Ethical Hacking Essentials Practice Test

In the context of cybersecurity, what does a “credentialed assessment” imply?

1. An assessment without user credentials

2. An assessment using user credentials

3. An assessment based on password strength

4. An assessment of user behavior

The correct answer is: An assessment using user credentials

A credentialed assessment refers specifically to the practice of evaluating the security of a system while having access permissions that mimic those of a legitimate user, which means using user credentials. This type of assessment allows the evaluator to gain insights into the security posture of the systems as they would be exploited by an authorized user. By having user credentials, testers can discover vulnerabilities that are only accessible to authenticated users, such as poorly implemented permissions or security controls. This approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of potential security risks in the environment, as it simulates the actions of a real user with access, thus revealing risks that a non-credentialed assessment could miss. Ultimately, this method is essential for identifying how an attacker with valid credentials could exploit a system, making it a crucial component of comprehensive vulnerability assessments and security audits.