HDTC ACADEMY | CompTIA PenTest

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CompTIA PenTest

CompTIA PenTest+ is an intermediate-skills level cybersecurity certification that focuses on offensive skills through pen testing and vulnerability assessment. Cybersecurity professionals with CompTIA PenTest+ know how plan, scope, and manage weaknesses, not just exploit them.

The CompTIA PenTest+ certification exam will verify the successful candidate has the knowledge and skills required to:

Plan and scope a penetration testing engagement
Understand legal and compliance requirements
Perform vulnerability scanning and penetration testing using appropriate tools and techniques, and then analyze the results
Produce a written report containing proposed remediation techniques, effectively communicate results to the management team, and provide practical recommendations

Planning and Scoping; Includes updated techniques emphasizing governance, risk and compliance concepts, scoping and organizational/customer requirements, and demonstrating an ethical hacking mindset
Information Gathering and Vulnerability Scanning: Includes updated skills on performing vulnerability scanning and passive/active reconnaissance, vulnerability management, as well as analyzing the results of the reconnaissance exercise
Attacks and Exploits: Includes updated approaches to expanded attack surfaces, researching social engineering techniques, performing network attacks, wireless attacks, application-based attacks and attacks on cloud technologies, and performing post-exploitation techniques
Reporting and Communication: Expanded to focus on the importance of reporting and communication in an increased regulatory environment during the pen testing process through analyzing findings and recommending appropriate remediation within a report
Tools and Code Analysis: Includes updated concepts of identifying scripts in various software deployments, analyzing a script or code sample, and explaining use cases of various tools used during the phases of a penetration test–scripting or coding is not required

The outcomes and professional benefits of taking a CompTIA Pentest+ course include the following:

learn the techniques and methodologies used in penetration testing to identify and exploit network and system infrastructure vulnerabilities.
learn to plan and scope a penetration testing engagement, including legal and ethical considerations.
Students will learn to use various tools and techniques to conduct surveillance, vulnerability scanning, and exploit development.
Students will learn to conduct post-exploitation activities, such as data exfiltration and maintaining access to a compromised system.
Students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to report on their findings and make recommendations for remediation.
Professionally, earning a CompTIA Pentest+ certification can help increase job opportunities and salary potential in the field of cybersecurity, as well as demonstrate a high level of expertise in penetration testing to potential employers.

The CompTIA PenTest+ certification is aimed at:

Penetration Testers and Ethical Hackers conducting security assessments.
Security Analysts and Network Security Engineers working to protect systems and networks.
IT Managers and Security Consultants overseeing and advising on security measures.
Cybersecurity Students and enthusiasts looking to build practical penetration testing skills.

While there is no required prerequisite, PenTest+ is intended to follow CompTIA Security+ or equivalent experience and has a technical, hands-on focus.
Network+, Security+ or equivalent knowledge
Minimum of 3-4 years of hands-on information security or related experience

CompTIA PenTest+ is important for many reasons. For starters, it is the most comprehensive exam covering all penetration testing stages. Unlike other penetration testing exams that only cover a portion of stages, PenTest+ uses both performance-based and knowledge-based questions to ensure all stages are addressed.

Additionally, CompTIA PenTest+ proves to potential employers that you have the most relevant pen testing skills for the cloud, hybrid environments, web applications, internet of things (IoT) devices, embedded systems and traditional on-premises.