What is a common goal of penetration testing?

A common goal of penetration testing is to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. This proactive approach involves simulating real-world attacks on a system or network to uncover weaknesses that could potentially be exploited by malicious actors. By doing so, organizations can gain insights into their security posture, allowing them to address these vulnerabilities effectively before they lead to a security breach or data compromise.

The emphasis of penetration testing lies in its ability to provide a realistic assessment of security controls and to highlight areas where security policies and defenses may be inadequate. This assessment helps organizations prioritize their remediation efforts in order to strengthen their overall cybersecurity strategy.

Other choices do have their roles in cybersecurity efforts, but they don't directly align with the primary objectives of penetration testing. For instance, user awareness training is about educating personnel to recognize and mitigate threats. Regulatory compliance involves adhering to specific standards but does not inherently identify vulnerabilities. Assessing IT staff performance focuses more on the efficacy of personnel rather than on the security of the systems they manage. Thus, identifying vulnerabilities through penetration testing stands out as the most relevant goal.