Penetration testing, also called pen testing, is the practice of attempting to gain unauthorized access to computer networks, applications or systems to evaluate security vulnerabilities.

Why Managed Service Providers Conduct It:

– Identifies weaknesses before actual attacks exploit them
– Highlights gaps in cybersecurity postures
– Demonstrates an MSP’s technical capabilities to safeguard clients
– Important for designing resilient systems architecture

Example:

An MSP simulates cyber attacks on a client’s infrastructure to probe security loopholes allowing unauthorized entry and access to sensitive data. This enables the IT partner to shore up defenses proactively.

Different Pen Testing Methodologies:

– Network: Checking for external vulnerabilities
– Application: Assessing apps/APIs for flaws
– Social engineering: Evaluating human targets
– Physical access: Breaching premises/data centers

For highly regulated sectors like finance and healthcare, managed services partners invest heavily in pen testing practices and ethical hackers to harden security before disastrous data breaches.