This guide helps you understand what conclusions you can and cannot draw from a penetration test report with few or no high-severity findings. It is intended to prevent false reassurance while preserving the legitimate value of a clean result.
How organizations typically get this wrong
Treating a clean report as a pass or certification. Reducing future testing effort based solely on low findings. Communicating results upward without explaining scope boundaries. Ignoring adjacent systems, identities, or integrations that were not tested. Equating tester difficulty with attacker difficulty.
How penetration testing fits
Penetration testing evaluates specific systems or applications within a defined scope. It is best used when the goal is to validate technical controls or identify exploitable weaknesses.
How attack simulations and red teaming differ
These approaches test how the organization responds to realistic attack paths that span people, process, and technology. The emphasis is on exposure and response, not individual findings.
Choosing the right approach
The right choice depends on readiness, clarity of ownership, and how results will be used. In many cases, starting smaller produces more useful outcomes.