Pen Testers
Pen testers develop and execute tests to detect security flaws in computer networks. They can target internal or external assets, and work either on-site or remotely. Pen testers use various tools and techniques to carry out tests and identify vulnerabilities, which they document and communicate to their employers and clients. Pen testers also perform research and collect “open source intelligence” from real hackers and other sources. These findings will help them determine whether or not a particular system or software vulnerability is vulnerable.
Whether you’re interested in learning coding languages or are already working as an information technology professional, penetration testing may be the perfect career move for you. With an average salary of $75,000 for entry-level pen testers, you can expect to earn upwards of $115,000 as you gain experience and expertise. Many organizations prefer to hire individuals with industry certifications. Pen testers also have the opportunity to supervise junior professionals.
As a pen tester, you’ll need to stay on top of new technologies and hacking techniques. You’ll need to be able to communicate well with clients to properly communicate your findings. The best candidates will have good technical skills as well as a strong ethical compass. As a pen tester, you’ll have to work on a team of people and do all of this in a highly ethical environment. Pen testers need to be creative and have a dedication to security.
What Do Pen Testers Do?
While penetration testing is often referred to as ethical hacking, it is a legitimate form of security. Pen testers perform full assessments of the IT security posture of organizations and uncover weaknesses before hackers can exploit them. By identifying vulnerabilities and weaknesses before hackers get a chance to exploit them, pen testers can prevent a breach of consumer confidence and prevent future security problems. It’s a fun, rewarding career with lots of potential.
As a pen tester, you’ll be working with extremely high-security systems and have access to hundreds of thousands of people’s personal information. While it doesn’t take a degree to become a pen tester, you’ll still need a background in cybersecurity or computer science. Most hiring companies require a bachelor’s degree and some kind of certification. A pen tester will also need to have a good understanding of JavaScript and scripting languages.
In addition to analyzing the network’s security, a pen tester must have excellent communication skills. Oftentimes, pen testers must write reports detailing the vulnerabilities they found. It’s important for these security experts to keep up with new exploits to help protect their clients. Having good communication skills and a working knowledge of business and management is a key requirement for this job. You’ll also need to know a few hacking languages.
