A Comparative Study of Penetration Testing Methodologies and Tool Utilization in Cybersecurity

Abstract

The growth in volumes of data traded on the internet requires network protection. The customers demand their data to be held in secrecy, intact, and available only to those who have access. Hence, three security requirements for maintaining such networks would include confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity (CIA). Traditionally, organizations were protecting their physical assets. However, in today's digital world, they have to protect themselves from internal as well as external cyber threats. This has, therefore, become a necessity to ensure proactive methods in assessing and strengthening security systems. One of the methods that are simulating real-time cyberattacks is penetration testing. These test vulnerabilities that would otherwise be left unnoticed by other methods. Organizations can learn about such risks, address them, and therefore become more prepared to respond to new threats as their defenses strengthen and their cybersecurity becomes stronger.