How to Become a Penetration Tester (2024)

IT CAREER GUIDES

View Related Degrees

OVERVIEW

What Is a Penetration Tester?

Penetration testers or “pen testers,” are IT professionals who identify security flaws in websites, web applications, data storage systems, and other digital assets. By taking on the role of a hacker, they test the strength of an organization’s cybersecurity system and find the vulnerabilities that unethical hackers could exploit during a cyberattack. Penetration testing is an integral part of an offensive security strategy. Instead of reacting to a cybersecurity attack that has already occurred, penetration testing allows organizations to take a proactive approach to security system optimization.

Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and companies need skilled penetration testers to protect their data against the latest cyberattack strategies. Many penetration testers work for cybersecurity firms that offer third-party penetration testing services to clients in a range of different industries. Companies hire these firms to audit their security systems and provide constructive feedback about how to protect their data against cyberattacks. Organizations may also hire penetration testers to work alongside their in-house IT departments. Healthcare companies, government agencies, financial institutions, and other companies that handle sensitive data rely on penetration testers to keep information safe and ensure that the organization is complying with industry regulations and privacy laws.

Learn About Degree Options

RESPONSIBILITIES

What Does a Penetration Tester Do?

Penetration testers spend most of their time testing computer systems and networks to find security vulnerabilities. They can work on-site or remotely. A penetration tester’s typical workday often includes:

Researching the latest hacking techniques and devising strategies to test security systems.
Using open-source intelligence (OSINT) to determine a strategy to bypass a system’s security measures.
Executing a simulated cyberattack and attempting to access sensitive files or data.
Using social engineering, phishing scams, or other techniques to evaluate existing security protocols and responses from targeted employees.
Generating detailed reports on security flaws, inconsistencies, and weaknesses that unethical hackers could exploit to gain unauthorized network access.
Providing recommendations to organizations to help them improve network security and reduce the chances of a data breach.

EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES

How Do I Become a Penetration Tester?

Penetration tester requirements vary depending on the industry. The typical journey to becoming a penetration tester begins with gaining basic technical skills and a functional working knowledge of operating systems, networks, coding, scripting, and programming. Earning a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or cybersecurity and information assurance will provide you with the most up-to-date industry knowledge and skills you need to succeed.

If you’d like to gain work experience and earn a degree simultaneously, search for an online IT degree program with flexible scheduling. Some degree programs also include industry-relevant professional certifications at no extra cost. Certificates can:

Help differentiate you from other job candidates.
Improve your skills and help you do better in your role.
Position you for promotions or advanced-level opportunities.

Some of the top professional certifications for penetration testers include:

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)–Associate of (ISC)² designation
Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)–Associate of (ISC)² designation
Certified Encryption Specialist (EC-Council ECES)
A+ (CompTIA)
Cybersecurity Analyst Certification, CySA+ (CompTIA)
Network Vulnerability Assessment Professional (CompTIA)
Network Security Professional (CompTIA)
Security Analytics Professional (CompTIA)
Security+ (CompTIA)
Project+ (CompTIA)
PenTest+ (CompTIA)
IT Operations Specialist (CompTIA)
Secure Infrastructure Specialist (CompTIA)
ITIL®1 Foundation
Network+ (CompTIA)

How Long Does It Take to Become a Pen Tester?

You’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree to become a penetration tester. At many universities, that takes at least four years. However, at WGU, many students finish their bachelor’s degree coursework more quickly than this. On average, WGU students complete their degrees in 2.5 years while many traditional university students take up to 5 years to finish. Penetration testers typically need IT experience and robust operating systems and cybersecurity knowledge. Individuals entering the field often earn professional certifications in addition to their degrees to show employers that they have the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a cybersecurity career.

Best Degrees for aPenetration Tester

Technology

Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – B.S.

Protect your career and earning potential with this degree....

Protect your career and earning potential with this degree.

Time:70% of graduates finish within 21 months.
Tuition:$4,265 per 6-month term.
Courses: 34 total courses in this program.

Some careers and jobs this degree will prepare you for:

Cyber crimes investigator
Director of cybersecurity
Chief of cyber counterintelligence
Cybersecurity engineer
Cyber operations planner

Certifications included in this program at no extra cost include:

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) - Associate of (ISC)2 designation
Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) - Associate of (ISC)2 designation
ITIL® Foundation Certification
CompTIA A+
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst Certification (CySA+)
CompTIA IT Operations Specialist
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Network Vulnerability Assessment Professional
CompTIA Network Security Professional
CompTIA PenTest+
CompTIA Project+
CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security Analytics Professional

More Details

APPLY NOW

Technology

Computer Science – B.S.

Problem solvers and math lovers needed! Your task:...

Problem solvers and math lovers needed! Your task:

Lay the groundwork for the computing breakthroughs that will enable tomorrow's technologies.

Time:71% of graduates in similar programs finish within 27 months.
Tuition:$3,985 per 6-month term.
Courses: 38 total courses in this program.

You'll have the opportunity to earn these certifications:

Linux Essentials
Axelos ITIL Foundation

Utilize your previous college courses or IT experience to help you complete your degree faster.

Careers that this program can help prepare you for include:

Computer systems analyst
Computer programmer
Artificial intelligence specialist
Software engineer
Machine learning engineer

More Details

APPLY NOW

SKILLS

What Skills Does a Penetration Tester Need?

A mobile application support analyst needs various skills, most notably:

Being an effective penetration tester requires both creativity and technical skills. Here are the most common proficiencies you’ll need to stand out from the competition:

Hard skills

Cybersecurity knowledge. You’ll need a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity, hacking techniques, and security flaws that can increase the chances of a cyberattack.
Programming knowledge. Proficiency in scripting and coding will allow you to spot coding errors and oversights that increase network vulnerability.
Technical proficiency. To be a strong penetration tester, you’ll need a comprehensive understanding of operating systems, web applications, and network protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, ARP, DNS, and DHCP.
Solid writing skills. Writing reports about security vulnerabilities and remediation strategies is a crucial aspect of the job.

Soft skills

Adaptability. Hacking strategies continually evolve. Penetration testers must stay current on the latest security risks and methods for mitigating those risks.
Teamwork. As a penetration tester, you’ll likely collaborate with a team of cybersecurity professionals.
Written and verbal communication. Penetration testers must articulate complex security issues in an easy-to-follow format that nontechnical professionals can understand.
Creativity. You’ll need out-of-the-box thinking to solve complex security problems and help organizations optimize their cybersecurity procedures.

Our Online University Degree Programs Start on the First of Every Month, All Year Long

No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!

Learn about Online College Admissions at WGU

Next Start Date
{{startdate}}

APPLY TODAY

Interested in Becoming a Penetration Tester?

Learn more about degree programs that can prepare you for this meaningful career.

View Degree Programs