X-Force Red is an autonomous team of veteran hackers within IBM Security that is hired to break into organizations and uncover risky vulnerabilities that criminal attackers may use for personal gain. Some vendors, security professionals and others in the industry believe penetration testing is a substitute for vulnerability scanning, or vice versa. Its a misconception that should be corrected so that security professionals understand exactly what they are buying and receiving and how that investment will help solve the challenge at hand. Some mandates lump penetration testing and vulnerability assessments into one requirement, which muddies the water.”]