Introduction

Penetration testing and hacking are very similar. Both require scouring software, hardware, and wireless communications for minuscule security weaknesses. For technical companies, penetration specialists find any cybersecurity holes so that they can be fixed. The only significant difference is this. Both hackers and penetration testers aim to facilitate.

The divide between the two is not perfect, though. Significant hacks have led to numerous hackers receiving job offers. What better method to prove your worth as a legitimate user than to successfully compromise an established, ostensibly “secure” framework?

However, there might be a more effective strategy. Hacking history suggests talent but sows mistrust. A penetration testing certificate is an additional choice that enables you to exhibit your practical abilities in a controlled environment without upsetting potential employers. The top options for penetration testing certifications are shown below.

Different Types Of Certifications For Pen Testers

Testers have access to a variety of certificates, and each one depends on personal preference, educational background, and technical proficiency. For instance, a tester may decide to concentrate on certification and training in mobile software pen testing while avoiding cloud-based pen testing. It would be difficult to classify security testing credentials using such indexes because many certificates have many uses and are applicable to a variety of subject areas.

Pen Testing certification does, however, fall under certain categories:

• Beginner or introductory level
• superior level
• level of competence

This implies that education and qualifications are typically acquired based on the expertise and knowledge of the tester. In most cases, a beginning analyst wouldn’t need to go through the same training as a seasoned tester who wants to advance their knowledge. In this way, their credentials would also be different.

By practical standards, having many credentials is wonderful; even business gurus support this. Many pros argued that a pen tester’s expertise is expanded by a variety of certifications in a recent interview. He continues by saying that credentials show commitment and a thirst for education in the rapidly evolving domains of technology and penetration testing.

Highest Recognized Top Penetration Testing Certifications

The most popular and in-demand certifications for cybersecurity professionals are listed below.

Certified Ethical Hacker

The well-known Certified Ethical Hacker credential is awarded by the EC-Council. The curriculum is thought to be fairly reliable and provides factual information to Pen takers.

The CEH program is regularly updated to reflect new threats, vulnerabilities, and how these threats behave. Participants are equipped with the defenses required to ward off malware, traps, cloud attacks, and other cyberattack techniques.

Over the years, CEH has received funding from numerous prestigious organizations and governmental bodies. The essential accreditation required by white hat hackers is known as that.

An applicant is recommended to take a five-day course on fundamental professional development (worth a total of 40 work hours), and in order to get the CEH, they must then pass a 4-hour objective-type proctored exam.

Expertise in Offensive Security Certification

Since candidates must adopt a strict, practical approach in order to obtain certification and Certification for penetration testing, the OSCP is regarded as the top pen testing credential. The OSCP instructs participants on how to carry out pen testing using Kali Linux executive software and any other required tools.

The entire 24-hour OSCP exam is practical in nature. Candidates get practice using dummy copies of real pen testing procedures. Competitors will need to try to break into or hack into particular systems in a virtual environment.

GIAC-certified penetration tester (GPEN)

The G PEN appears to be a license issued by GIAC, a business that guards electronic data. To create, test, and recognize IT expertise, the GIAC offers a range of certifications, from entry-level to top-level. The 1999 founding year of GIAC.

GPEN specializes in breaking into digital applications, stealing passwords, and meticulous pentest preparation. Testers are judged in the course based on relevant non-specialized skills that could improve their general business temperament in relation to their field of work.

Only those who successfully pass a 180-minute exam with fifteen questions are given the GPEN certification. Because you will be assessed on a range of pen testing techniques, including password hacking and penetration vectors, among many others, the GPEN exam is mostly practical in nature. Therefore, this permit may be renewed every four years.

CompTIA’s PenTest+

The CompTIA PenTest+ credential is recognized as a mid-level cybersecurity competence certification and focuses on the offensive penetration testing methodology. It demonstrates a professional’s capacity to deal with a setback or structural flaw as well as their practical skills. The PenTest+ will help a systems analyst hone both their technical and general skills.

The PenTest+ has 85 questions of an objective nature that must be answered in less than 165 minutes.

Certified Professional in Penetration Testing (CEPT)

The CEPT is an improvement over the CPT. People who specialize in pen testing or who have exceptional knowledge and comprehension are particularly qualified for this certification. Members of the CEPT are expected to possess advanced knowledge of pen testing procedures.

A CEPT award recipient must be able to manipulate systems, simulate or recreate complicated attacks, and spot even the tiniest system breach attempt. The exam consists of 50 questions, and you have two hours to answer them all.

How Should a Certification for Pen Tests Be Selected?

This is a typical selection for your comprehension rather than a comprehensive list of penetration testing certification options. As with any other safety certificate, you should carefully consider all of your alternatives before deciding which certification is best for you. In addition to costs, you should consider the complexity, recertification standards, and the industry verification of the certifying organization. Your skill set can limit the courses you can enroll in.

Conclusion

Because attackers and cybercriminals are always coming up with new ways to break the cybersecurity framework of businesses and individuals, the importance of pen testing accreditation cannot be emphasized. Utilizing penetration testing resources is essential for preventing security breaches. Understanding how much penetration confirmatory testing costs and what factors influence their pricing is crucial.

In this article, we discussed how pen testing credentials could advance your ethical hacking skills. We talked about the several kinds of certificates that are offered, from entry-level credentials for those with no prior experience to more specialized qualifications for IT and intelligence professionals with more experience. Finally, we talked about five reputable and well-known training programs.

We hope that this will be useful as you select the penetration testing certificate program and certification that best meets your professional goals.