Certified Information Security Manager CISM · Free Practice Question Easy

Question 79

What is the purpose of a penetration test?
  • A A) To identify and exploit vulnerabilities in a system
  • B B) To patch vulnerabilities in a system
  • C C) To prevent all attacks on a system
  • D D) To assess the effectiveness of security controls
Reveal correct answer

Correct answer: D

Explanation

Explanation (Correct): The purpose of a penetration test is to simulate real-world attacks in order to assess the effectiveness of security controls and identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. Explanation (Incorrect Options): A) To identify and exploit vulnerabilities in a system: Penetration tests aim to identify vulnerabilities, but their purpose is not to exploit them. B) To patch vulnerabilities in a system: Patching vulnerabilities is a separate activity that occurs after vulnerabilities are identified. C) To prevent all attacks on a system: While preventing attacks is a goal of security, it is not achievable through a penetration test alone.

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