Reliability, security & resilience · Core
Penetration test
Also called: pen test
ELI5
Security experts try to break into the system.
Used in conversation
“The penetration test found an access-control flaw.”
Definition
An authorised attempt to identify and exploit security weaknesses.
Here “Penetration test” means: An authorised attempt to identify and exploit security weaknesses.
Pitch context
You will see “Penetration test” in product strategy decks, roadmaps, experiments and architecture reviews when the discussion reaches reliability, security & resilience.
Why it matters: In reliability, security & resilience, the scope can change what data may be used, who may access it and which controls are required.
Sources & evidence · 2
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology — Computer Security Resource Center GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Scrum Guides — The Scrum Guide — official current versionSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16