{"id":38536,"date":"2026-09-14T12:35:21","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T10:35:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/?p=38536"},"modified":"2026-09-14T12:35:26","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T10:35:26","slug":"what-is-penetration-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/innovation\/what-is-penetration-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Penetration Testing and Who Performs It?"},"content":{"rendered":"<section id=\"hero-post\" class=\"hero-post\">\n  <picture class=\"hero-post__bg\">\n    <!-- tatamiento horizontal -->\n    <source media=\"(orientation: landscape) and (min-width: 1024px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-pentesting.jpg\">\n    <!-- tatamiento vertical -->\n    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"hero-post__img\" src=\"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-pentesting.jpg\" alt=\",\" title=\"\">\n    <noscript>\n      <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-pentesting.jpg\" alt=\",\" title=\"\">\n    <\/noscript>\n  <\/picture>\n  <div id=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"breadcrumbs\">\n    <p class=\"container\">\n      <span>\n        <span>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/\" data-gtm-container=\"breadcrumb\" data-gtm-action=\"navigation\">\n            Home          <\/a>\n        <\/span>\n        &gt;\n        <span class=\"breadcrumb_last\" aria-current=\"page\">\n          <strong>What Is Penetration Testing and Who Performs It?<\/strong>\n        <\/span>\n      <\/span>\n    <\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <h1 class=\"hero-post__title\">\n    What Is Penetration Testing and Who Performs It?  <\/h1>\n      <div class=\"hero-post__wysiwyg\">\n      As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, organizations need to be on the offensive to protect themselves from attacks before they occur. That\u2019s where penetration testing comes in.     <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For professionals who are interested in developing advanced cybersecurity skills, pursuing a <a href=\"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/academics\/master-degree\/master-cybersecurity\/\">Master&#8217;s Degree in Cybersecurity<\/a> <strong><\/strong>at MIU can provide a deeper understanding of risk management, security operations, and modern cyber defense strategies.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below, we\u2019ll take a closer look at <strong>what penetration testing is<\/strong>, how it works, the different approaches that can be used, and what it takes to become a <strong>pen tester<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is penetration testing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A simple <strong>definition of penetration testing<\/strong> is a security assessment that\u2019s meant to reveal any weak points in an organization\u2019s 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 <strong>what pen testing is<\/strong>, it\u2019s just a shorter way of saying the same thing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many organizations already do regular vulnerability assessments, which basically identify potential security problems. <strong>Pen testers<\/strong> 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&#8217;s Secure by Design guidance, this helps organizations determine whether their \u201csafeguards are effectively protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your assets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.security.gov.uk\/policy-and-guidance\/secure-by-design\/activities\/assessing-the-effectiveness-of-security-controls\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Assessing the effectiveness of security controls<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the difference between ethical hacking and penetration testing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The distinction between <strong>ethical hacking vs. penetration testing<\/strong> is that <strong>ethical hacking<\/strong> is an umbrella term for evaluating security weaknesses legally and with authorization, and <strong>penetration testing<\/strong> is a method that falls under that umbrella.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, all penetration testers are ethical hackers, but not all ethical hackers are <strong>pen testers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the types of penetration testing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Organizations use different <strong>penetration testing types<\/strong> depending on what they want to evaluate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Network penetration testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Focuses on identifying potential security weaknesses in networks and connected devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Web application penetration testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Evaluates websites and applications for vulnerabilities such as <strong>SQL injection<\/strong>, which is a weakness that can give attackers unauthorized access to data in a database.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cloud penetration testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here, professionals examine cloud-based systems and services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Social engineering penetration testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Assesses how employees respond to phishing attempts and other kinds of <strong>social engineering<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Physical penetration testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Professionals evaluate physical security and access controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the penetration testing process and how does it work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>penetration testing process<\/strong> usually follows a structured <strong>penetration testing methodology<\/strong>. The exact approach can vary, but most often, assessments go through a series of steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Planning and scoping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, the organization and the penetration testing team come to an agreement about what will be tested and how the assessments will be done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Reconnaissance and information gathering<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before testing begins, the testers gather information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Vulnerability identification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next, the team identifies weaknesses that attackers could potentially take advantage of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 4: Exploitation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The testers determine whether or not attackers could use those weaknesses to get unauthorized access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 5: Post-exploitation and lateral movement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the testers manage to get access, they evaluate what other systems or information could be reached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 6: Reporting and remediation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, the cybersecurity professionals put their findings in a report and share it with the organization so it can address security issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the three penetration testing approaches?