What distinguishes a penetration test from a vulnerability assessment?

A penetration test is distinguished from a vulnerability assessment primarily by its approach to dealing with identified vulnerabilities. In a penetration test, the goal is not only to find vulnerabilities but also to actively exploit them to determine the potential impact and gain unauthorized access to systems. This method provides a more realistic simulation of what an attacker could achieve, thereby offering deeper insights into the security posture of the system.

In contrast, a vulnerability assessment merely identifies vulnerabilities without attempting to exploit them. It serves as a comprehensive inventory of security gaps but does not provide information about the severity of those gaps in a real-world attack context. By attempting to exploit vulnerabilities, a penetration test can reveal how far an attacker could penetrate in an actual attack scenario, providing knowledge that can lead to more effective defensive measures.

Understanding the differences between these two approaches is crucial for organizations to adequately test and enhance their cybersecurity defenses.