Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) are two critical components of a robust cybersecurity strategy, but they serve different purposes. A vulnerability assessment is a systematic process of identifying, analyzing, and prioritizing security weaknesses in a system or network. It provides organizations with a clear view of potential vulnerabilities that need remediation. On the other hand, penetration testing (or ethical hacking) simulates real-world cyberattacks to exploit identified vulnerabilities and evaluate how far a hacker can go in breaching security defenses. While vulnerability assessments are more comprehensive and automated, penetration tests are manual and focused on depth. Understanding the difference between the two helps businesses implement a layered defense strategy and meet compliance requirements, enhancing overall security posture.