Penetration testing, often called “pen testing” is one of several techniques used to verify cybersecurity posture and provide a level of assurance to the organization that its cyber defenses are functional. It’s a way of testing defenses against an adversary who mimics a cyber-criminal actor.

I’m a red teamer. I do work similar to pentesting and use many of the same tools. This year, I’ve added several tools to my toolbox. I’ll introduce them to you below and hope you find them valuable, as well.

Penetration testing is becoming increasingly popular as organizations are beginning to embrace the need for stronger cybersecurity. But there are still too many businesses that don’t fully understand the benefits of regular security testing. Pen testing is vital for any kind of organization with an IT system or website. A recent survey of penetration testers revealed that 88 percent of those questioned said they could infiltrate organizations and steal data within 12 hours.