What Is Penetration Testing?
Penetration Testing — an authorised simulated cyberattack against a system to find exploitable weaknesses before real attackers do — ethical hacking with permission and a defined scope.
How it works
A penetration tester (with written authorisation) attempts to breach systems using the same techniques as real attackers — reconnaissance, exploiting vulnerabilities, escalating access — then reports what they found and how to fix it. Unlike a vulnerability scan (automated detection), a pen test actively exploits to prove real-world impact.
Why it matters
Pen testing is the offensive (red team) side of security, complementing the defensive SOC/blue team work CyberOps focuses on. It's a distinct career path — see CyberOps vs ethical hacking. The authorisation and scope are what separate it legally from criminal hacking.
Frequently asked questions
What is penetration testing?
An authorised simulated attack on a system to find and prove exploitable weaknesses before real attackers do — ethical hacking within a defined scope.
What is the difference between a pen test and a vulnerability scan?
A vulnerability scan automatically detects potential weaknesses; a pen test actively exploits them to demonstrate real-world impact and chained attacks.
Is penetration testing legal?
Only with explicit written authorisation and a defined scope — that permission is exactly what separates it from illegal hacking.
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