Penetration testing plays a crucial role in cybersecurity strategy development by assessing the resilience of an organisation’s infrastructure. It has become increasingly popular as it helps organisations anticipate and mitigate threats instead of waiting for them to happen, improving overall cybersecurity efforts. If you’re interested in learning more about the roles of penetration and vulnerability testers then keep reading!
What is a penetration tester?
Penetration testers, otherwise known as pen testers, are hired to test the security of networks, web applications and other digital infrastructure where security is important. A penetration test is an authorised simulated attack performed on a computer system to evaluate its security.
They usually simulate a variety of attacks that could threaten a business, to examine whether a system is robust enough to withstand attacks from authenticated and unauthenticated positions.
What is a vulnerability tester?
Penetration and vulnerability tests are two types of vulnerability testing.
Vulnerability assessment tools identify existing vulnerabilities but do not distinguish between those that are exploitable and those that are not. Their purpose is to reduce the possibility of cyber criminals breaching your IT defences and gaining access to systems or data.
What is the difference between a penetration test and a vulnerability assessment?
A vulnerability assessment uses automation whereas penetration tests are manual processes performed by qualified pen testers. Pen tests typically follow after vulnerability testing and remediation to confirm whether your remediation has been successful.
Essential skills for Penetration Testers
As a penetration tester, you’ll need to have a combination of technical knowledge, problem solving skills and an understanding of the security landscape. Here are some of the most essential soft and hard skills!
Soft skills for Penetration Testers
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| A desire to learn | Penetration testers must stay up to date as hackers’ tactics and strategies evolve. |
| Teamwork orientation | Collaboration is key, with junior members reporting to and learning from seniors. |
| Strong verbal communication | Ability to explain findings clearly so non-technical stakeholders can understand. |
| Report writing | Essential for producing clear reports for management and executive teams. |
Hard skills for Penetration Testers
| Skill | Description |
|---|---|
| Deep knowledge of exploits and vulnerabilities | Going beyond automated tools to understand and identify vulnerabilities. |
| Scripting and/or coding | Saves time and improves efficiency during assessments. |
| Command of operating systems | Advanced knowledge of the systems being tested is critical to simulating breaches. |
| Networking and network protocols | Understanding TCP/IP, UDP, ARP, DNS, DHCP and more is vital to anticipate attacks. |
How to become a penetration tester
Are you considering becoming a penetration tester? Follow these 6 steps to help set you up for the role!
Step 1: Self-analysis
Assess if penetration testing aligns with your interests and skills; perform an honest self assessment to decide if this career is suitable for you!
Step 2: Education
Degrees in cybersecurity disciplines are increasingly preferred by employers; relevant degrees help to provide a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity.
Step 3: Career path
Gain experience in related fields like security administration, system administration, network engineering or application planning. Focus on the security aspects within these disciplines to build a strong foundation for penetration testing.
Step 4: Professional certifications
Try and obtain professional certifications to enhance your CV and appeal to employers.
Step 5: Keep current
Stay updated with the latest trends in programming, network security, hacking techniques and security protocols. Continuously update your knowledge on exploited vulnerabilities and other developments in the cybersecurity industry.
A career as a penetration tester opens you up to a range of job roles in different industries. You may choose to specialise in an area and improve in the subject or continue your career into a management role. You could even decide to be self-employed or consider security consulting, the possibilities are endless!
Check out our current roles at Intaso today and see where a career in cybersecurity can take you!
