  Critical infrastructure refers to essential physical and cyber systems vital
to the functioning and stability of societies and economies. These systems
include key sectors such as healthcare, energy, and water supply, which are
crucial for societal and economic stability and are increasingly becoming prime
targets for malicious actors, including state-sponsored hackers, seeking to
disrupt national security and economic stability. This paper reviews literature
on critical infrastructure security, focusing on penetration testing and
exploit development. It explores four main questions: the characteristics of
critical infrastructure, the role and challenges of penetration testing,
methodologies of exploit development, and the contribution of these practices
to security and resilience. The findings of this paper reveal inherent
vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and sophisticated threats posed by
cyber adversaries. Penetration testing is highlighted as a vital tool for
identifying and addressing security weaknesses, allowing organizations to
fortify their defenses. Additionally, understanding exploit development helps
anticipate and mitigate potential threats, leading to more robust security
measures. The review underscores the necessity of continuous and proactive
security assessments, advocating for integrating penetration testing and
exploit development into regular security protocols. By doing so, organizations
can preemptively identify and mitigate risks, enhancing the overall resilience
of critical infrastructure. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for
ongoing research and collaboration between the public and private sectors to
develop innovative solutions for the evolving cyber threat landscape. This
comprehensive review aims to provide a foundational understanding of critical
infrastructure security and guide future research and practices.
