Home > What Is Penetration Testing and Who Performs It?

What Is Penetration Testing and Who Performs It?

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, organizations need to be on the offensive to protect themselves from attacks before they occur. That’s where penetration testing comes in.

For professionals who are interested in developing advanced cybersecurity skills, pursuing a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity at MIU can provide a deeper understanding of risk management, security operations, and modern cyber defense strategies. 

Below, we’ll take a closer look at what penetration testing is, how it works, the different approaches that can be used, and what it takes to become a pen tester.

What is penetration testing?

A simple definition of penetration testing is a security assessment that’s meant to reveal any weak points in an organization’s technology environment. Its purpose is to give companies the chance to evaluate their security and identify where attackers could potentially make their way in. As for what pen testing is, it’s just a shorter way of saying the same thing. 

Many organizations already do regular vulnerability assessments, which basically identify potential security problems. Pen testers go a step further to help determine which weaknesses are likely to present the greatest risk and should be addressed first. According to the UK Government’s Secure by Design guidance, this helps organizations determine whether their “safeguards are effectively protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your assets.”

Source: Assessing the effectiveness of security controls

What is the difference between ethical hacking and penetration testing?

The distinction between ethical hacking vs. penetration testing is that ethical hacking is an umbrella term for evaluating security weaknesses legally and with authorization, and penetration testing is a method that falls under that umbrella.

So, all penetration testers are ethical hackers, but not all ethical hackers are pen testers.

What are the types of penetration testing?

Organizations use different penetration testing types depending on what they want to evaluate. 

Network penetration testing

Focuses on identifying potential security weaknesses in networks and connected devices.

Web application penetration testing

Evaluates websites and applications for vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, which is a weakness that can give attackers unauthorized access to data in a database. 

Cloud penetration testing

Here, professionals examine cloud-based systems and services.

Social engineering penetration testing

Assesses how employees respond to phishing attempts and other kinds of social engineering.

Physical penetration testing

Professionals evaluate physical security and access controls.

What is the penetration testing process and how does it work?

The penetration testing process usually follows a structured penetration testing methodology. The exact approach can vary, but most often, assessments go through a series of steps.

Step 1: Planning and scoping

First, the organization and the penetration testing team come to an agreement about what will be tested and how the assessments will be done.

Step 2: Reconnaissance and information gathering

Before testing begins, the testers gather information.

Step 3: Vulnerability identification

Next, the team identifies weaknesses that attackers could potentially take advantage of.

Step 4: Exploitation

The testers determine whether or not attackers could use those weaknesses to get unauthorized access.

Step 5: Post-exploitation and lateral movement

If the testers manage to get access, they evaluate what other systems or information could be reached.

Step 6: Reporting and remediation

Finally, the cybersecurity professionals put their findings in a report and share it with the organization so it can address security issues.

What are the three penetration testing approaches?

The testing approach an organization uses depends on how much information they give the testing team beforehand.

• Black box testing: Testers get little to no information about the organization’s technical environment.
• White box testing: The organization gives the pen testers detailed information, such as source code or documentation, that wouldn’t normally be available to outside hackers.
• Grey box testing: This is a middle ground approach, in which penetration testers get limited information

How much does a penetration tester earn?

A penetration tester’s salary can vary based on their certifications and experience, as well as the industry and location they’re in. A lot of penetration testers start their careers off in broader cybersecurity roles before they specialize in offensive security. 

For professionals exploring different cybersecurity career paths, penetration testing can offer strong career growth and competitive salaries. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analysts earned a median annual salary of $124,910 in 2024. Penetration testers are part of the broader security field, so their salaries often fall within a similar range.

Source: Information Security Analysts

What tools are used in penetration testing?

Common penetration testing tool categories include:

• Network scanners
• Vulnerability scanners
• Password auditing tools
• Web application testing platforms
• Wireless security assessment tools
• Exploitation frameworks

What certifications do you need to become a penetration tester? 

Popular cybersecurity certifications include:

• CompTIA PenTest+
• CEH
• GPEN
• OSCP certification 

How to start a career in pen testing? 

A career in pen testing typically begins with a foundation in areas like networking, system administration, technical support, or cybersecurity operations, followed by a transition into offensive security roles.

If you’re interested in becoming a penetration tester, you can focus on the following key areas:

• Learn how computer networks, operating systems, and web applications work.
• Practice identifying and analyzing security vulnerabilities in legal training environments.
• Become familiar with common attack techniques and defensive security controls.
• Explore labs, capture-the-flag challenges, bug bounty programs, red team/blue team exercises, and other hands-on learning opportunities.
• Earn cybersecurity certifications to show employers your skills.
• Develop your communication and reporting skills.

Being a pen tester means a long-term commitment to learning, since new technologies and security challenges are always emerging. Curiosity and adaptability are key traits to have.

If you’re a professional looking to strengthen your technical skills and pursue cybersecurity opportunities, earning your master’s in cybersecurity with MIU can help you acquire advanced knowledge in security management, risk assessment, and modern cyber defense strategies.

References

National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2008). Technical guide to information security testing and assessment (Special Publication 800-115). U.S. Department of Commerce. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/Legacy/SP/nistspecialpublication800-115.pdf

OWASP Foundation. (2025). OWASP Top 10: Web application security risks. https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Information security analysts: Occupational outlook handbook. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm

Government Security Group. (2026, May 29). Assessing the effectiveness of security controls. Government Security. https://www.security.gov.uk/policy-and-guidance/secure-by-design/activities/assessing-the-effectiveness-of-security-controls/