Penetration testing, often referred to as pen testing, is a simulated cyber attack against your computer system to check for exploitable vulnerabilities. In the context of web application security, penetration testing is commonly used to augment a web application firewall (WAF). Pen testing involves the attempted breaching of any number of application systems, (e.g., application protocol interfaces (APIs), frontend/backend servers) to uncover vulnerabilities, such as unsanitized inputs that are susceptible to code injection attacks.

Penetration testing is crucial because it allows organizations to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. By simulating real-world attack scenarios, businesses gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of their existing security measures and where improvements are needed. This proactive approach not only helps prevent data breaches and other security incidents but also ensures compliance with industry regulations and protects the company's reputation by maintaining the trust of clients and stakeholders.