What is the first phase that must be conducted before a pentest can be intiated?

The first phase that must be conducted before a pentest (penetration test) can be initiated is the "Planning and Reconnaissance" phase.

Here are the steps involved in this phase:

1. Define the Scope: The first step is to define the scope of the pentest. This includes identifying the systems to be tested and the testing methods to be used.

2. Gather Information: The next step is to gather as much information as possible about the target systems. This can include public information available on the internet, as well as information from the client.

3. Identify the Targets: Based on the information gathered, identify the specific targets for the pentest. This could be specific systems or applications.

4. Document the Process: Finally, document the entire process. This will be used as a reference during the pentest and will also be useful for reporting purposes after the pentest is completed.

After this phase, the next phase of the pentest - the scanning phase - can be initiated.