How can the availability of a service be best preserved during a penetration test?

To best preserve the availability of a service during a penetration test, scheduling testing of critical systems during maintenance windows is an effective strategy. This approach ensures that any intrusive testing activities occur when the potential impact on regular business operations is minimal. Maintenance windows are typically times when systems can be taken offline or when there is reduced user activity, allowing for safe testing without disrupting access for end-users.

Conducting penetration tests outside of these periods could lead to unintended outages or degradations of service, particularly on critical systems that require continuous availability. By planning tests during these designated windows, organizations can manage risks better and ensure that normal operations are not affected, thereby maintaining service availability. This practice emphasizes the need for careful coordination and planning within the broader context of risk management during security assessments.