What is a Penetration Test?

A penetration test (pentest) is a simulated cyberattack against your computer system to check for exploitable vulnerabilities.

It involves ethical hackers attempting to bypass security controls to gain unauthorized access to data or systems. The goal is to identify weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them.

The frequency of pentests depends on various factors like industry, data sensitivity, and regulatory requirements. Generally, organizations should conduct pentests at least annually, or more frequently if significant changes are made to their systems or security posture. Regular testing helps maintain a strong security stance.