Penetration Testing Certifications: Overview & Top 5 Certs

A guide to penetration testing certifications, including what they are, why they're valuable, and the best pen testing credentials for your cybersecurity career path.

This post will be updated annually with the top pen-testing certificates.

Penetration testing - a.k.a. “pentesting” - involves simulating attacks on networks and computer systems to identify vulnerabilities which can then be shored up by the cybersecurity team. Pen testing is a vital component of an organization’s information security strategy.

Pen testing certifications are professional credentials earned by IT security specialists who demonstrate a level of proficiency in this field. The leading pen-tester certificates are offered by various types of institutions, including cybersecurity industry associations, globally recognized certifying bodies, and technical training providers.

In this post, we will identify the best penetration testing certifications by experience level and specialization. For each certificate, we’ll highlight the key skills it covers, prerequisites, costs, benefits, training options, and more.

Benefits of Pen Testing Certifications

As cyber attacks continue to escalate in frequency and sophistication, organizations must ensure that their systems and data are secure. Pen-testing certifications validate an info-sec professional’s ability to protect these assets from attackers, providing certified pros with better career opportunities. From the company's perspective, employing certified penetration testers drives compliance, confidence in their employees' skills, and a competitive edge.

Advantages of pen testing certifications for individuals:

• Validation of Current Skills: Certifications assure companies that you have a thorough understanding of the latest penetration testing tools, techniques, and methodologies.
• Career Advancement: Certification is often a job requirement in this field. Certified pen testers are more likely to receive higher-paying jobs and promotions than their non-certified counterparts.
• Credibility and Dedication: Certified pen testers gain credibility in the eyes of employers. Pursuing and earning a pentesting cert shows you’ve put in the time and effort to be on the cutting edge of this fast-moving space.

Organizational benefits of employing certified pen testers:

• Compliance: Many public and private industries have compliance requirements that mandate the use of certified pros for penetration testing. For example, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requires companies that handle credit card data to use certified pen testers.
• Competitive Advantage: Companies that employ certified penetration testers demonstrate to clients and stakeholders that they take cybersecurity seriously and are committed to protecting their assets. This edge drives increased business opportunities and higher profits.

The Best Penetration Testing Certifications

Each pen-testing certificate has its own costs, benefits, requirements, and areas of focus. These are some of our favorite penetration testing certifications and the info you need to determine which credential is the right fit for you.

In increasing order of experience level, here are the best pen testing certifications:

Conclusion

Penetration testing certifications are critical to an organization's information security posture, and the demand for these professional credentials will grow as cyber attacks continue to escalate.

The best pen-testing certifications at each level are:

Preparing for and earning one or more of these sought-after certificates will be a solid step in your penetration testing career path.