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🗡️ Penetration Tester / Red Team

Cybersecurity career path

Find and exploit weaknesses in networks, applications and people before attackers do.

Typical roles

• Penetration Tester
• Red Team Operator
• Offensive Security Consultant

Suggested certifications, by phase

Foundation

• Net+ CompTIA Network+
• Security+ CompTIA Security+
• Linux+ CompTIA Linux+

Core

• eJPT eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester
• PJPT TCM Security Practical Junior Penetration Tester
• PNPT TCM Security Practical Network Penetration Tester
• Pentest+ CompTIA PenTest+

Advanced

• OSCP Offensive Security Certified Professional
• HTB CPTS Hack the Box Certified Penetration Testing Specialist
• CRTP Altered Security Certified Red Team Professional
• CRTO Zero Point Security Certified Red Team Operator
• GPEN GIAC Certified Penetration Tester

Mastery

• OSEP Offensive Security Experienced Penetration Tester
• CRTL Zero-Point Security Certified Red Team Lead
• OSCE3 Offensive Security Certified Expert 3
• GXPN GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester

A suggestion, not a set of prerequisites — one or two certifications per phase is plenty.