In this chapter, we discussed the need for a methodology when it comes to penetration testing and how it is essential when it comes to building skills as a professional penetration tester. Following this, we reviewed two sample methodologies. We reviewed the penetration testing framework and described the components within the standards, to include the process to follow based on the ports that are discovered during your assessments. The next methodology we discussed was the PTES, and although there is no technical guidance as part of the standard, there is a reference for the technical information that is available. We provided a reference for that, along with a number of examples on how to perform the testing for each step. The last methodology we looked at was a high-level abstraction that shows the potential components of a professional security test.

In the next chapter, we review the steps required to build the range that we will use throughout the rest of the book. At the end of the next chapter, we will have a complete range that allows us to practice virtually all testing methods against any of the targets that we may encounter.