Penetration Testers

system procedure information security computer activity critical system feature of products test computer system operation criminal activity

Cyber Systems Engineer, System Vulnerability Analyst, Threat Hunter, Vulnerability Assessor

What they do:
Evaluate network system security by conducting simulated internal and external cyberattacks using adversary tools and techniques. Attempt to breach and exploit critical systems and gain access to sensitive information to assess system security.
On the job, you would:
  • Document penetration test findings.
  • Identify security system weaknesses, using penetration tests.
  • Write audit reports to communicate technical and procedural findings and recommend solutions.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics
  • product and service development

Communications

  • telecommunications
  • multimedia

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Business

  • customer service

Skills

Basic Skills

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by writing
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
  • notice when problems happen

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Initiative
  • Innovation
  • Adaptability
  • Perseverance
  • Achievement Orientation
  • Intellectual Curiosity

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Development environment software

  • Go Hot Technology
  • Oracle Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition J2EE Hot Technology

Operating system software

  • Apple iOS Hot Technology
  • Google Android Hot Technology

Transaction security and virus protection software

  • Metasploit In Demand
  • Rapid7 software

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 4)
bachelor's degree or
certificate after high school
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training
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Job Outlook

Bright
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about Penetration Testers.