What is the main goal of penetration testing?

The primary goal of penetration testing is to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in systems. This process mimics the actions of a potential attacker, with the aim of uncovering security weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious entities. By simulating an attack, penetration testers provide organizations with valuable insights that allow them to understand their security posture and prioritize remediation efforts. The focus is on discovering vulnerabilities that could be used to gain unauthorized access to systems, data, or networks.

Identifying these weaknesses enables organizations to fortify their defenses and improve their overall security strategy. This proactive approach is crucial for maintaining the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of information systems. While monitoring user activity, implementing security controls, and conducting employee training are certainly important aspects of cybersecurity, they do not align with the specific objectives of penetration testing, which is focused squarely on vulnerability detection and exploitation.