The Master of Science (M.S.) in Cybersecurity with Information Assurance – Management Emphasis program offered online by Southern Utah University (SUU) equips graduates with skills and insights that can open doors to one of the fastest-growing professions in the cyberdefense industry: penetration testing. Penetration testing, also known as pen testing or ethical hacking, simulates real-world attacks on apps, networks, mobile devices and cloud deployments to reveal potential vulnerabilities and flaws before cybercriminals can find and exploit them.
Ethical hackers are high-value assets in the cat-and-mouse game between organizations trying to protect sensitive data from increasingly sophisticated criminals. Driven by the growing cost of cybercrime — estimated at over $10 trillion globally by 2025 — demand for cybersecurity analysts, including ethical hackers, is expected to increase by 35% through 2031. The market value for penetration testing services reached $1.2 billion in 2023, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.5% through 2032.
SUU’s online M.S. in Cybersecurity with Information Assurance – Management Emphasis program positions graduates for high-demand roles such as chief information security officer and director of cybersecurity. The online curriculum encourages the development of critical thinking skills required to proactively analyze and evaluate potential security vulnerabilities, a key objective of penetration testing.
The program also emphasizes concepts and principles for minimizing infrastructure risks, regulatory compliance, and federal and state cybercrime laws. “Global businesses and government are increasingly turning to penetration testing (pen testing), an essential tool in the arsenal of cyber defense,” according to Cyble.
Objectives and Types of Penetration Testing
Organizations typically rely on vulnerability testing to identify weaknesses in their cybersecurity processes. It is systematic, often automated, fast and less expensive than penetration testing. Usually conducted by a trusted vendor, pen testing simulates real-world attacks. In other words, vulnerability testing provides a broad overview of potential weaknesses; penetration testing demonstrates how malicious actors can exploit specific weaknesses and the extent of the damage they can cause. There are three variations of pen testing:
- White box: Hackers have full knowledge of the system they are testing, so they can focus on detailed analyses of code hygiene, defense processes and vulnerabilities.
- Black box: Hackers have no prior knowledge of the system, which is more realistic than white box, but takes longer.
- Grey box: This hybrid type of test balances depth and realism for practical and efficient results.
For instance, a multi-layered, grey box simulated attack could involve a technical assessment, a phishing email campaign sent to employees and a post-test analysis. This simulation could identify vulnerabilities such as the following:
- Technical gaps: Obsolete software, misconfigurations and other vulnerabilities that suggest poor IT governance
- Human factors: Susceptibility to social engineering, reflecting insufficient cybersecurity training
- Organizational risks: Weak access controls, slow response and remediation processes
Regardless of the method, the overarching goal of penetration testing is to discover weaknesses and strengthen security. “Determining the need for new controls involves analyzing gaps uncovered in current systems during a penetration test,” Sprocket Security says. “This might include security technologies, updated protocols, or improved employee training programs aimed at strengthening resistance to deception-based attacks.”
How Do Cybersecurity Professionals Conduct Pen Testing?
Penetration testing follows a structured process to identify and address vulnerabilities. It begins with reconnaissance, where testers gather information about the target system, such as network topology, operating systems and user accounts. This phase uses both passive techniques, such as analyzing public data, and active methods, like interacting with the system, to map potential weaknesses.
Next is scanning, where tools are used to detect open ports and analyze network traffic to identify entry points for attackers. Vulnerability assessment evaluates these findings to prioritize risks. In the exploitation phase, testers simulate real-world attacks to breach the system and assess its defenses. Finally, reporting consolidates findings, detailing vulnerabilities, their severity and actionable steps for remediation to strengthen overall security.
What Are the Benefits of Pen Testing?
Pen testing is a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Instead of waiting for an attack and reacting to it, organizations are turning to ethical hackers to attack. The strategy supports defensive continuous improvement, risk prioritization and incident response. Beyond those benefits, pen testing also offers the following:
- Increases client confidence
- Protects corporate reputation
- Simplifies mergers and acquisitions
Penetration testing is a crucial component of a robust cybersecurity strategy, helping organizations stay ahead of evolving threats and protect their most critical assets. The increasing demand for skilled professionals in this field reflects its growing importance in the modern cybersecurity landscape. Enrolling in the M.S. in Cybersecurity with Information Assurance – Management Emphasis online program from SUU provides students with cybersecurity insights key to success in roles as security analysts, officers and directors.
Learn more about Southern Utah University’s online Master of Science in Cybersecurity with Information Assurance – Management Emphasis program.
