How To Make Money As A Penetration Tester

How to Go a Penetration Tester: 2022 Career Guide

Written by Coursera • Updated on May 26, 2022

Learn more than about what it takes to get started in this offensive cybersecurity function.

Penetration testers, or pen testers for short, perform simulated cyberattacks on a visitor's estimator systems and networks. These authorized tests help identify security vulnerabilities and weaknesses before malicious hackers have the chance to exploit them.

A career equally a pen tester oft starts with an entry-level cybersecurity position. In this commodity, we'll go into more particular nearly what penetration testers do, why this in-demand cybersecurity career could be a good fit for you, and how to go started.

What does a penetration tester practise?

As a penetration tester, y'all'll accept a proactive, offensive office in cybersecurity by performing attacks on a company'southward existing digital systems. These tests might use a variety of hacking tools and techniques to observe gaps that hackers could exploit. Throughout the process, yous'll document your actions in particular and create a report on what you lot did and how successful you were at breaching security protocols.

Penetration tester tasks and responsibilities

The twenty-four hour period-to-solar day tasks of a pen tester will vary depending on the organisation. Here are some common tasks and responsibilities yous may encounter in this role, all pulled from existent job listings:

• Perform tests on applications, network devices, and cloud infrastructures

• Design and bear simulated social engineering attacks

• Enquiry and experiment with different types of attacks

• Develop methodologies for penetration testing

• Review code for security vulnerabilities

• Reverse engineer malware or spam

• Certificate security and compliance issues

• Automate common testing techniques to improve efficiency

• Write technical and executive reports

• Communicate findings to both technical staff and executive leadership

• Validate security improvements with additional testing

In this video, nosotros'll hash out what penetration testing or pentesting is and why it's of import.

Where practise penetration testers work?

Penetration testers typically piece of work in one of three environments.

• In-firm: As an in-house penetration tester, you lot work straight for a company or organization. This typically allows you to go to know the company's security protocols well. You may likewise accept more than input into new security features and fixes.

• Security firm: Some organizations hire an exterior security firm to behave penetration testing. Working for a security firm offers greater variety in the types of tests you'll get to design and perform.

• Freelance: Some penetration testers choose to piece of work as freelancers. Choosing this path can requite y'all greater flexibility in your schedule, but yous may need to spend more time looking for clients early on in your career.

Penetration testing vs. ethical hacking

The terms penetration testing and ethical hacking are sometimes used interchangeably in the cybersecurity globe. Only the two terms have slightly dissimilar meanings. Penetration testing focuses on locating security bug in specific information systems without causing any damage. Upstanding hacking is a broader umbrella term that includes a wider range of hacking methods. You lot can think of penetration testing as i facet of ethical hacking. Both roles have overlap with a cybersecurity Red Squad—the group that gives security feedback from the adversary'southward perspective.

How to become a penetration tester

As a penetration tester, you tin earn a paycheck past legally hacking into security systems. Information technology can be a fast-paced, heady task if you have an interest in cybersecurity and problem solving. In this department, nosotros'll accept a closer look at the steps you lot might take to get your get-go task as a penetration tester.

ane. Develop penetration testing skills.

Penetration testers need a solid understanding of it (IT) and security systems in guild to test them for vulnerabilities. Skills yous might find on a pen tester chore description include:

• Network and application security

• Programming languages, peculiarly for scripting (Python, Fustigate, Java, Cerise, Perl)

• Threat modeling

• Linux, Windows, and MacOS environments

• Security cess tools

• Pentest direction platforms

• Technical writing and documentation

• Cryptography

• Cloud compages

• Remote access technologies

Pop penetration tester tools

Today'due south penetration testers have a range of tools to help brand their jobs faster and more efficient. If you're interested in becoming a pen tester, it can help to gain familiarity with ane or more of these tools.

*Kali Linux: Popular pentesting operating system

*Nmap: Port scanner for network discovery

*Wireshark: Packet sniffer to clarify traffic on your network

*John the Ripper: Open up-source password cracker

*Burp Suite: Awarding security testing tools

*Nessus: Vulnerability assessment tool

*OWASP ZAP Proxy: Web application security scanner

Get easily-on experience with some of these tools in two hours or less with a Guided Project on Coursera. Get-go with Wireshark for Basic Network Security Analysis or Web Awarding Security Testing with OWASP ZAP.

