Overview
The Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) is a framework developed by a group of security professionals to address the lack of consistency in the penetration testing industry. It provides a structured approach to testing, ensuring that all critical areas are covered and that results are actionable.
The Seven Phases of PTES
- Pre-engagement Interactions: Defining the scope, goals, and rules of engagement.
- Intelligence Gathering: Performing reconnaissance to identify potential targets and entry points.
- Threat Modeling: Identifying and prioritizing threats based on the gathered intelligence.
- Vulnerability Analysis: Discovering flaws in systems and applications that could be exploited.
- Exploitation: Attempting to gain access to systems by exploiting identified vulnerabilities.
- Post-Exploitation: Determining the value of the compromised system and maintaining access.
- Reporting: Communicating the findings, risks, and remediation recommendations to the client.
Benefits
PTES helps organizations receive consistent, high-quality security assessments and provides testers with a clear roadmap for their work.