Penetration testing has gained massive traction over the recent years with highly promising career progressions and a handsome package on offer. However, many confuse penetration testing with ethical hacking. However, the global business fraternity looks up to Penetration testers to resolve their cybersecurity concerns with futuristic cybersecurity skills on display. This is why getting the right credentials as a penetration tester is a must as the future of an entire organization depends on them. With malware, phishing, ransomware, and insider threats becoming a commonplace scenario in today’s business world, becoming skilled at handling these evolving malicious cybersecurity threats is a bare necessity.
“The Global Penetration Testing Market is assumed to reach USD 3.9 billion growing at a CAGR of 17.1% by 2029”
Research and Markets
Looking at this staggering progression in the global industry size; it is inevitable to bring up your skillsets as a seasoned Penetration tester to counter the cyber threats menace in its bud. Let us try to understand the smart ways of becoming an efficient one!
Who is a Penetration Tester?
A Cybersecurity Penetration Tester is a private detective of the information security panorama; tasked with uncovering vulnerabilities before any potential criminal hacker implements their malicious plan. A Penetration Tester can take up diverse roles such as Vulnerability Management Analyst, Vulnerability Analyst, Vulnerability Researcher, Security Analyst, and Vulnerability Assessment Analyst as well.
Why is a Penetration Tester Crucial for an Organization?
Pen testing professionals are crucial for the existence of a healthy business landscape. They simulate cyberattacks that help businesses identify vulnerabilities in their web application security. Pen testers are specialized Cybersecurity professionals who use hacking skills and tools to uncover intrusions and protect digital assets. They provide crucial insights into a company’s defenses from a hacker’s perspective and may highlight areas that security professionals have overlooked during development or draw awareness to vulnerabilities that are much harder to spot from the inside.
Is Penetration Testing Same as Ethical Hacking?
Ethical hacking is not Penetration Testing. They both are security and compliance exercises that aim to identify vulnerabilities in an organization’s IT systems. However, penetration testing targets the security of the specific area defined for testing. Whereas, Ethical Hacking involves actively exploiting vulnerabilities to simulate real-world cyberattacks; and includes Penetration testing as one of its functions.
Typical Day Tasks of a Penetration Tester:
- Gathering and analyzing Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)
- Assist in scoping prospective engagements
- Conduct assessments on a wider scale
- Develop scripts, tools, methodologies
- Enhance testing processes
- Help SMEs focus on OSINT operations
- Conduct social engineering exercises
- Test wired and wireless networks
- Examine assessment results
- Identify the root cause
- Publish assessment results
- Track repeated findings across multiple assessments
- Communicate methods employed, findings, and analytics post-completion
6-Step Guide to Becoming a Penetration Tester:
- SELF-ANALYSIS
Understand your current skillsets and gauge your long-term goals regarding cybersecurity penetration tester. Beginning with the right comprehension of your skills and what you plan to achieve is critical to building a thriving career trajectory.
- QUALIFYING EDUCATION
Get scratching off the ground with the bachelor’s or master’s in STEM or equivalent requisites to begin with.
- PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
Power up and skill up with the most sought-after and globally trusted top cybersecurity certifications that can guarantee a successful career with a greater salary raise and a whopping futuristic cybersecurity skill pool at your disposal.
- PICKING THE RIGHT SPECIALIZATION
Gain expertise in specified cybersecurity disciplines such as Bug Bounty Programs, Collecting OSINT, and developing proprietary attack programs; can get you closer to your penetration tester job role.
- STAY CURRENT
Keeping ahead of the curve with the latest in the cybersecurity industry is key to any cybersecurity specialist role.
- NETWORK BUILDING
Be present at various meet-ups to network with industry giants and global leaders in cybersecurity.
Top Penetration Tester Skills:
- Competence in network architecture, Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) models, and other network components
- Familiarity with Security technologies and web communications
- Programming, and coding skills
- Prompt Articulation, Soft skills, and effective communication
- Understanding of the Ethical code
- Cloud Architecture
- Cryptography
- Remote access technologies
- Familiarity with operating systems; system analysis and forensics
Expected Salary and Career Progression:
A qualified and seasoned Penetration Tester can take home a salary of USD 140,400 annually in the USA; with an average beginner’s salary amounting to USD 117,000 annually (Talent.com). You can be the next in line to take home a staggering salary as a cybersecurity penetration testing expert with a career progression of 32% through 2032 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics). This is a win-win situation for all the aspiring Penetration Testers around the world; waiting to make it big in the future!
Interested in Online Penetration Testing? The career outlook for a certified Penetration Tester looks promising beyond 2024. This can be your opportunity to scale with global tech giants around the world. Enrol with the best certification credentials to ramp up your career success!
