Penetration Testing Using Artificial Intelligence: Methods, Tools, and Practice for the Modern Offensive Security Professional

Penetration Testing Using Artificial Intelligence is the definitive practitioner’s guide to this new era, taking the modern offensive security professional from foundational AI and machine learning concepts through every phase of the AI-augmented engagement lifecycle: reconnaissance and OSINT powered by large language models, intelligent scanning and asset discovery, ML-driven vulnerability prioritization, AI-assisted exploit development, and post-exploitation decision-making guided by autonomous agents. Spanning web, network, cloud, mobile, wireless, IoT, and OT/ICS environments, and dedicating full coverage to adversarial machine learning, LLM red teaming, generative AI-powered social engineering, and the emerging threat of autonomous offensive agents, this book equips practitioners with the tools, frameworks, techniques, and ethical grounding required to operate at the frontier of the discipline — while navigating the legal, regulatory, and professional responsibilities that come with wielding AI as an offensive instrument. Grounded in real-world case studies, aligned with MITRE ATT&CK, OWASP, NIST, and the EU AI Act, and written for security professionals who refuse to be left behind, this is not a book about the future of penetration testing — it is a field manual for the present.

What is Penetration Testing Using Artificial Intelligence about?

Penetration Testing Using Artificial Intelligence is a practitioner’s guide to offensive security in the age of AI. Its premise is that artificial intelligence has changed how penetration testers think, plan, and work, not just how fast they work, and the book presents itself as a field manual for the present rather than speculation about the future. It opens with AI and machine learning foundations for security professionals, then follows the engagement lifecycle: reconnaissance and OSINT using large language models, intelligent scanning and asset discovery, machine learning driven vulnerability prioritization, AI assisted exploit development, and post-exploitation decisions guided by autonomous agents. Coverage spans web, network, cloud, mobile, wireless, IoT, and OT/ICS environments, with full chapters on adversarial machine learning, LLM red teaming, generative AI powered social engineering, and autonomous offensive agents as an emerging threat. The book is grounded in real-world case studies, aligned with MITRE ATT&CK, OWASP, NIST, and the EU AI Act, and closes with the legal, regulatory, and ethical responsibilities of using AI offensively.

Who wrote Penetration Testing Using Artificial Intelligence?

It was written by Alfred Basta, a professor, author, and musician.

What genre is Penetration Testing Using Artificial Intelligence?

It is a professional cybersecurity reference and technical guide, which means it is organized around methods, tools, and practice rather than theory, and it maps its content to industry frameworks and regulations.

Who is Penetration Testing Using Artificial Intelligence for?

It is written for penetration testers, offensive security professionals, and security practitioners who want to keep up with AI driven methods and the responsibilities that come with them.

Is Penetration Testing Using Artificial Intelligence part of a series?

No. Penetration Testing Using Artificial Intelligence is a standalone book.

Where can I buy Penetration Testing Using Artificial Intelligence?

Penetration Testing Using Artificial Intelligence is available in paperback and Kindle editions. The paperback ISBN-13 is 979-8180604330 (731 pages, published June 8, 2026).

Amazon (paperback) | Amazon (Kindle) | Indigo (author page)

About the author: Alfred Basta is a professor, author of Ward No. 8 and The Malgrave Letters, and musician as The Bastas Project.

Last updated: October 12, 2026