What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing (pen testing) is a proactive security assessment methodology where authorized security professionals simulate real-world cyber attacks against systems, networks, or applications. The goal is to identify and exploit vulnerabilities before malicious actors do.
Types of Penetration Testing
- Black box: Tester has no prior knowledge of the target
- White box: Tester has full knowledge of the target architecture
- Gray box: Tester has partial knowledge, simulating an insider threat
- External: Testing from outside the network perimeter
- Internal: Testing from within the network
- Social engineering: Testing human factors and awareness
Penetration Testing Process
- Planning and scoping: Define objectives, scope, and rules of engagement
- Reconnaissance: Gather information about the target
- Vulnerability discovery: Identify potential vulnerabilities
- Exploitation: Attempt to exploit discovered vulnerabilities
- Post-exploitation: Assess the impact of successful exploits
- Reporting: Document findings with remediation recommendations
Regulatory Requirements
Many compliance frameworks, including SWIFT CSP, require regular penetration testing. IEC 62443 also includes testing requirements for both systems and components.
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