Chapter 1. Penetration Testing Essentials

In this chapter, we will discuss why an essential element of penetration testing is planning, and a key component of this is having a methodology that emulates and matches the threat that we are portraying. We will discuss the following:

• The need for a methodology approach
• Examples of different methodologies available
• How to establish the testing methodology

If you have been performing penetration testing for some time and are very familiar with the methodology and concept of professional security testing, you can skip this chapter, or just skim it; however, you may learn something new or at least a different approach to how you approach penetration testing.