What Is Penetration Testing? How Does It Work Step-by-Step?

Penetration testing (pen testing) is an authorized, structured method of simulating attacks against systems to discover vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. The document explains testing scopes and workflows, contrasts black-, white-, and gray-box approaches, describes common targets (web apps, wireless, physical infrastructure, social engineering), outlines tester skills and certifications, and positions pentests alongside continuous programs like bug bounties and vulnerability scanning to improve organizational security.