What is Penetration test?

What is Penetration Testing?

A penetration test (often called a "pen test" or "ethical hacking") is an authorized, simulated cyberattack on a computer system, network, application, or other IT infrastructure. The primary goal is to identify security weaknesses (vulnerabilities) that a real attacker could exploit, and then provide actionable recommendations to mitigate those risks.

Key characteristics of penetration testing:

• Simulated Attack: It's a controlled, ethical attempt to breach security, mimicking the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) of malicious attackers.
• Authorized: Crucially, it's performed with the explicit permission of the system owner, often with a clearly defined "scope" (what can be tested) and "rules of engagement" (how it can be tested).
• Vulnerability Identification: The main objective is to find exploitable weaknesses, misconfigurations, or logic flaws that automated vulnerability scanners might miss.
• Risk Assessment: It helps organizations understand the real-world impact of discovered vulnerabilities and prioritize remediation efforts based on the potential business risk.
• Proactive Defense: By uncovering weaknesses before malicious actors do, organizations can strengthen their defenses and improve their overall security posture.