Penetration Testing
Definition
Authorized simulated attack on a system to find security vulnerabilities. Like hiring friendly burglars to test your security system and find weaknesses.
Use Cases
- Shopify: Validating the security of its e-commerce platform and infrastructure against real-world attack techniques. — Shopify runs a public bug bounty program (via HackerOne) and complements it with structured security testing activities, which can include authorized penetration testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they are exploited. (Improved vulnerability discovery and faster remediation through coordinated reporting, helping reduce security risk across customer-facing systems.)
- GitLab: Testing the security of a large, internet-facing DevOps platform and associated services. — GitLab operates a public bug bounty program and publishes security practices; coordinated vulnerability reporting and targeted testing help uncover weaknesses in web application and API surfaces. (Ongoing identification and fixing of security issues, strengthening platform security and reducing the likelihood of successful attacks.)
- Google: Assessing the security of web applications and services through continuous adversarial testing. — Google has long-running vulnerability reward programs (VRP) and internal red team activities; these efforts include authorized testing that simulates attacker behavior to find exploitable flaws. (Earlier detection of vulnerabilities and improved security posture through continuous testing and remediation.)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between penetration testing and vulnerability scanning?
- Vulnerability scanning is usually automated and looks for known issues (like missing patches or insecure configurations). Penetration testing is more hands-on and tries to actually exploit weaknesses to prove impact (for example, showing how an attacker could access sensitive data). Scans are broader and frequent; pen tests are deeper and scenario-driven.
- When should I use penetration testing?
- Use penetration testing before major releases, after significant architecture changes, when exposing new internet-facing endpoints (APIs, web apps), when entering regulated environments, or when you need evidence that controls work in practice. It’s also useful after a security incident to validate that similar attack paths are closed.
- How much does penetration testing cost?
- Cost depends on scope and complexity: number of applications/IPs, testing depth (black/gray/white box), whether social engineering is included, compliance reporting needs, and retesting. Small, single-application tests can be in the low thousands of USD, while large environments or red-team style engagements can be tens to hundreds of thousands. Ongoing programs (quarterly tests, continuous testing, or bug bounties) add recurring costs but can improve coverage over time.
Category: security
Difficulty: advanced
Related Terms
See Also