Learn in the textbookSecurity Testing and IoT / Hardware Protection
DefinitionPenetration testing (ペネトレーションテスト) is a check that actually tries to break into a system with an attacker's own methods, to see whether any security weaknesses that could be broken through remain.
ExplanationUnlike a review that only reads design documents or settings, it uses real attack techniques to see whether the defenses give way. It is carried out with the system owner's permission, so that weaknesses can be found and fixed before a real attack.
AnalogyHiring a security professional to genuinely try sneaking into your house and point out the window with the weak lock.
Memory hookPenetrate means "to pierce or get inside." In Japanese it is also called 侵入テスト (intrusion test).