Which type of assessment attempts to exploit vulnerabilities from the perspective of a potential attacker?

Penetration testing is specifically designed to simulate an actual attack on a system or network, allowing professionals to identify and exploit vulnerabilities as an attacker would. The goal of penetration testing is to assess the security measures in place by attempting to find weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors. This testing goes beyond simply identifying vulnerabilities, as it also involves attempts to penetrate systems and access sensitive data, mirroring the tactics, techniques, and procedures that real-world attackers might employ.

In contrast, vulnerability scanning typically involves using automated tools to identify known vulnerabilities in a system without actively exploiting them. A security audit takes a comprehensive review of policies, processes, and controls, focusing more on compliance than active exploitation. Similarly, compliance assessments ensure that organizations meet regulatory requirements without necessarily probing for exploitable weaknesses. Therefore, penetration testing uniquely provides a practical assessment of security by actively attempting to exploit vulnerabilities, leading to a more realistic understanding of an organization's security posture.