penetration testing

Definition

Authorized hacking of your own systems to find vulnerabilities before the bad guys do. It's like hiring someone to break into your house to prove your locks are terrible—except legal and with a detailed report.

Example Usage

We're bringing in a red team for penetration testing before the product launch to find any security holes.

Origin

Military term adopted by computer security in the 1970s-80s, formalized with the rise of ethical hacking

Fun Fact

Penetration testers often call themselves 'pentesters,' which sounds less threatening than 'professional hackers' during airport security conversations.

Source: Information security and ethical hacking standards

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