Few areas of cybersecurity measure up against penetration testing in terms of importance and excitement. This activity boils down to finding flaws in computer systems so that organizations can address them proactively and forestall real-world attacks.
A pentester worth their salt should have outstanding tech skills, be a social engineering guru, and have enough confidence to try and outsmart seasoned IT professionals working for large corporations. Pentesters are often referred to as ethical hackers, and for good reason – they need to infiltrate well-secured systems to pinpoint loopholes that black hat hackers can parasitize for nefarious purposes.
The Need for Pentesters Is Growing
When it comes to expertise required for effective pentesting, the bar is set so high that companies run into serious hurdles hiring qualified specialists for the job. The challenge stems from the fact that there is a big talent gap in cybersecurity these days. The demand propels significant financial rewards in this market niche. According to Cyberseek, the average salary of a mid-level pentester is $101,000.
To excel in unveiling security imperfections in IT environments, a pentester has to master the following skills:
Programming skills needed to infiltrate digital networks.
Expertise in cybersecurity and adjacent areas, including forensics and system analysis.
Having an idea of how real crooks piggyback the human factor to gain a foothold in IT systems.
Understanding the financial, reputational, and managerial impacts of a security breach.
Problem-solving and communication skills.
Ability to document the discovered vulnerabilities in a clear-cut way.
Keeping abreast of the latest security perils.
It’s also noteworthy that every instance of penetration testing should fit the context of a specific organization and the industry it represents.
Pentester’s Duties
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