Penetration Testing: Attacking Oneself to Enhance Security

Abstract: Penetration Testing is one tool of cyber security which is very common. This is a type of testing where in any organization attacks itself to know its own vulnerabilities. But this attack is stopped when any vulnerability or security loophole is encountered. Generally to have such a penetration testing or pen test a team of penetration testers or pen testers are hired. This testing is also bounded through various legal agreements as it deals with any organization�s confidentiality and privacy. Thus, this paper is aimed at studying penetration testing from various topics thereby explaining the major types of penetration testing. There is a line of difference between hacking and penetration testing. This paper will also explain that demarcation.

Keywords: Penetration testing, vulnerability, intrusion, router, firewall, pentest.