Since 2001, The Saturn Partners has provided external vulnerability assessments across nearly every sector. What we’ve learned in over two decades is this: no matter the industry, maintaining a hardened external perimeter is critical—and the right cybersecurity strategy is never one-size-fits-all.
Today, external threats are more aggressive and sophisticated than ever. That’s why our best-practice recommendation is to bundle three key services—hands-on penetration testing, deployment of a Virtual Security Operations Center (vSOC), and targeted social engineering campaigns—to create a unified, proactive defense posture.
Why vSOC Is a Smart Move for Most Organizations
Staffing a 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) is simply not feasible for most small to mid-sized organizations. Hiring and retaining cybersecurity talent is an uphill battle, and the cost of standing up a full SOC can easily surpass seven figures annually.
Enter the vSOC. Virtual SOCs offer around-the-clock threat monitoring, real-time prevention, and rapid incident response—all without the capital outlay of building a facility or hiring full-time analysts. And when paired with regular penetration testing by experienced third-party engineers, the result is a resilient and responsive security program customized to your unique risk profile.
Our recommendation:
- Without a vSOC or internal SOC: conduct penetration testing quarterly
- With a vSOC in place: testing at least twice a year
The Changing Threat Landscape
Cybercriminals are evolving their tactics daily. Here are a few external trends we’re seeing:
- A surge in unpatched zero-day vulnerabilities being exploited
- Increasing use of malicious search engine ads that lead to phishing websites
- AI-generated phishing campaigns that are harder than ever to detect
- Greater emphasis on email authentication frameworks like SPF, DKIM, and DMARC
These evolving threats make external defense all the more vital. Your organization needs tools and talent that detect, respond, and learn from attacks in real time.
What Strong External Cybersecurity Looks Like
To keep your perimeter secure, we suggest a layered strategy built on three essential pillars:
1. External Penetration Testing & Patch Validation
Externally facing assets are often the first line of attack. That’s why regular testing is non-negotiable. Ensure you’re:
- Patching all known vulnerabilities in a timely manner
- Validating those patches through third-party testing
- Extending protections beyond IT to OT/ICS and IIoT assets, which are often overlooked but highly vulnerable
Even after all these years, we’re still seeing critical patches ignored or delayed—especially in industrial environments where uptime often takes priority over cybersecurity. That must change.
2. Virtual SOC (vSOC) Deployment
A vSOC gives you 24/7 monitoring, anomaly detection, and rapid remediation—all critical when you’re dealing with active threats targeting your network, supply chain, and external assets. When you can’t afford to be reactive, a vSOC keeps your team proactive.
3. Social Engineering Assessments
Humans remain the biggest security gap. Social engineering testing helps uncover:
- Who in your organization clicks suspicious links or opens malicious attachments
- Whether frontline employees understand how to handle unsolicited requests
- How vulnerable your team is to on-site or voice phishing attempts
Many employees—especially digital natives under 40—are used to sharing freely on social media. That habit can translate into dangerous oversharing in the workplace, making them ideal targets for attackers. A social engineering campaign can help surface these risks before they become breaches.
Final Thoughts
No single tool or service can protect your organization from today’s external cyber threats. But when you bundle hands-on penetration testing, social engineering, and a vSOC, you create a layered, proactive strategy that keeps your business ahead of the curve—and the attackers.
Whether you’re in manufacturing, healthcare, finance, or logistics, these three services work together to harden your external perimeter and reduce your organization’s exposure to evolving threats.
Let The Saturn Partners help you build a cybersecurity bundle that fits your needs and budget. Contact us today to learn more.