Penetration testing involves a comprehensive evaluation of an organization's security posture by simulating a cyberattack. This process helps identify weaknesses in systems, networks, and web applications by employing the same tools and techniques that malicious hackers use. The goal is to discover vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by real attackers and to assess the effectiveness of defenses in place. Tests can be either automated or manual and typically result in a detailed report outlining found vulnerabilities, evidence, and recommendations for mitigation.