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The testing approach an organization uses depends on how much information they give the testing team beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Black box testing:<\/strong> Testers get little to no information about the organization&#8217;s technical environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>White box testing:<\/strong> The organization gives the <strong>pen testers<\/strong> detailed information, such as source code or documentation, that wouldn\u2019t normally be available to outside hackers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Grey box testing:<\/strong> This is a middle ground approach, in which penetration testers get limited information<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How much does a penetration tester earn?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <strong>penetration tester\u2019s salary<\/strong> can vary based on their certifications and experience, as well as the industry and location they\u2019re in. A lot of penetration testers start their careers off in broader cybersecurity roles before they specialize in offensive security.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/computer-and-information-technology\/information-security-analysts.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Information Security Analysts<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What tools are used in penetration testing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common <strong>penetration testing tool<\/strong> categories include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Network scanners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vulnerability scanners<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Password auditing tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Web application testing platforms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wireless security assessment tools<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exploitation frameworks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What certifications do you need to become a penetration tester?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Popular <strong>cybersecurity certifications<\/strong> include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>CompTIA PenTest+<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CEH<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>GPEN<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>OSCP certification\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to start a career in pen testing?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re interested in becoming a penetration tester, you can focus on the following key areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Learn how computer networks, operating systems, and web applications work.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Practice identifying and analyzing security vulnerabilities in legal training environments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Become familiar with common attack techniques and defensive security controls.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explore labs, capture-the-flag challenges, <strong>bug bounty<\/strong> programs, <strong>red team\/blue team exercises<\/strong>, and other hands-on learning opportunities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Earn <strong>cybersecurity certifications<\/strong> to show employers your skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Develop your communication and reporting skills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Being a <strong>pen tester<\/strong> means a long-term commitment to learning, since new technologies and security challenges are always emerging. Curiosity and adaptability are key traits to have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re a professional looking to strengthen your technical skills and pursue cybersecurity opportunities, earning your <strong>master\u2019s in cybersecurity<\/strong> with MIU can help you acquire advanced knowledge in security management, risk assessment, and modern cyber defense strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2008). <em>Technical guide to information security testing and assessment (Special Publication 800-115).<\/em> U.S. Department of Commerce. <a href=\"https:\/\/nvlpubs.nist.gov\/nistpubs\/Legacy\/SP\/nistspecialpublication800-115.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/nvlpubs.nist.gov\/nistpubs\/Legacy\/SP\/nistspecialpublication800-115.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OWASP Foundation. (2025). <em>OWASP Top 10: Web application security risks.<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/owasp.org\/www-project-top-ten\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/owasp.org\/www-project-top-ten\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). <em>Information security analysts: Occupational outlook handbook.<\/em> U.S. Department of Labor. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/computer-and-information-technology\/information-security-analysts.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/ooh\/computer-and-information-technology\/information-security-analysts.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Government Security Group. (2026, May 29). <em>Assessing the effectiveness of security controls<\/em>. Government Security. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.security.gov.uk\/policy-and-guidance\/secure-by-design\/activities\/assessing-the-effectiveness-of-security-controls\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.security.gov.uk\/policy-and-guidance\/secure-by-design\/activities\/assessing-the-effectiveness-of-security-controls\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For professionals who are interested in developing advanced cybersecurity skills, pursuing a Master&#8217;s Degree in Cybersecurity at MIU can provide [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_programas_asociados":[],"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38536","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-innovation"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38536","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38536"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38536\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38545,"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38536\/revisions\/38545"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38536"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38536"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miuniversity.edu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}