What is Penetration Testing?

Penetration testing, also known as pen testing or ethical hacking, is the process of testing a computer system, network or web application to find vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. Penetration tests can be used to test both the security of an organization’s internal networks and systems, as well as the security of its external facing systems and applications.

Penetration testing is an important part of any organization’s security posture, as it can help to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cyber criminals. In many cases, penetration tests can also help to identify weaknesses in an organization’s security defenses, which can be addressed to improve the overall security of the organization.

When conducting a penetration test, ethical hackers will attempt to exploit any vulnerabilities they find in order to gain access to sensitive data or systems. This process can help to identify what vulnerabilities exist and how they could be exploited, as well as help organizations to understand the risks associated with these vulnerabilities.

Organizations should consider performing penetration tests on a regular basis, as new vulnerabilities are constantly being discovered. Additionally, it is important to ensure that penetration tests are conducted by qualified and experienced ethical hackers.