Penetration Test (Pen Test)
A simulated cyberattack on your own systems, conducted with permission, to find vulnerabilities before real attackers do. Think of it as hiring an ethical hacker to probe your network, applications, or physical security for weaknesses.
The pen tester uses tools and techniques like a malicious hacker would - for example, attempting to exploit weak passwords or outdated software - and then reports back on what they found and how to fix it.
For SMBs, a full penetration test might sound advanced, but even a modest one (or using automated pen-testing tools) can reveal critical issues (like an exposed database) that you didn't realize were there. It's like a proactive health check for your IT security.