How to Be Cybersecurity Penetration Tester - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 3, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The proliferation of internet-connected devices has made it easier for malicious actors to take advantage of vulnerabilities in computer systems, leading to increased security threats. As a result, organizations of all sizes have had to invest heavily in cybersecurity measures and personnel, such as Cybersecurity Penetration Testers. These professionals are responsible for testing the security of an organization's networks and systems to identify potential vulnerabilities and develop countermeasures to prevent malicious attacks.

They analyze network traffic to detect suspicious activity, review system logs to identify suspicious behavior, and conduct penetration tests to identify system weaknesses. By doing so, these specialists are able to identify and fix security flaws before they can be exploited by hackers, thus protecting an organization's data, networks, and systems from cyber-attacks.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Degree or Certification in a Relevant Field. To become a cybersecurity penetration tester, you should obtain a degree or certification in a field related to cybersecurity, such as computer science, information systems security, or network security.
Build Your Skillset. You should build your knowledge and skillset by taking additional classes and studying cybersecurity topics. This will help you to better understand the various technologies and tools that are used to protect networks and systems.
Gain Experience. The best way to gain experience is to take on internships or entry-level positions in the cybersecurity field. This will help you to gain hands-on experience in the field, as well as give you an opportunity to network with other professionals who may be able to provide you with job leads or advice.
Take Penetration Testing Courses. Once you have gained some experience and built your skillset, it is important to take courses that focus specifically on penetration testing. These courses will teach you the techniques and tools used for penetration testing, and will also provide you with hands-on experience.
Get Certified. Once you have taken the necessary courses and gained some experience, you should consider getting certified as a penetration tester. This will help demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and will make you more competitive in the job market.
Build Your Portfolio. It is important to build a portfolio of your work to show potential employers. This portfolio should include any projects that you have worked on, such as reports or applications that you have created to demonstrate your skills.
Network. Networking is an important part of finding job leads and making connections in the industry. Attend industry events and conferences, as well as join local groups related to cybersecurity and penetration testing.
Apply for Jobs. Once you have built your skillset and portfolio, it is time to apply for jobs as a cybersecurity penetration tester. Before applying for jobs, make sure that you have a good understanding of the job requirements and the type of experience that employers are looking for.

Cybersecurity Penetration Testing is an essential and effective tool to ensure the safety of networks and systems. It helps to identify any weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the security architecture of a system or network, and provides insights into how an attacker might gain access to the system or data. In order to ensure reliable and efficient security testing, it is necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of the system or network being tested and its relationship to the rest of the network.

it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of the threats that could potentially be targeted against the system or network, as well as the tactics, techniques, and procedures used by malicious actors. It is also important to use advanced tools and techniques such as scanning, fuzzing, and exploitation to identify any potential weaknesses or vulnerabilities. By utilizing these tools and techniques, organizations can ensure that their systems and networks are secure against malicious actors.

You may want to check Cybersecurity Technician, Cybersecurity Solutions Engineer, and Cybersecurity Intelligence Analyst for alternative.

Job Description

Cybersecurity Penetration Tester: Responsible for performing security testing and vulnerability assessments on computer networks and systems. Utilize specialized tools to identify weaknesses, document findings, and recommend solutions to strengthen security measures.
Network Security Analyst: Responsible for monitoring and analyzing network traffic, developing security strategies, and implementing security solutions to protect the organizations data and systems.
Application Security Engineer: Responsible for designing, developing and implementing secure applications. Monitor application performance and security, identify potential vulnerabilities, and develop security protocols to ensure the highest level of application security.
Information Security Officer: Responsible for developing and maintaining an organizations security policies and procedures. Monitor system activities to ensure compliance with security standards and regulations.
Security Architect: Responsible for designing and developing secure IT architectures in order to protect the organization from cyber threats. Evaluate existing systems and develop plans to upgrade or replace them in order to meet security standards.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Networking knowledge: Understanding of network protocols, topologies, and security architectures.
Operating Systems: Knowledge of commonly used operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, Mac OS and Unix.
Scripting/Programming: Ability to write programs and scripts in languages such as Python, Perl, Bash, and JavaScript.
Databases: Knowledge of databases such as Oracle, MySQL, MongoDB and SQL Server.
Security Tools: Proficiency with tools such as Nessus, Nmap, Metasploit and Burp Suite.
Risk Management: Understanding of risk management principles and techniques.
Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of industry regulations and standards, such as NIST 800-53, HIPAA and PCI DSS.
Cryptography: Knowledge of cryptography and encryption technologies.
Reporting: Ability to document findings in a clear and concise manner.
Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze data and draw logical conclusions from it.

