--- title: Penetration Test or Risk Assessment? Follow our Flowchart to Find Out! description: It’s not uncommon for the terms ‘Risk Assessment’ and ‘Penetration Test’ to be used interchangeably. 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[24/7 Client Services](https://portal-ascend.okta.com/) [24/7 Client Services](https://portal-ascend.okta.com/) Risk Assessments, Penetration Testing # Penetration Test or Risk Assessment? Follow our Flowchart to Find Out! ![Default Author](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Logos/Ascend/Ascend%20Technologies_Vertical_Blue.png) TEAM ASCEND August 10, 2017 - [![LinkedIn](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/LinkedIn-color%20(1).svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.teamascend.com%2Fblog%2Fpenetration-test-or-risk-assessment) - [![Facebook](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Group%203%20(1).svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.teamascend.com%2Fblog%2Fpenetration-test-or-risk-assessment) - [![Email](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Group%20427320686.svg)](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EPenetration+Test+or+Risk+Assessment%3F+Follow+our+Flowchart+to+Find+Out%21%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.teamascend.com%2Fblog%2Fpenetration-test-or-risk-assessment) ![](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/Blog%20Feature%20Images/081017_PenTestvsRA.jpg) It’s not uncommon for the terms ‘Risk Assessment’ and ‘Penetration Test’ to be used interchangeably. The truth is, the two are very different. **A** [risk assessment](https://teamascend.com/professional-services/risk-assessment/)**typically involves...** - Identifying areas of vulnerability or potential weakness - Providing a roadmap to a stronger security posture [Penetration testing](https://teamascend.com/professional-services/penetration-testing/)**takes that one step further...** - Actively exploiting those vulnerabilities - Determine the true ramifications of a breach to your network - A real person thinking like…well, a real person. ## Our Advice? Know what you’re buying! You would not believe the number of times we have seen a vulnerability scan or a risk assessment sold as if they were penetration tests. Both of these services are necessary to maintain a secure network, but the key is to know up-front what you want to achieve and to ask your security vendor the right questions. Your organization’s size, industry, and current security posture are all factors that play a big role in determining what service is right for you. Be sure to find a security provider that you can trust to lead you down the correct path. Check out our basic flowchart that you can use to determine which service is the best one to use for you and your organization. [![Penetration Test Flowchart 2025-1](https://blog.teamascend.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Penetration%20Test%20Flowchart%202025-1.png?width=513&height=684&name=Penetration%20Test%20Flowchart%202025-1.png)](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/PenTest%20vs%20RA%20Flow%20Chart.jpg) If you fall into the ‘ask the experts’ category, need more information, or want to talk to us about getting the ball rolling with one of our services, don’t hesitate to [contact us](https://teamascend.com/contact/).     ### Table of Contents #### Get Insights Sent to Your Inbox ## Related Articles ![How to Build an AI Governance Framework a Lean IT Team Can Run](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/software-engineers-collaborating-on-code-in-office-2026-09-21-23-15-07-utc.jpg) Risk Assessments, Penetration Testing ### [How to Build an AI Governance Framework a Lean IT Team Can Run](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/ai-governance-framework-for-lean-it-teams-ascend) September 24, 2026 [Read Now ![arrow](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/SVG%20(2).svg)](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/ai-governance-framework-for-lean-it-teams-ascend) ![How to Choose the Right Salesforce Products for Your Business](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_1458786464.jpeg) Risk Assessments, Penetration Testing ### [How to Choose the Right Salesforce Products for Your Business](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-salesforce-products-for-your-business) September 22, 2026 [Read Now ![arrow](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/SVG%20(2).svg)](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-salesforce-products-for-your-business) ![What Is Shadow AI, and Why Is It a Compliance Risk Right Now?](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/woman-working-from-home-at-desk-with-laptop-2026-03-13-01-57-07-utc.jpg) Risk Assessments, Penetration Testing ### [What Is Shadow AI, and Why Is It a Compliance Risk Right Now?](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/shadow-ai-compliance-risk-regulated-industries) September 17, 2026 [Read Now ![arrow](https://blog.teamascend.com/hubfs/SVG%20(2).svg)](https://blog.teamascend.com/blog/shadow-ai-compliance-risk-regulated-industries) [![Ascend Technologies](https://blog.teamascend.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Ascend/Ascend%20Technologies_Horizontal_FullColor_White.png?width=200&height=107&name=Ascend%20Technologies_Horizontal_FullColor_White.png)](https://teamascend.com/) Contact 833-639-2285 - - - - - - Company - [About](https://teamascend.com/about/) - [Services](https://teamascend.com/services/) - [Testimonials](https://teamascend.com/client-success-stories/) - [Partner With Us](https://teamascend.com/about/partner-with-us/) - [Resources](https://teamascend.com/resources/) - [Contact](https://teamascend.com/contact/) - [Careers](https://teamascend.com/careers/) - Services - [IT Consulting](https://teamascend.com/services/strategic-consulting/) - [Cybersecurity](https://teamascend.com/services/cybersecurity/) - [IT Infrastructure](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/) - [Cloud](https://teamascend.com/services/cloud-computing/) - [24/7 Support Desk](https://teamascend.com/services/infrastructure/support-desk/) - [Microsoft Services](https://teamascend.com/services/microsoft-365/) - [Salesforce Services](https://teamascend.com/salesforce-services/) - [HubSpot Services](https://teamascend.com/services/hubspot-services/) - [App Development](https://teamascend.com/services/application-development/) ### Empowering Technology. Powered by People. Technology is critical to businesses across all industries. Today's technology must be smart, reliable, adaptable, and secure. At Ascend Technologies, we deliver solutions at the highest level, from cloud computing to proactive cybersecurity strategies to Salesforce excellence. And the team? As impressive as the tech. Our practical support is focused on one thing: your success. Let's see what we can do together. [Contact Us](https://teamascend.com/contact/) ©2026 Ascend Technologies, LLC, All Rights Reserved | [Privacy Policy](https://teamascend.com/privacy-policy/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "WebPage", "breadcrumb" : { "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "item" : "https://blog.teamascend.com", "name" : "Home", "position" : 1 } ] }, "dateModified" : "2025-09-15T21🇲🇲33", "description" : "It’s not uncommon for the terms ‘Risk Assessment’ and ‘Penetration Test’ to be used interchangeably. 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