In threat modeling, which approach is often used to identify potential vulnerabilities by simulating an attack?

In threat modeling, penetration testing is frequently utilized to identify potential vulnerabilities by simulating an attack on a system. This method involves ethical hackers who attempt to exploit security weaknesses to assess the resilience of systems, applications, and networks against real-world cyber threats. By mimicking the actions of a malicious attacker, penetration testing provides valuable insights into how an organization can strengthen its defenses, highlight gaps in security measures, and prioritize areas requiring improvement.

The effectiveness of penetration testing lies in its hands-on approach, allowing security teams to not only discover vulnerabilities but also to understand the practical implications of those vulnerabilities in a real attack scenario. This direct simulation of an attack is critical for organizations looking to proactively enhance their cybersecurity posture.