What is the purpose of a penetration test?

The purpose of a penetration test is to simulate cyberattacks to evaluate the security of a system. This involves ethical hacking where security professionals attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in the network, applications, and systems, much like a malicious actor would. The goal is to identify weaknesses before they can be exploited by actual attackers, thus providing an organization with valuable insights to strengthen their defenses.

This proactive approach allows for thorough assessments of security measures, helping organizations prioritize and address the most critical vulnerabilities to enhance their overall security posture. By understanding how an attacker might gain unauthorized access or exploit system weaknesses, organizations can implement the necessary safeguards to protect their sensitive data and resources.