• A focus on technology over methodology. Hacker methods are relatively well known, so this book answers the desperate demand for technical details of how these processes work
• Interpretation of results. The author recommends expert integration of testing results into security practice, which is surprisingly uncommon
• Protecting the innocent. This book provides the framework for protecting security professionals and confidential information during testing
• Politics and processes. The text highlights the need for proper communications, expectations, and metrics before testing
• Testing procedures. The book is unique in connecting reconnaissance, data collection, vulnerability analysis, exploitation, analysis, and other testing components to overall business objectives

There are many books that detail tools and techniques of penetration testing, but none of these effectively communicate how the information gathered from tests should be analyzed and implemented. Until recently, there was very little strategic information available to explain the value of ethical hacking and how tests should be performed in order to provide a company with insight beyond a mere listing of security vulnerabilities. Now there is a resource that illustrates how an organization can gain as much value from an ethical hack as possible.

The Ethical Hack: A Framework for Business Value Penetration Testing explains the methodologies, framework, and "unwritten conventions" that ethical hacks should employ to provide the maximum value to organizations that want to harden their security. This book is unique in that it goes beyond the technical aspects of penetration testing to address the processes and rules of engagement required for successful tests. It examines testing from a strategic perspective, shedding light on how testing ramifications affect an entire organization.

Security practitioners can use this resource to reduce their exposure and deliver a focused, valuable service to customers. Organizations will learn how to align the information about tools, techniques, and vulnerabilities that they gathered from testing with their overall business objectives.