A penetration test (or pen test) is a simulated cyberattack. Security professionals try to break into systems using the same tools and techniques as real-world hackers. This is done with the organization's permission and full cooperation to uncover security gaps, configuration errors, and system weaknesses. This is a proactive method for an organization to assess its security posture. In 2025, the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) tracks over 20,000 new vulnerabilities annually, with an increasing number of "zero-day" vulnerabilities—brand new flaws with no available patch—being actively exploited in the wild.
A penetration test (or pen test) is a simulated cyberattack. Security professionals try to break into systems using the same tools and techniques as real-world hackers. This is done with the organization's permission and full cooperation to uncover security gaps, configuration errors, and system weaknesses. This is a proactive method for an organization to assess its security posture. In 2025, the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) tracks over 20,000 new vulnerabilities annually, with an increasing number of "zero-day" vulnerabilities—brand new flaws with no available patch—being actively exploited in the wild.