Penetration testing is an example of an inductive method to gather information. Here's why:
Vulnerability Analysis: This typically involves a deductive approach where existing knowledge of
vulnerabilities is applied to identify weaknesses in the system. It is more of a systematic analysis
rather than an exploratory method.
Controls Gap Analysis: This is a deductive method where existing controls are evaluated against
standards or benchmarks to identify gaps. It follows a structured approach based on predefined
criteria.
Penetration Testing: This involves actively trying to exploit vulnerabilities in the system to discover
new security weaknesses. It is an exploratory and inductive method, where testers simulate attacks
to uncover security flaws that were not previously identified.
Penetration testing uses an inductive approach by exploring and testing the system in various ways to
identify potential security gaps, making it the best example of an inductive method.
Reference:
ISA 315 Anlage 5 and 6: Understanding vulnerabilities, threats, and controls in IT systems.
GoBD and ISO-27001 guidelines on minimizing attack vectors and conducting security assessments.
These
