Cybersecurity penetration testing simulates an attack on a computer system or network and aims to identify potential vulnerabilities and security flaws so that they can be fixed before attackers can exploit them. .
Penetration testing involves examining IT resources such as computers, applications, and networks for vulnerabilities and weaknesses that an attacker could exploit. During a penetration test, a team of security experts uses a variety of tools and techniques to simulate real-world cyberattacks, such as stealing sensitive data or disrupting normal business operations. After the assessment, the penetration tester generates a report summarizing the findings and begins remediating or mitigating any vulnerabilities discovered.
Experience in cybersecurity or ethical hacking is beneficial for penetration testers, but is not necessarily necessary to begin a career in penetration testing. This article explains the importance of penetration testing, the key skills you need to acquire to become a penetration tester, and how you can leverage these skills to quickly advance your career.
6 important skills to become a pen tester
Cybersecurity penetration testing involves knowing how to discover and exploit issues within the IT ecosystem. To be successful in a penetration testing career, you need the following skills and knowledge:
- Security tools: Penetration testers have access to a number of useful cybersecurity software tools, including Nmap, Wireshark, Burp Suite, and Metasploit. These applications help penetration testers perform reconnaissance, assess and exploit security vulnerabilities.
- networking:Modern IT environments consist of dozens or hundreds of machines communicating over a network. Therefore, effective penetration testing requires knowledge of computer network hardware, software, and protocols such as TCP/IP, LAN/WAN, and DNS.
- operating system:Penetration testers should be familiar with common enterprise operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and macOS. This includes a comprehensive understanding of operating system structures, security mechanisms, and common vulnerabilities.
- Computer programming:Penetration testing may require practitioners to be familiar with programming and scripting languages such as Python, Ruby, and Bash. This knowledge also helps penetration testers automate repetitive tasks, test exploits, and develop penetration testing tools.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills:Thinking logically is valuable for many IT careers, including penetration testing. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills help penetration testers discover, exploit, and remediate security vulnerabilities.
- Communication skills:Pen testers work closely with software developers, IT staff, and non-technical business stakeholders. This requires strong communication skills to explain complex technical issues.
Although many penetration testers have an educational background in computer science or information technology, it is not necessary to have a successful career in penetration testing. Some penetration testers learn through hands-on experience, while others earn penetration testing certifications that teach a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
Why Cybersecurity Professionals Choose Penetration Testing
Interest in cybersecurity penetration testing is rapidly growing, and so is enterprise demand for qualified penetration testers. Below, we explore some of the reasons why so many cybersecurity professionals choose penetration testing.
Penetration testing salary
As with other subfields of IT security, knowledgeable and experienced penetration testers can receive high salaries for their expertise.
- According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a cybersecurity penetration tester in the United States is over $123,000 per year (Indeed, 2023).
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the median salary for information security analysts (including penetration testers) is $102,600 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021).
Penetration Testing Career Growth
Cybersecurity penetration testing is not only a solid career in itself, but also leads to career growth opportunities. After gaining experience in the field, penetration testers can become eligible for other positions such as:
- Advanced penetration tester:Senior roles in penetration testing come with more responsibility, including leading projects, developing test methodologies, and supporting more junior team members.
- DevSecOps role:The DevSecOps methodology brings together software developers, cybersecurity experts, and IT operations teams to fully integrate security into the software development lifecycle. Penetration testers use their security expertise to
- IT security administrator:Management oversees a team of penetration testers and other cybersecurity professionals. They also manage client relationships and develop the organization’s broader strategy for penetration testing.
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO):A CISO is an executive-level role primarily responsible for an organization’s cybersecurity. This includes managing the security team, developing security policies and procedures, and overseeing security audit and compliance efforts.
Penetration Testing Job Outlook
Cybersecurity penetration testing and other IT and software areas are expected to continue to grow in the short and medium term. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that between 2021 and 2031, the information security analyst role will increase at a rate of 35 percent. This is much faster than the average job. The BLS also estimates that companies will create 56,500 new information security analyst jobs during this decade (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2021).
The primary reason for the need for penetration testers and other cybersecurity professionals is due to the constantly evolving onslaught of threats and malicious actors. For example, in the first quarter of 2022 alone, approximately 400 data breaches were reported, totaling over 13 million victims (ITRC, 2022).
With businesses of all sizes and industries constantly facing new cyber threats, it’s no wonder the penetration testing market is expected to continue growing. According to the report, the global penetration testing market will nearly double from $1.4 billion in 2022 to $2.7 billion in 2027, with a healthy annual growth rate of 14% (MarketsandMarkets, 2022).
How can I improve my penetration testing career?
Cybersecurity penetration testing is an exciting and dynamic field that offers a variety of growth opportunities. Penetration testers play a valuable role in preventing data breaches and cyberattacks by helping organizations identify and resolve vulnerabilities in their IT security posture.
EC-Council’s C|PENT (Certified Penetration Testing Professional) program teaches students the tools, techniques, and methods they need to know for a long and successful career in penetration testing.
The C|PENT program includes 14 theoretical and practical modules on finding vulnerabilities across your IT environment, from networks and web applications to cloud and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Students who earn the C|PENT certification are well prepared to face the challenges of real-world penetration testing and cybersecurity jobs.
Are you ready to get started?Learn more about C|PENT certification.Start your career in penetration testing today.
References
surely. (2023). Penetration tester salary in the United States.https://www.indeed.com/career/penetration-tester/salaries
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021). Information Security Analyst: Career Outlook Handbook.https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
Identity Theft Resource Center. (2022). Q1 2022 Data Breach Analysis: Data Breach Occurs at Fast Start. The proportion of victims continues to decline.https://www.idtheftcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/20220413_One-Pager_Q1-2022-Data-Breach-Analysis.pdf
Market Sand Market. (2022). Penetration Testing market size, analysis, trends and forecast.https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/penetration-testing-market-13422019.html
About the author
David Tidmarsh is a programmer and writer. He worked as a software developer at MIT, earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University, and is currently a graduate student in computer science at the University of Texas at Austin.