What is the main goal of penetration testing?

The main goal of penetration testing is to evaluate system vulnerabilities before an actual attack occurs. This proactive approach allows organizations to identify and remediate security weaknesses in their systems and applications, thereby strengthening their overall security posture. By simulating real-world attacks, penetration testers can uncover vulnerabilities that might be exploited by malicious actors. The insights gained from penetration testing help organizations understand their security risks and implement necessary defenses to prevent data breaches or security incidents.

Training users on security best practices, creating software updates, and monitoring user activities are all important aspects of a comprehensive security strategy, but they do not directly pertain to the objective of penetration testing. Penetration testing specifically focuses on identifying vulnerabilities, which is critical in preventing potential cyber threats.