2. Enroll in a course or training program.

1 of the best ways to beginning developing the skills yous'll need equally a penetration tester is to enroll in a specialized course or training program. With these types of programs, you lot can learn in a more structured environment while building multiple skills at once.

If you're new to cybersecurity, consider an option like the IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, which includes an entire unit on penetration testing and incident response. The unabridged program is online and at your own pace, so you can learn job-ready skills while working or managing life's other responsibilities.

Do I need a degree to become a penetration tester?

While it tin exist helpful to have a degree in computer science, information technology, or cybersecurity, not all penetration testing jobs crave a degree. Typically, your level of experience and ability to complete the task matter more than what degree (if whatsoever) you have. If yous're starting in cybersecurity without a related degree, it might be helpful to pursue a certification to validate your skills.

iii. Get certified.

Cybersecurity certifications demonstrate to recruiters and hiring managers that you take the skills required to succeed in the industry. In addition to these more general cybersecurity certifications, you tin also get certified in penetration testing or ethical hacking. Reputable certifications to consider include:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

• CompTIA PenTest+

• GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)

• GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT)

• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

• Certified Penetration Tester (CPT)

Earning one of these certifications generally requires passing an test. Also earning a credential for your resume, preparing for a certification exam can ofttimes aid you develop your skill set as well.

4. Practice in real and simulated environments.

Many companies want to hire penetration testers with previous feel. Luckily, in that location are ways to start gaining experience outside of the workplace. Many pen testing training programs include easily-on testing in false environments.

Another way to gain experience (and make your resume stand out) is to participate in bug bounty programs. In these programs, companies typically offer greenbacks bonuses to contained pen testers and security researchers who find and study security flaws or bugs in their code. It's an excellent way to test your skills and start networking with other security professionals. Yous can observe a list of bounties on sites like Bugcrowd and HackerOne.

Finally, you'll find several websites designed to allow penetration testers to legally practise and experiment through fun, gamified experiences. Here are a few to get you lot started:

• Hack the Box

• Hack.me

• Hack This Site

• WebGoat

5. Starting time in an entry-level IT position.

Many penetration testers start out in more entry-level IT and cybersecurity roles before advancing into pen testing. If you want to pursue a career in pen testing, consider starting out in a role like network or systems administrator or data security analyst to start edifice your IT skills.

vi. Begin your task search.

When you're fix to brainstorm applying for pen tester jobs, be sure to extend your search beyond the usual chore sites. While LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter are splendid resources, you should too scan specialized cybersecurity task boards, similar Dice and CyberSecJobs.com.

Why pursue a career in penetration testing?

A career as a pen tester gives y'all the opportunity to apply your hacking skills for the greater skilful by helping organizations protect themselves from cyber criminals. It's likewise an in-demand, high-paying career path.

Penetration tester salary

Penetration testers in the US make an average salary of $102,405, according to Glassdoor in Nov 2021 [1]. Your salary will depend on a variety of factors, including your location, experience, education, and certifications. Some industries, similar financial services and war machine contracting, tend to pay higher salaries than others.

Job outlook

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 33 per centum job growth for information security analysts, including penetration testers, betwixt 2020 and 2030 [two]. This is much faster than the average for all occupations in the US.

Career path for penetration testers

As you gain feel as a penetration tester, you may advance to pb a pen testing squad. Some penetration testers become on to become data security managers and may even move into executive roles.

Start your career in cybersecurity

Showtime building task-ready skills in cybersecurity with the IBM Cybersecurity Annotator Professional Document on Coursera. Learn from top manufacture experts and earn a credential for your resume in less than 6 months.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

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Article sources

1. Glassdoor. "Penetration Tester Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/penetration-tester-bacon-SRCH_KO0,xviii.htm." Accessed Nov 24, 2021.

ii. United states Agency of Labor Statistics. "Information Security Analysts, https://world wide web.bls.gov/ooh/reckoner-and-data-technology/information-security-analysts.htm." Accessed November 24, 2021.

Written by Coursera • Updated on May 26, 2022

This content has been fabricated bachelor for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional enquiry to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional person, and financial goals.

Source: https://www.coursera.org/articles/how-to-become-a-penetration-tester

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