Detailed Penetration Testing Framework

This framework is simply amazing, as it takes you through the entire process of penetration testing, step-by-step in between references to the tools necessary to conduct a test -- wish experience was commodity as well. Best practices are prone to evolve the way experience does, so consider adding some of your know-how, and going through Fyodor's Top 100 Network Security Tools list in case you're looking for improved efficiency. It's not about the quality and diversity of tools, but about the quality of the approach, still the framework is a nice one to begin with.

Photo courtesy of IBM, featuring ethical hacker Nick Simicich. You may also find Secure DVD, a collection of the 10 Best Security Live CD Distros (Pen-Test, Forensics & Recovery) handy.