Hack the Hackers 2026 – Master the Certified Ethical Hacker Challenge!

The type of testing that assumes the attacker is an insider is gray box testing. This form of testing blends both white box and black box testing methodologies, allowing the tester to have partial knowledge of the internal structure of the application or system. The insider threat is particularly relevant here, as such tests simulate real-world scenarios where an individual within the organization (who may have legitimate access) exploits their knowledge to find vulnerabilities or sensitive information.

Gray box testing can highlight security flaws that may not be evident from an outsider perspective, such as improper access controls or weak internal security practices. By combining this internal perspective with external attack simulations, organizations can better assess their overall security posture and refine their defensive measures.

In contrast, the other testing types either do not assume insider knowledge, like black box testing (which simulates an external attack with no internal knowledge), or focus strictly on internal workings without considering potential misuse, as seen in white box testing. This distinction is crucial for understanding how to evaluate and fortify an organization's defenses against both internal and external threats.