You’ve just graduated college and you’re wondering what to do next. You’ve always been interested in computers and cybersecurity, so you decide to become a penetration tester. But where do you start? There are many different types of penetration tests, and each one requires specific technical skills and knowledge. In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the penetration tester and how to become a penetration tester yourself.
We’ll also provide some tips to help you get started. So if you’re ready to take your cybersecurity career to the next level, read on!
What Is The Penetration Tester?
A penetration tester is an information security specialist who attempts to evade security controls and identify weaknesses in an organization’s defenses. Often, penetration testers are hired by organizations to conduct independent security audits. They may also be employed by malicious actors to carry out attacks. There are several tools and techniques that penetration testers use to bypass network security systems controls and gain unauthorized access to systems and data. In many cases, penetration testers will use automated tools to scan for vulnerabilities.
Once vulnerabilities have been identified, they will attempt to exploit them to gain access to systems and data. In some cases, they may also use social engineering techniques to trick employees into divulging sensitive information. Penetration testing can be a valuable tool for organizations, as it can help to identify weaknesses in their defenses before attackers do.
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How To Become A Penetration Tester?
Here are the steps to get started with the journey of being a presentation tester:
1. Research The Field Of Penetration Testing
Before taking any steps to become a penetration tester, it’s important to first make sure that this is the right career path for you. Do some research online and see if penetration testing is a good fit for your skillset and interests.
2. Get A Degree In Computer Science Or A Related Field
While there are some self-taught ethical hacking out there, most employers prefer to hire penetration testers who have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. This will give you the technical knowledge and foundation you need to be successful in the role.
3. Consider Pursuing An Advanced Degree
If you want to stand out from the crowd, you may want to consider pursuing an advanced degree such as a master’s in cybersecurity or information assurance. This will give you even more knowledge and skills that you can use as a penetration tester.
4. Complete An Internship
While not required, completing an internship is a great way to gain some experience in the field and make some industry connections that can help you get your foot in the door after graduation.
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5. Get Certified
Several different certifications are relevant to penetration testers, such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification or the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification. Getting certified will show potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to do the penetration testing job.
6. Join A Professional Organization
There are several professional organizations relevant to penetration testers, such as ISSA or (ISC)². Joining one of these organizations can help you network with other professionals in the field and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and news.
7. Attend Conferences And Events
Attend conferences and events related to cybersecurity and information assurance so that you can network with others in the industry and learn about new trends and technologies.
8. Keep Learning
The cybersecurity landscape is constantly changing, so it’s important to keep learning throughout your career so that you can stay ahead of the curve. One way to do this is by reading industry publications or blogs, such as Dark Reading or SecurityWeek. Alternatively, you can also take advantage of online resources such as Cybrary or Coursera.
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What Skill Do You Need For This Job?
There are many skills that you need to be a penetration tester. You need to have a strong technical foundation, be able to think like an attacker, and have a mix of soft skills. We’ll go over some of the specific skills you need to be a successful penetration tester.
Technical Skills
Penetration testers need to have a wide range of technical skills to be successful. These include knowledge of network security systems, web application security, and system administration. They must also have a good understanding of coding languages such as Python, Ruby, and PHP.
Problem-Solving Skills
Testing penetrations require quick thinking and problem-solving skills. They must also be able to analyze large amounts of data and identify patterns to detect any security vulnerabilities.
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Thinking Like An Attacker
One of the most important skills that a penetration tester can have is the ability to think like an attacker. This involves being able to understand how an attacker would think and what their goals would be. This type of thinking is important to be able to find vulnerabilities that an attacker could exploit.
In-Depth Knowledge Of Testing Methodologies
Another important skill for penetration testers is to have in-depth knowledge of various testing methodologies. Many different types of tests can be performed to find vulnerabilities, and penetration testers need to know which tests to perform and when. Without this knowledge, it would be difficult to find all of the vulnerabilities in a system.
Communication Skills
Communication skills are also important for penetration testers. The reason for this is that they must be able to clearly and concisely communicate their findings to their clients. If they are not able to do this, then their clients may not understand the significance of the security vulnerabilities that were found. So soft skills are important in this field.
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Conclusion
Penetration testing is an important part of network security and organizations should invest in having qualified professionals to do the job. It takes specialized knowledge and skills to be successful in this field, including technical skills, problem-solving skills, thinking like an attacker, in-depth knowledge of testing methodologies, and strong communication skills. With the right knowledge and skills, a penetration tester can help organizations identify potential security vulnerabilities and take steps to fix them.