{"id":102618,"date":"2022-02-25T21:30:06","date_gmt":"2022-02-26T05:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/?p=102618"},"modified":"2022-12-22T13:09:19","modified_gmt":"2022-12-22T21:09:19","slug":"how-to-get-a-job-in-penetration-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/how-to-get-a-job-in-penetration-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get a Job in Penetration Testing: Required Education and Skills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Information stored online is never 100 percent safe. Penetration testers are essential for companies to discover security vulnerabilities regarding their data. If you want to know how to get a job in penetration testing, then this article is for you. In it, we detail everything you might want to find out about the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We break down the highest-paying penetration testing jobs, the job outlook, and the penetration testing skills you\u2019ll need to land one. We also cover the valued certifications you\u2019ll want to earn, as well tips for finding a job in penetration testing and preparing for interviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Penetration Testing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Penetration testing is deliberate, ethical hacking to simulate cyber attacks on a computer system, network, or web application. Penetration testers make vulnerability assessments to identify security risk areas needing improvement. Pre-empting these attacks helps businesses, governments, and individual clients protect their systems or data and improve their security systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Penetration testing is one of the many types of cyber security jobs<\/a>. Penetration testers go by a variety of different names such as white hats, pen testers, ethical hackers, and assurance validators. Aircrack-Ng, Apktool, Burp Suite, and Hashcat are among the top 10 best penetration testing tools<\/a> used in the field to identify and prevent security issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Penetration Testing Job Outlook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects a 33 percent positive job outlook<\/a> for pen testers. To add to this, Statista is expecting the cyber security market to hit 345 billion U.S. dollars by 2026<\/a>. All of this indicates a promising career path for those working in cyber security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Education Do I Need to Become a Penetration Tester?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most businesses hire applicants with a Bachelor\u2019s or Master\u2019s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or Cyber Security. Regardless of the path you take, continued learning is important as technology evolves and new security flaws emerge. You will need to be on top of your game to identify the best possible cyber security protocols. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can I Get a Penetration Testing Job Without a Degree?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, there are many high-paying cyber security professional jobs<\/a> available for people without a college degree, including penetration testing. Professionals who have opted not to get a degree have instead acquired certificates or have graduated from bootcamps. Some have even opted to self-study and have managed to secure employment in the cyber security field. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can a Coding Bootcamp Help Me Get a Job in Penetration Testing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, a bootcamp can help you get a career in penetration testing. One of the best penetration testing bootcamps<\/a> will provide you with the in-demand skills you need for an entry-level job in the field. Bootcamps offer hands-on learning to help you prepare to succeed on a cyber security team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Does It Take to Get a Job in Penetration Testing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It can take anywhere from a few months to a few years. If you pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science<\/a> or Cyber Security, it can take between four and five years. Continued learning is important when working in the tech industry. It’s a good idea to get more penetration testing skills certifications other than your degree after you\u2019ve graduated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, it can take as little as a few weeks to a few months to complete a bootcamp education. However, employers will often want you to have one to two years of hands-on experience before employing you as an ethical hacker or security analyst.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common Penetration Testing Education Paths<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Typical paths to a career in cyber security include getting a degree in computer science or cyber security at a university or community college, and bootcamp certifications. The path you take will depend on the flexibility of your schedule, what kind of tuition you can afford, and what kind of tech experience you already have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Penetration Testing Bootcamps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A cyber security bootcamp can get you valuable hands-on experience and often a cyber security certification. Some bootcamps take a few weeks, others a few months. Top companies often hire people with bootcamp industry certifications. The best ethical hacking bootcamps<\/a> offer valuable career services to help you secure employment after graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Community College<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Community colleges<\/a> are an affordable way to get into a cyber security degree program, with some offering advanced degrees. Some allow both on-campus and online attendance. They can also provide other certification programs. Community colleges let you save on tuition costs and some offer accelerated or dual credit programs so you can earn a bachelor\u2019s or a master\u2019s in a shorter time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Computer Science Degrees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This education path can give you a comprehensive knowledge of cyber security skills vital to protecting cyber security systems from malicious intent. A Bachelor\u2019s in Computer Science or a master\u2019s can more easily help you attain a high-paying salary<\/a> in the cyber security industry. They can take three to five years to complete.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Penetration Testing Skills to List on Your Resume<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are both hard and soft skills crucial for a penetration testing position. These are things such as networking and system administration, network security control, and cloud security. Displaying your creative thinking and analytical skills will also come in very handy when applying for jobs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Networking and System Administration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A comprehensive understanding of data transmission is paramount to the security of your data. Getting industry certifications like Cisco CCNA and CompTIA Security+ are helpful and will improve your experience level. Knowledge in system security will also make you proficient in system administration. Potential employers will be looking for these skills on your resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Network Security Control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Network security control involves improving network security, a fundamental skill in cyber security engineering. Learn about how networks, routers, firewalls, and devices work so that you can adequately leverage security tools to prevent unauthorized breaches with malicious intent. Putting these skills on a resume will help employers know that you\u2019re worth hiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cloud Security<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Proficiency in cyber security will demonstrate your technical skills to a potential employer. Showing that you can resolve concerns with programs such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and other hybrid or public platforms like Azure is important. Private businesses utilize cloud infrastructures to manage applications and usually offer high-paying salaries for those with these skills.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to Find Penetration Testing Jobs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If you enjoy daily work that challenges you to think outside the box, ethical hacking might be your dream job.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are several online platforms you can use to get started when looking for jobs in penetration testing. Here are some of the most popular ones. Keep in mind that there are many places and ways to find your dream career. Networking, internships, and dropping off a resume in person are all great options as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Indeed is a job board platform that is easy to use and is used worldwide. You can find permanent, part-time, and remote jobs. This is also a great way to see what penetration tester salaries are like, in case you are negotiating with a potential employer. Indeed lets you check out company profiles with reviews from previous employees.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ZipRecruiter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

ZipRecruiter is another popular job board website. Their job listings provide job descriptions, salaries, and requirements. You may need to sign up, but once you do, you\u2019ll be able to create a profile that\u2019ll let you easily apply to any job posting.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

CareerBuilder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

CareerBuilder is a well-known job board website posting on-location, remote, permanent, and part-time positions from a wide variety of companies. You can find jobs in cyber security, among others, with the listed salary and job requirements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Prepare for Your Penetration Testing Interview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Preparing for an interview in the penetration testing industry is important. Acing the interview<\/a> is vital to your success in landing the job, so you will want to make sure you are prepared. Here are a few questions you\u2019ll likely have to answer in the interview.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Penetration Testing Interview Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n