As cybersecurity threats continue to grow, most organizations should consider including penetration testing in their regular IT security protocols. Penetration testing goes hand-in-hand with vulnerability scanning, but these tools differ and are most effective when used together to provide a detailed picture of an organization’s cybersecurity risk profile.

Though they should be part of every organization’s cybersecurity management plan, vulnerability scanning and penetration testing are not widely practiced today except in regulated industries where such measures are required.

Vulnerability scans examine your IT network – including hardware and software – and identify any areas that are vulnerable to attack. The reports are often long and highly technical, so the prospect of shoring up the system can seem overwhelming.

Penetration testing reveals how a hacker could actually get into your system through one of those vulnerabilities. This can help prioritize which vulnerable areas of your system should be addressed first. The penetration test gives you a real-world picture of what a hacker could do, what data they could access and how you would be impacted.

Think of it like protecting your house. A vulnerability scan may show that all your doors and windows have weak or missing locks, and your basement bulkhead doesn’t lock at all. A penetration test would simulate an actual break-in, potentially showing that the first-floor windows are the most likely point of entry for a criminal. The results of the penetration test would reveal that installing new window locks on the first floor would be the most effective immediate measure to secure your home while strengthening the security on your doors and basement bulkhead might be next.