What is penetration testing?

Penetration testing is a systematic and authorized process where security professionals simulate cyber attacks on a network or system. This approach is used to evaluate the security posture of the target by identifying vulnerabilities that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors. The primary goal is to uncover weaknesses before they can be exploited in a real-world attack, allowing organizations to strengthen their defenses and improve their overall security measures.

By conducting penetration tests, organizations can gather valuable insights about their security infrastructure and policies, giving them the opportunity to remediate vulnerabilities proactively. This contrasts sharply with unauthorized attacks, which are illegal and do not provide the same benefits of improvement, as they lack the consent and oversight that is essential for ethical security assessments. Furthermore, the focus on user access rights and physical security assessments does not align with the specific intent and methodology of penetration testing, which is centered around the simulation of cyber threats.