Penetration Testing

What is Penetration Testing?

Penetration Testing (pentesting) is a proactive cybersecurity practice where authorized security professionals simulate real-world attacks to identify vulnerabilities and test the effectiveness of security controls. It goes beyond automated scanning to actively exploit weaknesses.

Phases of a Pen Test

1. Planning & Reconnaissance

• Define scope and objectives
• Gather information about the target
• Identify potential attack vectors

2. Scanning & Enumeration

• Use tools to discover open ports and services
• Map the network architecture
• Identify potential vulnerabilities

3. Exploitation

• Attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities
• Gain unauthorized access to systems
• Escalate privileges where possible

4. Post-Exploitation

• Document the extent of access gained
• Identify sensitive data and systems
• Test persistence mechanisms

5. Reporting & Remediation

• Document all findings with evidence
• Provide actionable remediation steps
• Rate vulnerabilities by severity

Types of Penetration Tests

• Black Box – No prior knowledge of the target
• White Box – Full knowledge of systems and architecture
• Gray Box – Limited knowledge of the target
• Web Application – Focused on web-based systems
• Network – Testing network infrastructure
• Social Engineering – Testing human vulnerabilities

Best Practices

• Clearly define scope and rules of engagement
• Use professional, certified testers
• Combine automated and manual methods
• Remediate findings promptly
• Conduct regular testing (quarterly or annually)
• Document all activities and findings