Penetration testers and security consultants
Planning a new penetration test engagement with a client
Use cases
About
The Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) mind map template organizes the entire penetration testing lifecycle into 7 phases: Intelligence Gathering, Threat Modelling, Vulnerability Analysis, Exploitation, Post-Exploitation, Reporting, and Pre Engagement Interaction. With 758 nodes, it provides a comprehensive checklist for security professionals, covering specific tasks like 'OSINT', 'HUMINT (if applicable)', and 'Business impact attacks'. This template serves as a cheat sheet for planning, executing, and documenting penetration tests, ensuring no critical step is missed. It is structured as a hierarchical tree, making it easy to navigate complex workflows and track progress through each phase.
Terms and ConditionsWhen to use this template
Red team members and security engineers
Conducting internal red team exercises to simulate real-world attacks
Compliance officers and IT security managers
Preparing for a security audit or compliance assessment (e.g., PCI DSS)
How to use this template
Step 1
Open and Review the Methodology
Open the template in Xmind to familiarize yourself with the seven core phases of the Penetration Testing Execution Standard.
Step 2
Explore Detailed Checklists and Subtasks
Expand the hierarchical branches to access over seven hundred nodes covering specific tasks like OSINT and vulnerability analysis.
Step 3
Customize Nodes and Track Progress
Edit the nodes to include specific project targets and use the map as a live checklist to document your findings.
Frequently asked questions
The template covers all 7 phases of PTES: Intelligence Gathering, Threat Modelling, Vulnerability Analysis, Exploitation, Post-Exploitation, Reporting, and Pre Engagement Interaction, with detailed sub-tasks like 'OSINT', 'Business impact attacks', and 'Technical Reporting'.
Open the .xmind file in Xmind, then follow each phase sequentially. Start with 'Intelligence Gathering' to collect data, move through 'Threat Modelling' and 'Vulnerability Analysis', then execute 'Exploitation' and 'Post-Exploitation'. Use 'Reporting' to document findings.
Yes, you can customize all nodes. Add your own targets, modify checklists, or insert notes. The template is fully editable in Xmind Desktop or Web.
It covers 'Scoping', 'Goals', 'Rules of Engagement', and 'Establish lines of communication' to define the test boundaries and legal agreements before starting.
Yes, the 'Reporting' branch includes 'Executive-Level Reporting' and 'Technical Reporting', which help structure findings for both management and technical teams.
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