Which type of penetration testing allows the tester no prior knowledge of the network?

In the context of penetration testing, black box testing is characterized by the tester having no prior knowledge or access to the internal workings of the network or system being tested. This simulates an attack scenario where the adversary doesn't have any insider information, allowing the tester to evaluate the security posture of the organization from an outsider's perspective.

This type of testing helps in identifying vulnerabilities that could be exploited by an external attacker and provides insights into how well the organization can defend against such attacks. The tester must rely solely on their skills and available information about the public interfaces of the application or system, simulating what a real-world attacker would encounter.

In contrast, the other types of testing involve varying levels of prior knowledge or insider insight:

• Grey box testing gives testers limited access and knowledge, combining both external and internal perspectives.

• White box testing involves thorough transparency, where testers have full knowledge of the system architecture and code.

• The term "blue box" does not typically refer to a standard type of penetration testing in security contexts.

Thus, black box penetration testing is essential for assessing vulnerabilities and the overall security framework when no insider knowledge is available.