What is Penetration Testing?
A simulated cyberattack on your application performed by security professionals to find vulnerabilities before real attackers do. Also known as ethical hacking or pen testing.
In plain English
Pen testing is like hiring a locksmith to try breaking into your house. You'd rather discover the weak back door lock and the unlocked basement window from a professional you hired than from an actual burglar. It's a controlled test of your defenses.
How it works
Pen testers systematically probe your application for vulnerabilities — testing authentication flows, authorization boundaries, input handling, API endpoints, and infrastructure configuration. They use the same techniques real attackers would: SQL injection, XSS, privilege escalation, social engineering, and more. The result is a report detailing every vulnerability found, its severity, and how to fix it.
Why it matters for AI-built apps
AI-generated code introduces predictable vulnerability patterns that attackers know to look for. Pen testing reveals the real-world exploitability of these issues. It's especially critical before launching, after major feature additions, and for apps handling payments or personal data. A professional pen test often reveals critical issues that automated scanners miss.
Common issues
Treating pen testing as a one-time event rather than ongoing, not testing in a production-like environment, not giving testers enough scope, ignoring or deprioritizing found vulnerabilities, and assuming passing a pen test means your app is 'secure' (it means no issues were found in the time allotted).
Best practices
Conduct pen tests before launch and after major changes. Combine automated scanning (OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite) with manual testing. Define clear scope and rules of engagement. Prioritize fixing critical and high-severity findings immediately. Retest after fixes to confirm remediation. Consider bug bounty programs for ongoing coverage. SpringCode's security review service can identify and fix vulnerabilities found through testing.
Frequently asked questions
When should I get a pen test for my AI-built app?
Before launching to real users, especially if your app handles user data, payments, or authentication. Also after significant feature additions or architectural changes. Budget at least one professional pen test before your public launch — the cost is a fraction of what a data breach would cost.
Can I pen test my own app or do I need to hire someone?
You can start with automated tools like OWASP ZAP (free) to catch common issues. But for a thorough assessment, hire a professional — they think like attackers and catch logic flaws, authorization bypasses, and business logic vulnerabilities that automated tools miss. You can also use SpringCode's security review as a first step.
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