How to Become a Penetration Tester: What Skills Are Needed?

By Dr. Matthew Loux and Bryce Loux  |  03/02/2026

Nationally and globally, cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field that demands qualified professionals. As technology advances, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and other companies face constantly evolving cyber threats from adversaries who exploit security vulnerabilities in digital systems.

One of the most important roles in this field is a penetration tester (also known as a pen tester). For many aspiring cybersecurity professionals, penetration testing is especially appealing. A penetration tester develops powerful skills, such as:

• Technical expertise
• Problem solving
• Creativity
• A deep knowledge of security vulnerabilities

Unfortunately, becoming a penetration tester is not simple. It requires skills, experience, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Why The Penetration Tester Career Path Is Popular

Being able to perform a legally contracted hack is unique and exhilarating work. Cybersecurity professionals like this occupation for several reasons:

• There is a strong need for skilled penetration testers – The growing complexity of digital infrastructure and evolving cyber threats make information security more critical than ever, increasing the need for skilled penetration testers.
• Each engagement is unique – Penetration testers get to use creativity and resourcefulness to identify security vulnerabilities and complete complex security challenges.
• The work has a real impact – Penetration testers help businesses and organizations proactively mitigate breaches, avoid security flaws, and protect confidential information.

Improving Your Penetration Testing Skills

A penetration tester depends on a combination of expertise, analytical thinking, professional communication skills, and familiarity with penetration testing tools.

However, technical knowledge is not enough. Curiosity, persistence, and ethical judgment are equally important when it comes to checking for security vulnerabilities.

Over time, penetration testers develop a diverse skill set. For penetration testing activities, they need to have:

• Technical skills
• Soft skills
• Certifications

Technical Skills

Hard skills that penetration testers need include a knowledge of:

• Networking – Network protocols such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), network infrastructure, firewalls, and virtual private networks (VPNs) that ensure information security
• Operating systems – Familiarity with Kali Linux® and Windows® command-line environments
• Programming and scripting – Use of Python®, Bash®, or PowerShell®
• Web technologies – Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), JavaScript®, and Structured Query Language (SQL)
• Security fundamentals – Vulnerabilities, exploits, and defensive mechanisms

Soft Skills

Soft skills that security professionals such as penetration testers require are:

• Communication skills – Writing clear, informative reports or relaying information verbally for non-technical stakeholders such as executive leadership with zero technical knowledge
• Problem-solving abilities – Thinking creatively and analytically from an attacker’s perspective
• Persistence – Being willing to work through complex testing scenarios and maintaining focus for long work hours
• Calmness – Being able to produce timely results in high-pressure situations against attackers who gain unauthorized access to computer systems
• Ethics – Maintaining a strong commitment to professionalism, confidentiality, and responsible disclosure

However, skill development requires practice. There are various ways to develop your skills through hands-on training in safe, legal environments:

• Hack The Box® – It contains realistic labs in which you will take the role of a hacker-in-residence and break into various target systems to find security vulnerabilities.
• TryHackMe® – It is tailored to the basic levels of hacking and contains complex, guided challenges to further learning.
• VulnHub® – Users can download and utilize designated target computers to test their hacking skills.

There are also “capture the flag” ( CTF) events available online. These competitions help users to refine and develop their skills in penetrating network infrastructures and other related components.

Professional Certifications

Professional certifications help validate your skills to a hiring manager. These information technology certifications also signal to employers that you understand industry standards and have invested in your professional development.

Popular options include:

• Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) Security+® – A strong starting point that focuses on core security fundamentals and foundational knowledge for cybersecurity professionals
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH®) – Covers a broad range of hacking techniques, tools, and methodologies and is well suited for intermediate learners seeking structured exposure to offensive security concepts.
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP®) – Emphasizes hands-on penetration testing and real-world attack scenarios, including cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, Active Directory® environments, and cloud exploitation. This certification is best pursued after gaining practical experience.
• Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT®) – Concentrates on real-world penetration testing engagements, report writing, and practical decision-making skills commonly used in professional assessments.
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®) – Focuses on security management, risk, and governance and is best suited for experienced professionals moving into senior or leadership roles.

Getting into the Cybersecurity Field

A good number of penetration testers began their careers doing something else:

• IT support, system administration, and network security roles are effective starting points for building foundational skills in network penetration testing.
• System administration roles are ideal for learning how operating systems and servers are managed.
• Information security analyst jobs provide experience in monitoring systems, network security, and defensive security strategies, as well as vulnerability assessments.
• Security operations center (SOC) analyst jobs are useful for understanding how to maintain a strong security posture and responding to threats.
• Bug bounty hunting is an option for gaining experience with legal, reward-based hacking.

 Transitioning from an IT or security role may make entry into penetration testing easier.

