When assessing a network requiring near 100% availability, which methods should be combined?

Combining penetration testing and vulnerability scanning is an effective strategy for ensuring near 100% availability in a network. Penetration testing simulates real-world attacks to identify and exploit vulnerabilities, providing insights into how an attacker might gain unauthorized access or disrupt services. This proactive approach helps to identify critical weaknesses that could lead to downtime or compromise, allowing organizations to address these vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

On the other hand, vulnerability scanning is a continuous process that identifies known vulnerabilities in systems, applications, and network configurations. Regular scanning helps keep track of new vulnerabilities and ensure that any potential weaknesses are documented and addressed promptly, which is vital for maintaining network stability and preventing outages.

When used together, these methods form a comprehensive approach to security. Vulnerability scanning provides a broad overview of potential issues, while penetration testing dives deeper to understand the impact of those vulnerabilities and test the organization’s defenses against actual attack vectors. This combination enhances the overall security posture, contributing to the desired high availability of the network.

In contrast, options that include patching without penetration testing may not adequately address vulnerabilities before malicious exploitation occurs. Likewise, solely relying on monitoring does not actively test the network's resilience against attacks or assess its vulnerabilities effectively. Therefore, a combination of penetration testing and