We’ve compiled a list of penetration testing certifications for you in this article so you can understand what they mean and possibly choose the right one.
There are many reasons to get a penetration testing certification. With certification, you can prove your skills to potential employees and customers, and help improve your career prospects.
A penetration testing certification can also help you to keep up with the latest tools and techniques and learn new skills. There are many different certification programs available, so you can choose one that fits your needs and interests.
Whether you’re just starting in penetration testing, or you’re a seasoned professional, a certification can help you stand out from the crowd.
What is penetration testing?
Penetration testing is a type of security testing that you can use to evaluate the security of a computer system or network Penetration testers attempt to find vulnerabilities in systems and then exploit them. This can help organizations to find and fix security weaknesses before they are exploited by attackers.
There are numerous penetration testing certifications available, but they are not all created equal. Here is a list of ten penetration testing certifications for you to consider.
10 penetration testing certifications
1. The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
This is one of the most popular and well-recognized in the industry. It covers a wide range of topics related to ethical hacking and is a great starting point for anyone interested in this field. The Ethical Hacker Association (ECA) claims that individuals with the CEH certification can identify and assess system vulnerabilities by identifying classifying and explaining the hacking activity. They can also develop a defense against these attacks.
Although this is a great entry-level certification, it is not up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity and penetration testing trends.
Cost: $399 (requires membership to the Ethical Hacker Association)
2. The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
This certification is another well-known and respected certification. It focuses specifically on offensive security and is a great choice for those who want to specialize in this area.
The cost and time to complete this certification may seem high (around $2,000 and six to nine months to complete the course work), but it is worth it because this is one of the few certifications that test your hacking skills.
The Certification Review gives the OSCP four out of five stars for difficulty and effectiveness.
3. The GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
GSEC certification is a good option for those looking to prove general knowledge in the cybersecurity field.
Cost: $399 (discounts available if you bundle multiple certifications)
The GSEC certification is also offered through several other providers, such as Citrix and Ivanti (formerly Microsoft)
The 200-question exam takes four hours to complete and covers topics like risk assessment, vulnerability analysis, applying security policies to systems and applications, and monitoring systems for anomalies.
Like the CEH, the GSEC is a well-known certification among IT professionals.
4. EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (EC SA)
This one is another entry-level certification that certifies individuals in the area of systems security. This certification certifies individuals in the area of systems security. It covers security architecture, design, implementation, and administration. US Department of Defense recognizes this certification, which is another benefit.
EC-Council is a well-known name in the tech industry, known for hosting hacking conferences and providing high-quality training materials. The International Certification Accreditation Consortium (ICAC) and the Commission on Accreditation for Compliance Assessment have both accredited EC-Council certifications (CAChe).
Cost and duration: $3,395.00 with a duration of five days.
5. EC-Council Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT)
The LPT exam will challenge you to understand the most advanced attack techniques, including vulnerabilities in cryptographic protocols, identity services, and application-level messaging. You will also be able to develop advanced payloads and malicious bots.
This certification is highly in-demand and will enable you to land a job as a security consultant or a penetration tester. You will also receive a pay increase and enjoy job safety.
You will also learn how to develop advanced malicious bots and payloads used in application-level attacks. This course is instructor-led with lab sessions that follow a daily outline.
Cost: $500 and every year you have to renew it for $250
6. Hacker Guardian Certified Security Penetration Tester (HCPPT)
There are no prerequisites for taking this exam.
Cost: $150 – discounted bundle price of $350 for the entire set (CEH, CHFI, CPT, HCPPT)
The Hacker Guardian Certified Security Penetration Tester (HCPPT) exam is 1 hour and 30 minutes long and has 45 to 55 questions. The exam format is multiple choice with four to five answer choices for each question. Candidates need to correctly answer 70 percent of the questions to pass. You can take the exam online through the HackerGuardian portal.
HackerGuardian is a cybersecurity company based in Aptos, California that develops security training courses and solutions to protect organizations from cyber attacks. The HCPPT is one of three versions of the Penetration Tester certification offered by HackerGuardian, along with the HackerGuardian Certified Pentester (HCP) and the HackerGuardian Certified Penetration Test Specialist (HCPS) certifications.
7. Infosec Institute Certified Penetration Tester (CPT)
The CPT is a highly specialized and in-demand security certification that tests your skills in penetration testing and vulnerability analysis. It’s an independent, objective measure of your skills as a white hat hacker.
Cost: $899 -$1499 (includes training, exam, and 120-day membership)
8. Certified Expert Penetration Tester (CEPT)
The Certified Expert Penetration Tester (CEPT) credential is a globally recognized benchmark for professional penetration testers. To provide a comprehensive, real-world understanding of the skills and techniques the CEPT designed the program to successfully conduct a professional penetration test. The program covers a wide range of topics, including information gathering, scanning, enumeration, exploit development, and post-exploitation. The CEPT credential is awarded to individuals who complete the program and pass the associated exam.
The CEPT program requires significant skill and expertise. It takes most candidates between six weeks and three months to pass the CEP experience exam.
Training and the CEP experience exam may cost several thousand dollars. Maintenance fees are approximately $50 per year.
9. Certified Red Team Operations Professional (CRTOP)
The new Certified Red Team Operations Professional (CRTOP) designation from the ISA will help professionals excel in this specialized area of security. CRTOPs will develop a red team operation plan, perform an attack simulation, assess findings, and generate security improvement recommendations. Like other professional certifications from the ISA, the CRTOP certification is based on hands-on skills and a proven track record.
The ISA will offer a free-of-charge online course in January 2020 to prepare candidates for the red team operation practice exam. This online course will cover the basic principles and techniques of red team operations, including scheming, deception, penetration testing, information gathering, and more.
10. Certified Mobile and Web Application Penetration Tester (CMWAPT)
The Certified Mobile and Web Application Penetration Tester (CMWAPT) certification are designed for professionals who want to demonstrate this expertise. Obtaining this certification confirms that you have the skills needed to identify, detect, and mitigate web and mobile application security vulnerabilities.
There are many different types of penetration testing certifications, but the most important thing is to find one that is well respected and will give you the skills you need to be successful. Do your research and make sure you are getting the best training possible. With the right certification, you can become a valuable asset to any organization.
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