What is "penetration testing"?

Penetration testing refers to the process of simulating attacks on a computer system, network, or web application to identify vulnerabilities that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors. This approach helps organizations to understand their security weaknesses by putting their defenses to the test in a controlled environment. The goal of penetration testing is not just to find weaknesses but also to evaluate the effectiveness of security measures in place and to ensure that vulnerabilities are addressed before they can be exploited in real-life attacks.

By conducting penetration tests, organizations can proactively discover and remediate security flaws, thereby improving their overall cybersecurity posture. This practice is essential in today’s digital landscape, where new vulnerabilities are constantly emerging, and cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated.