This deep dive covers Deep Dive: Penetration Testing (Pen Testing) within Prevention Methods for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Prevention Methods in 3.6 Fundamentals of Cyber Security for GCSE Computer Science with 19 exam-style questions and 18 flashcards. This topic shows up very often in GCSE exams, so students should be able to explain it clearly, not just recognise the term. It is section 8 of 11 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Deep Dive: Penetration Testing (Pen Testing)
- What it is: Authorised, simulated cyber attack to find security vulnerabilities
- Who does it: Ethical hackers or security professionals with explicit permission
- Types:
- Black box: Testers have no prior knowledge (mimics external attacker)
- White box: Testers have full knowledge of system (thorough testing)
- Grey box: Testers have partial knowledge (mimics insider threat)
- Process: Reconnaissance → Scanning → Exploitation → Reporting → Remediation
- Benefits: Find vulnerabilities before real attackers, validate security controls, meet compliance requirements
Practice questions for Prevention Methods
What is the primary purpose of a firewall?
Explain how penetration testing can improve the security of a network.