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Hey everyone! I’m Hailey, and today we’re diving into a crucial topic in cybersecurity—penetration testing reports.

I know, reports might not sound exciting, but trust me, they can make a huge difference in how effectively security issues get addressed. Think of it like a junk drawer—packed with useful things, but if it’s a mess, good luck finding what you need. A cluttered, unclear pentest report has the same problem.

Here’s the deal: ethical hackers say they can break into most environments, and more than half of them can do it in under five hours. That’s pretty alarming. But if you’re here, you already know penetration testing matters. The challenge is making sure your reports actually help, instead of adding to the chaos.

One big mistake? Not defining the scope of the test. If your report doesn’t spell out exactly what was tested and what wasn’t, people might assume the entire system was covered—and that’s a dangerous assumption. Always clarify the boundaries upfront.

Another common issue is poor prioritization. If your report just lists vulnerabilities without ranking them, teams might waste time fixing minor issues while critical threats remain exposed. Instead, clearly define what’s high-risk and what needs immediate attention.

And then there’s the rush to deliver. I get it, deadlines are tight, but a rushed report can mean missing key insights. Using templates and automation can help speed things up without sacrificing quality. But be careful—generic automated reports often lack the necessary context. Take the time to refine the findings so they actually make sense for your organization.

A lot of teams also rely too much on occasional pentesting. Running a test once or twice a year isn’t enough. Security threats evolve constantly, and research shows it takes an average of 258 days to contain a data breach. Continuous testing helps close those gaps faster.

And let’s talk about jargon. Your report isn’t just for security experts—stakeholders from different teams will read it too. If it’s packed with technical terms, you risk losing their attention. Instead, break things down, use summaries and visuals, and keep things clear.

Finally, the biggest pitfall? Reporting vulnerabilities without offering clear solutions. If your findings don’t come with actionable steps, teams might feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start. Every issue should have a remediation plan that’s easy to follow.

At the end of the day, a great pentest report isn’t just about pointing out risks—it’s about helping teams take action. And if you’re looking for a way to make the whole process easier, platforms like PlexTrac can help streamline collaboration, risk prioritization, and remediation tracking.

So, let’s make pentest reports less of a headache and more of a powerful security tool.