Types of Penetration Testing

Penetration testing comes in several forms, each defined by how much information the tester has and which part of the environment is being assessed.

Black Box, White Box, and Gray Box Testing

Black box testing gives the tester no prior knowledge of the target, simulating an outside attacker. White box testing provides full access to source code and architecture. Gray box testing sits in between, offering partial knowledge.

Network Penetration Testing

This focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in an organization's internal and external network infrastructure, including firewalls, routers, and servers, to assess how well the network resists intrusion.

Web Application Penetration Testing

This targets vulnerabilities specific to web applications, such as injection flaws and broken authentication, often guided by frameworks like the OWASP Testing Guide.

Social Engineering and Physical Testing

Beyond technical systems, some engagements test human and physical defenses through simulated phishing campaigns or attempts to gain unauthorized physical access to facilities.