Penetration Tester Jobs

What Is a Penetration Tester?

A penetration tester, also known as pentester or ethical hacker, has the authority to stimulate a cyber attack on a computer system in order to test the security of the device or systems in place. Pentesters will mimic the actions of cyber attackers who aim to hack into security systems thus uncovering any vulnerabilities in place.

As cyber attacks are becoming a frequent occurrence, penetration testers are being sought out, with this job being in high demand in the cyber security field. It is a challenging but rewarding career, and in order to succeed a broad range of technological knowledge and skills is expected from anyone considering a career in this field.

Main Duties of a Penetration Tester

Penetration testers, or ethical hackers, have a wide range of duties at work. The most common ones cover:

Reconnaissance - gathering data and intel of systems
Searching and scanning open ports
Exploiting systems using advanced tools
Preparing reports
Running virtualisation softwares

Main Required Skills for a Penetration Tester

Analytical
Adaptable
Good decision-making skills
Great oral and written communication skills
Quick thinking