Goal: Identify, classify, and prioritize known vulnerabilities.
Method: Automated tools are used to scan systems for known flaws (e.g., missing patches, outdated software, misconfigurations).
Output: A list of vulnerabilities with risk levels, typically without exploiting them.
Goal: Simulate real-world attacks to exploit vulnerabilities.
Method: Manual or semi-automated testing by ethical hackers to validate the impact of the vulnerabilities.
Output: A detailed report showing exploited vulnerabilities, their severity, and remediation steps.
Identifies security weaknesses before attackers do.
Assists with compliance (e.g., PCI-DSS, ISO 27001).
Improves overall security posture.
Provides actionable insights for remediation.