Cybersecurity penetration testing is a crucial practice that involves identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in computer systems to identify weaknesses and potential threats. It is essential for organizations to have a skilled cybersecurity penetration tester in order to protect their networks and data from malicious actors. Having a proficient penetration tester on staff requires a variety of technical and non-technical skills.

Technical skills include the ability to analyze computer networks, write scripts, and use various tools to test for vulnerabilities. Non-technical skills involve being able to think like a hacker, staying up to date on the latest threats, and having strong communication and problem-solving abilities. With these skills, a penetration tester can identify weaknesses and develop solutions to protect an organization from cyber threats.

Without the expertise of a cybersecurity penetration tester, organizations are left vulnerable to cyber-attacks that could lead to financial losses, reputational damage, and the compromise of sensitive information.

Cybersecurity Software Developer, Cybersecurity Application Security Engineer, and Cybersecurity Business Analyst are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in conducting penetration tests?
What processes do you follow when carrying out a penetration test?
How do you ensure that your tests are comprehensive and rigorous?
What techniques do you use to discover potential vulnerabilities?
How do you approach vulnerability assessment?
What tools do you use for vulnerability scanning and exploitation?
How familiar are you with scripting languages used for automating security tests?
Can you explain the difference between a false positive and a false negative when evaluating security measures?
How do you keep up to date with the latest security threats and tools?
What strategies do you use to secure systems against malicious attacks?

Common Tools in Industry

Kali Linux. An open-source Linux distribution designed for digital forensics and penetration testing (eg: for wireless security auditing)
Nmap. A free and open source network exploration and security auditing tool (eg: for port scanning)
Metasploit. A framework for exploiting vulnerabilities and conducting security auditing (eg: for identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities)
Burp Suite. A web application security testing platform (eg: for analyzing web applications)
Wireshark. A free and open-source packet analyzer used to analyze network traffic (eg: for analyzing network protocols)
Nessus. A vulnerability scanner used to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities (eg: for identifying security flaws in a network)
John the Ripper. A free password cracking tool (eg: for recovering lost passwords)
Aircrack-ng. A tool used to audit wireless networks (eg: for cracking WEP and WPA-PSK keys)
OWASP ZAP. An open-source web application security scanner (eg: for detecting common web application vulnerabilities)
Netcat. A network utility used to read and write data across network connections (eg: for testing network services)

Professional Organizations to Know

International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)²
Cloud Security Alliance (CSA)
National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE)
SANS Institute
The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP)
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
The International Consortium of Minority Cybersecurity Professionals (ICMCP)
The Cybersecurity Industry Alliance (CISA)

We also have Cybersecurity Cloud Security Engineer, Cybersecurity Business Systems Analyst, and Cybersecurity Network Engineer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Vulnerability Scanning. A process of identifying potential weaknesses in a computer system, network, or web application.
Exploit. A piece of code or software that takes advantage of a vulnerability in a computer system, network, or web application.
Network Scanning. A process of gathering information about a networks hosts, services, and other resources.
Risk Assessment. A process of identifying and assessing the potential risks associated with a cybersecurity program or system.
Penetration Testing. A process of testing the security of a computer system, network, or web application by attempting to gain access without authorization.
Security Auditing. A process of evaluating a systems security configuration and controls in order to identify any potential vulnerabilities.
Incident Response. A process of responding to a security incident in order to prevent further damage and restore normal operations.
Social Engineering. A process of using deception in order to gain access to information or resources without authorization.
Phishing. A type of social engineering attack that involves sending emails that appear to be from legitimate sources in order to obtain sensitive information or resources.
Malware Analysis. A process of analyzing malicious software (malware) in order to identify its components and determine its purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Cybersecurity Penetration Tester?

A Cybersecurity Penetration Tester is a professional who uses a variety of tools and techniques to test the security of an organizations networks and systems.

What qualifications are required for a Cybersecurity Penetration Tester?

Cybersecurity Penetration Tester qualification requirements vary depending on the organization, but typically require knowledge of network and system security, as well as technical skills such as coding, scripting and reverse engineering.

What are the responsibilities of a Cybersecurity Penetration Tester?

The primary responsibility of a Cybersecurity Penetration Tester is to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in an organizations networks and systems. This includes identifying weaknesses in system configurations, testing for possible exploits, and recommending solutions to mitigate risk.

How much does a Cybersecurity Penetration Tester earn?

The average salary for a Cybersecurity Penetration Tester is between $100,000 and $150,000 per year, depending on experience and location.

What certifications are available for Cybersecurity Penetration Testers?

Certifications available for Cybersecurity Penetration Testers include Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), and GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN).

Web Resources

Cybersecurity Penetration Tester, Certificate of Achievement catalog.vcccd.edu
Penetration Testing - Cybersecurity @ BYU cybersecurity.byu.edu
What is Penetration Testing in Cybersecurity? - Peloton College pelotoncollege.edu