The purpose of penetration testing in cybersecurity is to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in systems, networks, or applications to evaluate their security. This proactive approach allows organizations to discover security weaknesses before malicious attackers can exploit them. Through simulated attacks, penetration testing assesses the effectiveness of existing security measures and provides valuable insights into improving defenses. Results from these tests often lead to strengthened security protocols, robust incident response plans, and increased overall resilience against potential cyber threats, helping to safeguard sensitive data and maintain compliance.