Penetration Tester

Key Skills for a Penetration Tester (Pen Tester)

Penetration testers, often called ethical hackers, simulate cyberattacks to find and exploit vulnerabilities in systems, networks, applications, and processes. Below, I have outlined essential skills grouped by the focus areas in your query: ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment, network security, and DevSecOps. These are drawn from industry guides, job descriptions, and certification paths, emphasising both technical and soft skills. Skills are prioritised based on commonality across sources, with top and underrated ones highlighted.

Ethical Hacking Skills

These involve thinking like an attacker to evaluate defences ethically, including reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, and reporting.

• Ability in ethical hacking methodologies

  : Master the five phases (reconnaissance, scanning, vulnerability assessment, exploitation, reporting) and tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, and OWASP ZAP.

• Social engineering tactics

  : Simulate phishing, pretexting, and baiting to evaluate human vulnerabilities.

• Exploit development and reverse engineering

  : Write custom exploits and analyse software to uncover hidden weaknesses.

• Underrated: Creativity and persistence

  : Innovate attack vectors and persist through failures to mimic real threats.

Vulnerability Assessment Skills

Focus on finding, prioritising, and mitigating weaknesses before exploitation.

• Vulnerability scanning and analysis

  : Use tools like Nessus, Qualys, and Nmap to detect and evaluate risks in systems and apps.

• OWASP Top 10 knowledge

  : Find common web app flaws like injection attacks and broken authentication.

• Root cause analysis

  : Trace issues to technical or process gaps and recommend remediations.

• Advanced threat modelling

  : Assess sophisticated risks like zero-days and supply chain attacks.

Network Security Skills

Emphasise securing and testing wired/wireless infrastructures against unauthorised access.

• Network protocol ability

  : Deep knowledge of TCP/IP, HTTP, DNS, and evasion techniques for firewalls/IDS.

• Wireless and wired testing

  : Use tools like Aircrack-ng and Wireshark to probe for gaps in Wi-Fi and LAN setups.

• OS exploitation

  : Target Windows, Linux, and macOS vulnerabilities in network environments.

• Underrated: Scripting for automation

  : Python, Bash, or PowerShell to streamline network scans and exploits.

DevSecOps Skills

Integrate security into CI/CD pipelines, ensuring "shift-left" testing in agile environments.

• CI/CD pipeline integration

  : Embed pen testing into automated workflows using tools like Jenkins or GitLab for continuous vulnerability checks.

• Cloud security

  : Assess AWS, Azure, or GCP misconfigurations and IaC vulnerabilities (e.g., Terraform scans).

• Threat modelling and risk assessment

  : Embed security reviews in development cycles, including SAST/DAST tools.

• Underrated: Collaboration with devs

  : Forceful communication to provide actionable feedback without slowing releases.

Top Certifications

Ethical Hacking: CEH, OSCP, C|PENT-Validate hands-on exploitation skills and ethical mindset.

Vulnerability Assessment: GIAC GPEN, CompTIA PenTest+ - Focus on scanning and reporting best practices.

Network Security: C|ND, CISSP - Build network defence knowledge for realistic testing.

DevSecOps : D|SE, AWS Certified Security - Ensure security scales with DevOps speed.