What is Penetration Testing?

Penetration TestingPenetration testing (pen testing) is an authorised simulated cyberattack performed against an organisation's systems to identify exploitable vulnerabilities before real attackers do.

Penetration Testing Explained in Detail

Penetration testers — also known as ethical hackers — use the same techniques, tools, and methodologies as malicious actors, but with explicit permission and defined scope.

Types of Penetration Tests

  • Black box — Tester has no prior knowledge of the target environment.
  • White box — Tester has full access to source code, architecture diagrams, and credentials.
  • Grey box — Tester has partial knowledge, simulating an insider threat or compromised user.

Common Methodologies

Industry-standard frameworks include OWASP Testing Guide, PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard), and OSSTMM (Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual).

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