Certified Information Systems Auditor Practice Exam

The purpose of penetration testing is to assess the effectiveness of security controls within an organization's information systems. This type of testing simulates real-world attacks to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. By conducting penetration tests, organizations can evaluate how well their security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other defense mechanisms, are functioning to protect sensitive data and maintain system integrity. The process helps to highlight any gaps or weaknesses in the security posture, allowing organizations to address them before they can be exploited in an actual cyber incident. Additionally, penetration testing provides valuable insights into the organization's overall security strategy, ensuring that security policies and controls are appropriate for the threats they face. In contrast, enhancing user capabilities, deploying network updates, and slowing down system operations do not align with the primary objective of penetration testing, which focuses specifically on evaluating and improving security controls.