Also, focus on applying to internships for some hands-on experience and a chance to improve your practical skills. Other ways to gain entry to this field as an entry-level penetration tester include:

• Connecting with like-minded individuals at cybersecurity events or within digital communities
• Identifying a current industry professional to act as your guide/mentor
• Joining cybersecurity-focused communities online such as ASIS International or Cloud Security Alliance

Interview Preparation for Penetration Testers

Potential employers love to see proof of your computer security skills when they hire penetration testers. You can build a useful portfolio for interviews by:

• Writing blog articles detailing your penetration tester tasks, the vulnerabilities you exploited, and the challenges that you overcame
• Documenting penetration tests and outlining the tools and steps you used, especially for CTF challenges
• Sharing scripts and tools on GitHub® and other platforms

Be prepared to discuss your portfolio in detail during interviews. Keep in mind that employers are looking for enthusiasm and determination as much as they are looking for technical expertise.

Preparing for penetration testing interviews requires both technical readiness and strong communication skills. Employers want to see that you understand core security concepts, can clearly explain your reasoning clearly, and approach testing ethically and methodically.

Candidates should be prepared to answer questions directly related to a professional penetration tester's work, such as:

• What is SQL injection, and how would you explain it to someone without a technical background?
• In what scenarios are Nmap® useful during a penetration test?
• How do you evaluate the security of a web application?
• How do you identify security flaws in computer systems that could be potential vulnerabilities and report them?
• How do you approach ethical considerations and information sensitivity during testing?
• What security controls should be taken to ensure cloud security and physical security?

Interviewers may also ask candidates to demonstrate their familiarity with common tools such as Nmap, Metasploit®, or Burp Suite®, as well as to explain the standard methodology of a penetration test.

Strong communication is essential. Being able to clearly explain complex technical concepts in simple terms is just as important as demonstrating technical skills.

Continuous Learning Is Vital in Penetration Testing

Cybersecurity is a rapidly evolving field, and penetration testers must continuously update their penetration testing knowledge and skills to remain effective. New critical vulnerabilities, tools, and attack techniques emerge regularly, making ongoing education a professional necessity rather than an option.

Effective ways to stay current include:

• Monitoring newly disclosed vulnerabilities through Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE®) databases
• Following reputable cybersecurity blogs and research outlets, such as Krebs on Security and PortSwigger®
• Participating in webinars, conferences, and industry events
• Practicing with new tools and techniques in lab or simulation environments

The Benefits of Penetration Testing

Working in penetration testing can be very satisfying, for several reasons:

• Intellectual challenge – Each activity presents a unique environment, requiring creativity, analytical thinking, and adaptability to uncover vulnerabilities.
• Continuous professional growth – Because attack techniques evolve constantly, penetration testers are continually learning and developing new skills.
• Real-world impact – Penetration testers help organizations identify weaknesses before they are exploited, protecting sensitive data, systems, and users.
• Career specialization opportunities – With experience, professionals can focus on areas such as web applications, cloud environments, mobile security, or Internet of Things (IoT) systems.

If you choose to pursue this career path, you will have the privilege of competing in a challenging field, while simultaneously protecting organizations from a wide range of global threats.

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity at APU

For students interested in developing their cybersecurity and penetration testing knowledge, American Public University (APU) offers an online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity. For this degree, students can take courses in scripting languages, cyber warfare, and red and blue team security. Other courses include hardening operating systems, networking concepts, IT security planning and policy, and cybersecurity.

Students can also pursue one of five concentrations to meet their professional goals. These concentrations include:

• Critical infrastructure
• Digital forensics
• General
• Privacy and surveillance
• Wireless and mobile security

For more details about this B.S. in cybersecurity, visit APU’s information technology degree program page.

Kali Linux is a registered trademark of Offsec Services, Ltd.
Windows is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation.
Python is a registered trademark of the Python Software Foundation.
Bash is a registered trademark of Bash Technologies, LLC.
PowerShell is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation.
JavaScript is a registered trademark of Oracle America, Inc.
Hack the Box is a registered trademark of Hack the Box, Ltd.
TryHackMe is a registered trademark of TryHackMe, Ltd.
VulnHub is a registered trademark of Offsec Services, Ltd.
CompTIA Security+ is a registered trademark of the Computing Technology Industry Association.
Certified Ethical Hacker is a registered trademark of the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants.
Offensive Security Certified Professional is a registered trademark of Offsec Services, Ltd.
Active Directory is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation.
Practical Network Penetration Tester is a registered trademark of TCM Security.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional is a registered trademark of the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium.
GitHub is a registered trademark of GitHub, Inc.
Nmap is a registered trademark of Nmap Software, LLC.
Metasploit is a registered trademark of Rapid7, LLC.
Burp Suite is a registered trademark of Portswigger, Ltd.
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures is a registered trademark of the MITRE Corporation.
Portswigger is a registered trademark of Portswigger, Ltd.