Career Highlight: October 2024

The Benefits of Becoming a Cybersecurity Penetration Tester

By Becky Anzalone


In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, protecting sensitive data is a critical priority for organizations of all sizes. Cyberattacks are on the rise, and so is the demand for professionals who can identify security vulnerabilities before malicious hackers exploit them. This is where penetration testers come into play. As a Certified Penetration Tester, you take on the role of an ethical hacker, using technical and non-technical methods to uncover weaknesses in a company’s system before a real attack occurs.


What is a Penetration Tester?

Penetration testing (or pen testing) goes beyond basic ethical hacking. As a penetration tester, you’ll mimic the methods and tactics of malicious hackers to break into systems, identifying weak spots that could be exploited. The job demands a deep understanding of both digital and human vulnerabilities, ensuring that no potential avenue for attack is overlooked.

The work is structured around five key elements:
  1. Information Gathering - Collecting data on the target system or organization.
  2. Scanning - Actively probing the network and applications for weaknesses.
  3. Enumeration - Identifying the specific details of discovered vulnerabilities.
  4. Exploitation - Actively probing the network and applications for weaknesses.
  5. Reporting - Document findings and recommend remediation measures.


Salary Potential and Career Growth

A career as a penetration tester is highly rewarding, not only because of the vital role you play but also because of the lucrative salary potential. The average annual salary for a penetration tester is $84,314, and this can increase significantly with experience and specialization. In terms of job opportunities, your skills as a penetration tester will open doors to a variety of roles, such as:
  • Cloud Penetration Tester
  • Network Security Operations Specialist
  • Web Application Penetration Tester
  • Cloud Security Specialist
  • Vulnerability Specialist
  • Security Consultant

Skills You'll Learn in Penetration Testing Training

  1. Planning and Scoping: This involves understanding governance, risk, and compliance requirements while mapping out the scope of your penetration test. You'll also develop an ethical hacking mindset, which is crucial in framing how to approach a system’s defenses.
  2. Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning: Pen testers must be skilled in conducting vulnerability scans and reconnaissance to collect data on potential weaknesses. You'll learn both passive and active techniques for gathering this intelligence and how to manage and analyze the results.
  3. Attacks and Exploits: A critical part of the job is understanding how various attacks work across networks, wireless systems, applications, and cloud technologies. You'll also learn post-exploitation techniques to determine what a hacker could do after gaining access.
  4. Reporting and Communication: Penetration testing isn’t just about hacking; it's also about communicating findings. You’ll be trained to provide clear, actionable reports that not only detail vulnerabilities but also offer solutions for remediation. This is essential in today's regulatory environment where businesses must comply with stringent cybersecurity standards.
  5. Tools and Code Analysis: While pen testers are not necessarily required to be coders, they need to be familiar with the tools and scripts used in the process. You'll learn to identify and analyze scripts, gaining insight into how these tools are deployed in different phases of a penetration test.


Why Become a Penetration Tester?

If you’re passionate about cybersecurity and enjoy the challenge of solving complex problems, penetration testing could be the perfect career for you. The role is hands-on, intellectually stimulating, and deeply rewarding—both in terms of salary and the ability to make a real impact on organizational security.

With the demand for cybersecurity professionals increasing, becoming a certified penetration tester offers a solid career path with diverse job opportunities in high-growth industries like cloud security, web applications, and network operations. Plus, your skills will always be in demand as organizations continue to strengthen their defenses against the ever-evolving threats in the digital world.

By becoming a penetration tester, you're not just protecting data—you’re helping shape the future of cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity Training and Certifications


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