Understanding Asset Inventory

Knowing and maintaining an accurate inventory of assets is crucial for effective external penetration testing. Organizations must clearly define their scope by identifying what systems are in place, which aids penetration testers in targeting appropriate areas for assessment. Accurate asset management helps avoid surprises during testing, such as discovering outdated or inactive systems that may still be exposed to potential threats. This proactive approach ensures that security measures are focused on systems actively in use, leading to a more successful and informative penetration test.