Which practice involves simulating real-world attacks to identify vulnerabilities?

Penetration testing is a practice specifically designed to simulate real-world attacks against systems, networks, or applications to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. This approach allows organizations to uncover weaknesses in their defenses before an actual attack occurs. During penetration testing, security professionals use various methods and tools to mimic the tactics, techniques, and procedures that a real attacker might employ, providing valuable insights into potential security gaps.

By conducting penetration tests, organizations can prioritize vulnerabilities based on their potential impact and develop strategies to mitigate these risks effectively. It differs from other practices like change management, which focuses on overseeing and controlling changes to IT systems, incident response that deals with addressing security breaches after they occur, and risk assessment which involves identifying and quantifying risks rather than actively testing defenses. This makes penetration testing a critical component of a proactive security strategy, aiming to bolster an organization's security posture before any actual breaches happen.