What would be the result of effective penetration testing?

Effective penetration testing is designed to identify vulnerabilities within a system, application, or network before they can be exploited by malicious actors. By simulating attacks in a controlled manner, penetration testers can uncover weaknesses that may not be apparent through regular security assessments or code reviews. This process enables organizations to understand their security posture, prioritize remediation efforts, and implement stronger defenses against potential threats. The goal is to proactively address security deficiencies, thereby enhancing the overall security infrastructure.

While other options, such as increased software complexity or installation of additional software, might be incidental or an indirect consequence of addressing identified vulnerabilities, they do not represent the primary outcome of effective penetration testing. Enhanced system downtimes could occur due to the testing process but are not a goal or intended result of penetration testing. Thus, identifying vulnerabilities is the cornerstone focus of this security practice.