Background Information
Penetration testing (also known as pen testing or ethical hacking) is a method of testing the security of computer systems, networks, and web applications by simulating an attack from a malicious source.
The goal of a penetration test is to identify vulnerabilities in a system that could be exploited by attackers and to provide recommendations on how to mitigate or remediate those vulnerabilities. Penetration testing typically involves a combination of automated and manual techniques to simulate a real-world attack scenario.
A penetration test can be conducted in various ways, such as black-box testing (where the tester has no prior knowledge of the system), white-box testing (where the tester has full knowledge of the system), and gray-box testing (where the tester has partial knowledge of the system).
Penetration testing is an important tool for organizations to assess the effectiveness of their security controls and to identify areas for improvement. It can help organizations to proactively identify and address potential security risks before they are exploited by malicious actors.