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Security, Privacy and Compliance

What Is a Penetration Test?

An authorized simulated attack on a system by security specialists to find weaknesses before real attackers do.

Legal Tech GlossaryBy The Circle Desk

Why It Matters

Buyers often ask for a summary of the vendor's most recent penetration test and how findings were fixed. Annual testing by an independent firm is a common expectation.

Related Terms

SOC 2 Type II
An independent audit report showing that a vendor's security controls were designed well and worked over a period of months, usually six to twelve.
Vendor security questionnaire
A standard set of questions a buyer sends a software vendor about security, privacy, data handling and AI before signing.

General information, not legal advice. Part of the Legal Tech Glossary, 173 terms in plain English.