Penetration testing, often termed as "pen testing" or "ethical hacking," is a simulated cyber attack against your computer system to check for exploitable vulnerabilities. In the context of web application security, penetration testing is commonly used to augment a web application firewall (WAF). Penetration testing can involve the attempted breaching of any number of application systems, (e.g., application protocol interfaces (APIs), frontend/backend servers) to uncover vulnerabilities, such as unsanitized inputs that are susceptible to code injection attacks. Insights from these tests can be used to fine-tune your WAF security policies and patch detected vulnerabilities.
The roots of penetration testing trace back to the 1960s and early computer security initiatives such as the development of UNIX operating system which was designed with security in mind. However, it was the publication of "The Cuckoo's Egg" in 1989 by Clifford Stoll that brought significant public attention to the concept of network security. Stoll's documentation of his pursuit of a hacker who penetrated U.S. government networks highlighted the importance of network security and the potential of ethical hacking to identify vulnerabilities. Since then, penetration testing has evolved significantly, with the establishment of methodologies like the Open Source Security Testing Methodology Manual (OSSTMM) and the Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES), which provide frameworks for conducting systematic and comprehensive security assessments.
Today, penetration testing has become an integral part of cybersecurity strategies for organizations of all sizes. It is not only about finding and exploiting vulnerabilities but also about understanding the level of risk and informing the necessary security measures to protect against attackers. The dynamic nature of technology means that penetration testing methodologies continue to evolve, with a growing emphasis on automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to identify and address vulnerabilities more efficiently. For those interested in cybersecurity, understanding the fundamentals of penetration testing is essential, as it combines technical knowledge with a hacker's mindset to protect systems and data from potential breaches.