Even some of the most accomplished IT professionals are not sure about the difference between a vulnerability scan and a penetration test. Here are three basic differences between the two terms:
![](https://b2313899.smushcdn.com/2313899/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/penetration_testing_vs_vulnerability_assessment-01_1.png?lossy=1&strip=1&webp=1)
1. A vulnerability scan detects and classifies system weaknesses in computers, networks and communications equipment. A penetration test on the other hand is the practice of testing a computer system, network or web application to identify insecure business processes, poor security settings, or other weaknesses that a hacker could exploit.
2. While a vulnerability scan informs the stakeholders about the system vulnerabilities, a penetration test shows how these vulnerabilities could be exploited to cause harm to the organisation.
3. A vulnerability scan could be performed by an organisation’s IT department using tools such as OpenVas and Nessus. A wide range of tools are available for use during a penetration testing but it’s the skill of an experienced pen-tester that is needed to identify ways in which vulnerabilities can be exploited.