How to become Penetration Tester in 2024

Penetration Tester Evaluate network system security by conducting simulated internal and external cyberattacks using adversary tools and techniques. Attempt to breach and exploit critical systems and gain access to sensitive information to assess system security.

Penetration Tester is Also Know as

In different settings, Penetration Tester is titled as

Education and Training of Penetration Tester

Penetration Tester is categorized in Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Experience Required for Penetration Tester

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education Required for Penetration Tester

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Degrees Related to Penetration Tester

Training Required for Penetration Tester

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Related Ocuupations

Some Ocuupations related to Penetration Tester in different industries are

What Do Penetration Tester do?

  • Assess the physical security of servers, systems, or network devices to identify vulnerability to temperature, vandalism, or natural disasters.
  • Collect stakeholder data to evaluate risk and to develop mitigation strategies.
  • Conduct network and security system audits, using established criteria.
  • Configure information systems to incorporate principles of least functionality and least access.
  • Design security solutions to address known device vulnerabilities.
  • Develop and execute tests that simulate the techniques of known cyber threat actors.
  • Develop infiltration tests that exploit device vulnerabilities.
  • Develop presentations on threat intelligence.
  • Develop security penetration testing processes, such as wireless, data networks, and telecommunication security tests.
  • Discuss security solutions with information technology teams or management.
  • Document penetration test findings.
  • Evaluate vulnerability assessments of local computing environments, networks, infrastructures, or enclave boundaries.
  • Gather cyber intelligence to identify vulnerabilities.
  • Identify new threat tactics, techniques, or procedures used by cyber threat actors.
  • Identify security system weaknesses, using penetration tests.
  • Investigate security incidents, using computer forensics, network forensics, root cause analysis, or malware analysis.
  • Keep up with new penetration testing tools and methods.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of hacking trends.
  • Prepare and submit reports describing the results of security fixes.
  • Test the security of systems by attempting to gain access to networks, Web-based applications, or computers.
  • Update corporate policies to improve cyber security.
  • Write audit reports to communicate technical and procedural findings and recommend solutions.

Qualities of Good Penetration Tester

Tools Used by Penetration Tester

Technology Skills required for Penetration Tester

  • Amazon Web Services AWS software
  • Ansible software
  • Apple iOS
  • Apple macOS
  • Bash
  • C
  • C#
  • C++
  • Database management systems
  • Docker
  • Firewall software
  • Ghidra
  • GitHub
  • Go
  • Google Android
  • Google Cloud software
  • HP WebInspect
  • IBM Middleware
  • IBM QRadar SIEM
  • IBM Terraform
  • Invicti Acunetix
  • JavaScript
  • Kali Linux
  • Kubernetes
  • Linux
  • Magellan Firmware
  • Management information systems MIS
  • Metasploit
  • Microsoft Active Directory
  • Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
  • Microsoft Azure DevOps Services
  • Microsoft Azure software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft PowerShell
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition VBScript
  • MITRE ATT&CK software
  • Nmap
  • Objective C
  • Operating system software
  • Oracle Java
  • Oracle Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition J2EE
  • Perl
  • PHP
  • Portswigger BurP Suite
  • Python
  • Rapid7 Nexpose
  • RESTful API
  • Ruby
  • Rust programming language
  • Security assertion markup language SAML
  • Shell script
  • Software development tools
  • Software libraries
  • Splunk Enterprise
  • Structured query language SQL
  • System testing software
  • Tenable Nessus
  • UNIX
  • Web application software
  • Web server software
  • Wireshark