What is the difference between penetration testing and vulnerability scanning?

Vulnerability scanning, sometimes referred to as automated testing, is an automated process that uses software to identify known vulnerabilities in a system. It is particularly useful for regular patch management and ensures that the system is up-to-date with the latest security patches. However, penetration testing, or pen testing, goes a step further by employing both manual and automated techniques. It leverages human expertise to discover security flaws that vulnerability scans might miss, exploiting these vulnerabilities to provide a more comprehensive assessment of the system’s security. While vulnerability scanning identifies potential vulnerabilities, penetration testing offers detailed insights and remediation advice, giving a deeper understanding of the system’s overall security posture.