During a penetration test, which phase is critical for determining how the findings will be addressed?

The planning phase is crucial for determining how the findings from a penetration test will be addressed because it lays the groundwork for the entire testing process. During this phase, the scope, goals, and boundary conditions of the penetration test are established. It involves discussions among stakeholders to define what assets are in scope for the test, what methodologies and tools will be used, and the expected outcomes. This phase is essential to ensure that all parties have a clear understanding of what will be tested and how vulnerabilities will be managed after they are discovered.

The planning phase also incorporates risk assessments and compliance requirements, which will guide the remediation efforts based on the criticality of the systems tested and the vulnerabilities identified. Decisions made during this phase influence how reports are structured and shape the follow-up actions, which is vital for addressing findings effectively. Following this phase, the assessment phase would execute the plan, but the findings' mitigation strategies are molded in the planning phase.