By Bailey Marshall

Hack your way into cybersecurity.

Imagine igniting your career with a globally recognized and challenging certification in cybersecurity. 

OffSec’s PEN-200 course, designed as the learning material for the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification (or OffSec Certified Professional), offers a potent mix of practical, hands-on training, cutting-edge techniques, and deep-diving theory.

This meticulously crafted program serves as the foundation for the esteemed OSCP and immerses participants in a dynamic learning experience. 

The course stands out for its fusion of practical, hands-on training, providing a real-world simulation of cybersecurity challenges. Participants gain proficiency in cutting-edge techniques and delve into the underlying theories that form the bedrock of cybersecurity knowledge. 

As you navigate PEN-200, you’re not just preparing for an exam but equipping yourself with the expertise and practical skills needed to navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape, making it a pivotal step toward a successful and impactful career.

I’m Not a Penetration Tester: Why Should I Take PEN-200?

Anyone with a passion for technology and cybersecurity should consider this course. It’s designed for:

• Technology enthusiasts who are eager to deepen their knowledge.
• Cybersecurity professionals looking to enhance their skills.
• Beginner technology students who want a solid foundation in cybersecurity.

PEN-200 is for individuals aspiring to excel in all fields of cybersecurity. It caters to a diverse audience, including penetration testers, ethical hackers, security professionals, and anyone seeking to enhance their practical skills in offensive security. 

Whether you’re a seasoned professional aiming to validate your expertise with the OSCP or a newcomer looking to establish a strong foundation in cybersecurity, PEN-200 provides a comprehensive learning experience suitable for a broad range of skill levels and backgrounds.

What is covered in the course?

PEN-200 takes you on a learning path through the lens of offensive security. It covers:

• Comprehensive understanding of penetration testing processes.
• Advanced techniques for exploiting vulnerabilities in systems.
• Strategies for maintaining access and clearing tracks.
• Methods for writing simple bash or Python scripts.

The course emphasizes hands-on, practical training, providing a holistic understanding of offensive security concepts. It is designed to equip participants with the skills needed to navigate real-world cybersecurity challenges such as:

• Network Fundamentals: Understanding the basics of networking and protocols.
• Web Application Security: Exploring vulnerabilities and techniques related to web applications.
• Buffer Overflows: Decoding the intricacies of identifying and exploiting buffer overflow vulnerabilities.
• Privilege Escalation: Learning methods to escalate privileges within systems.
• Active Directory Attacks: Understanding techniques for exploiting weaknesses in Active Directory environments.
• Shellcoding and Exploitation: Developing skills in crafting and utilizing shellcode for exploitation.
• Post-Exploitation Techniques: Covering strategies for maintaining access and exfiltrating information.

Job Opportunities: It’s Not All Hacking

The OSCP certification not only signifies mastery in offensive security but also unlocks diverse career paths with compelling job descriptions and competitive salaries. 

As a certified professional, you could seamlessly transition into roles such as a:

• Penetration Tester identifying vulnerabilities and simulating cyberattacks to assess an organization’s security posture. 
  • Penetration testers often earn competitive salaries, with the potential for increases as expertise grows.
• Vulnerability Assessor evaluating systems and networks to provide recommendations for vulnerability remediation.
  • Salaries for vulnerability assessors vary, but the OSCP can enhance your credibility.
• Security Manager overseeing overall security strategies, managing policies, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. 
  • Security managers command respectable salaries, and the OSCP can set you apart for leadership roles.
• Security Consultant advising clients on cybersecurity strategies and providing solutions to enhance security. 
  • Security consultants enjoy competitive compensation and the OSCP adds a practical dimension to their expertise.

These roles span various industries, including finance, healthcare, and technology, and the demand for skilled professionals is consistently high. 

Added Benefits of Obtaining Your OSCP

The benefits of an OSCP certification go beyond job opportunities:

• Respect and recognition: The OSCP is a respected and recognized qualification in the industry. Possessing this certification elevates your professional standing, garnering respect within the cybersecurity community and among industry peers.
• Practical skills: Unlike some certifications focusing solely on theoretical knowledge, the OSCP places a premium on practical skills. Through hands-on labs and a rigorous exam, you gain tangible experience identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities, mirroring scenarios encountered in cybersecurity engagements.
• Problem-solving aptitude: The emphasis on practical application hones your problem-solving aptitude, enabling you to approach security challenges with a comprehensive and effective mindset.
• Career progression: Armed with an OSCP certification, you stand out as a candidate for promotions and higher-level positions within your organization. These skills enhance your versatility, making you well-suited for a range of roles and responsibilities, thus facilitating your career trajectory in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.

Obtaining your OSCP opens doors to job opportunities and provides a platform for continuous learning, acknowledgment, and professional advancement. 

It positions you as a well-rounded cybersecurity professional equipped with theoretical knowledge and practical expertise, essential for thriving in the dynamic landscape of information security, and it all starts with PEN-200. 

Enroll with Applied Technology Academy today, and take the first step towards unlocking your potential.  As OffSec’s leading instructor-led training partner, we are committed to your OSCP success!