What is the difference between a vulnerability scanner and a pentest?

A vulnerability scanner is an automated tool that checks systems for known security weaknesses and generates a list of potential issues. However, such scanners often produce unnecessary or even false results because they cannot take individual configurations or combinations of systems into account.

A comprehensive penetration test performed by experienced security professionals goes much further: real attack scenarios are simulated to uncover vulnerabilities not only in standard components but also in custom products or combinations of used systems. This allows not only theoretical vulnerabilities to be identified but also their actual exploitability and potential impact on the organization. Companies receive actionable recommendations to significantly enhance the overall IT security.