Pentesters

Penetration testers, often called "pentesters" or "ethical hackers," are cybersecurity professionals who legally attempt to break into computer systems, networks, and applications on behalf of an organization. Their primary goal is to identify vulnerabilities that malicious actors could exploit. This process is a proactive security measure designed to improve an organization's defenses.

Pentesters use a variety of techniques and tools, mirroring those of actual attackers, to probe for weaknesses. These can include network scanning, vulnerability analysis, social engineering, and exploitation of known flaws. The scope of a penetration test is usually defined beforehand, specifying which systems and methods are permitted.

The findings of a penetration test are documented in a detailed report. This report outlines the vulnerabilities discovered, the methods used to find them, and the potential impact if exploited. Crucially, it also provides recommendations for remediation, helping the organization strengthen its security posture. Pentesters do not cause harm to systems; their work is purely for defensive purposes.

Different types of penetration tests exist, such as network penetration testing, web application penetration testing, and social engineering penetration testing, each focusing on specific areas of an organization's digital infrastructure. Organizations engage pentesters to gain an independent assessment of their security controls and to comply with regulatory requirements.