testing start to report delivery, depending on scope.

"Assume nothing is safe until you've verified it. That's not paranoia. That's the job."
— The Xero Trust Approach
What's included

Scope and deliverables

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Public IPs and domainsFirewalls, mail servers, and any service visible from the internet.
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Web applications and portalsCustomer logins, admin panels, APIs, and browser-accessible tools.
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VPNs and remote accessAny endpoint used for remote access into the internal network.
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Manual exploitationWe attempt to exploit findings, not just flag them. No false positives.
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CVSS-scored findings reportEvery finding rated by severity with remediation guidance.
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Debrief callWe walk through results with you and answer questions about remediation priorities.
Who it's for

Any Texas business with an internet presence

If your business can be reached from the internet, an attacker can try to get in. External testing tells you what they'd find.

PCI DSS compliance
PCI DSS requires an annual external penetration test for any business that processes credit card payments. Our reports are formatted to satisfy your compliance documentation requirements.
HIPAA-covered entities
Healthcare practices, dental offices, and any business handling patient health information need documented security risk assessments. External testing of patient-facing systems is a common first step.
SOC 2 preparation
If you're pursuing SOC 2 Type I or II, penetration testing is expected evidence. External testing of systems that handle customer data directly supports your audit package.
Cyber insurance
Many carriers now ask for evidence of external security testing at renewal. A completed external pentest with a findings report can satisfy this requirement and support your renewal discussion.
First security assessment
If you've never had a security assessment, external testing is the right starting point. It covers your highest-exposure surface and gives you a clear baseline of what needs to be fixed.
After significant changes
New systems, migrations, new web applications, or significant infrastructure changes are good reasons to test. You want to confirm the changes didn't introduce new exposure.
Pricing

Fixed scope. No surprise invoices.

Starting price covers a standard scope: up to 5 external IP addresses or domains, or one web application. We confirm exact scope and pricing on the scoping call before any work begins.

Larger scopes, web application testing across multiple applications, or compliance-formatted report requirements affect final pricing. We'll tell you exactly what to expect before you commit.

// Better together
Add internal testing for full coverage
Pair external with internal penetration testing to understand both how someone gets in and what they can do once inside. The Bundle covers both in one engagement, starting at $8,500, and includes 8 hours of remediation support.
About Internal Testing →
Under 24 hours
How long it takes attackers to scan the entire internet for exposed systems
External Penetration Test
$4,500
starting price · fixed scope
Includes up to 5 external IPs/domains or 1 web application. Manual exploitation, CVSS-scored report, and debrief call. Compliance-formatted output available.
Get a Quote → Book a Call

Not sure if you need a full pentest? A vulnerability scan starts at $1,000.

Related services

Other ways we can help

// Service
Internal Penetration Test
What can an attacker do once they're inside? Pair with external testing for full coverage.
From $6,000
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// Overview
Penetration Testing Services
All pentest options, pricing, and how the process works from start to finish.
From $4,500
→
Common Questions

External Penetration Testing in Houston: FAQ

How much does an external penetration test cost in Houston?
Xero Trust Security offers fixed-price external penetration testing in Houston, starting at $4,500 for a standard scope of up to 5 external IPs or domains, or one web application. Plain-English reports, no hidden fees, no retainer.
What's included in an external penetration test?
Manual exploitation, not just automated scanning, a CVSS-scored findings report, plain-English remediation guidance, and a debrief call.
Do I need external testing if I'm a small business in Houston?
Small businesses are frequently targeted precisely because attackers assume their defenses are weaker. External testing shows you exactly what's reachable from the internet before an attacker finds it. Xero Trust Security specializes in right-sized assessments for businesses in Houston that don't need enterprise pricing.
How long does an external penetration test take?
Typical turnaround is 5 to 10 business days from testing start to report delivery, depending on scope.
Ready to get started?

Find out what an attacker
would find first.

Request a quote and we'll follow up within one business day to confirm scope, answer questions, and get your engagement scheduled.

Get a Quote → Book a Free Call