IoT penetration testing (pen testing) is a security practice that simulates cyberattacks on IoT devices and networks to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses. It's like a controlled security experiment that helps identify and fix chinks in the armor of your IoT ecosystem before attackers can exploit them.

Sending unexpected or malformed data to devices to see how they react. This can uncover hidden vulnerabilities in device firmware or communication protocols.

Capturing network traffic to eavesdrop on communication between devices and cloud services. This can reveal sensitive information like usernames, passwords, or API keys.

Analyzing subtle variations in a device's power consumption or electromagnetic emissions to extract sensitive data. This can be used to steal encryption keys or bypass authentication mechanisms.

Trying to physically tamper with devices to gain unauthorized access. This might involve opening up devices, probing for hidden ports, or even glitching them with electrical signals.
By using these methods, pen testers can identify a wide range of vulnerabilities in IoT devices, from weak passwords to insecure communication protocols. This information can then be used to improve the security of IoT devices and networks.