What is a common method used to perform penetration testing?

Simulating an attack to identify vulnerabilities is a fundamental aspect of penetration testing. This method involves mimicking the techniques and strategies that a potential attacker might use in order to find weaknesses within a system's security framework. By conducting these simulations, security professionals can discover how effectively a company's defenses hold up against real-world attacks. This proactive approach allows organizations to strengthen their security posture by addressing the vulnerabilities that may be exploited by malicious actors.

In contrast, employing antivirus software is a defensive measure that helps prevent malware infections rather than identifying vulnerabilities through aggressive testing. Conducting user awareness training focuses on educating personnel about security best practices and does not involve the technical assessment of systems. Investigating past security incidents is retrospective and does not provide real-time assessment or testing of current vulnerabilities. Thus, the method of simulating an attack stands out as the most direct and relevant approach to penetration testing, aimed at enhancing security through practical evaluation of systems.