How to Become a Penetration Tester: 2026 Career Guide

Penetration testers, or pen testers for short, perform simulated cyberattacks on a company’s computer systems and networks. These authorised tests help identify security vulnerabilities and weaknesses before malicious hackers can potentially exploit them.

Discover more details about what penetration testers do, why this in-demand cybersecurity career could be a good fit for you, and how you can begin preparing. 

What does a penetration tester do?

As a penetration tester, you’ll take a proactive, offensive role in cybersecurity by attacking a company’s existing digital systems. These tests might use various hacking tools and techniques to find gaps that hackers could exploit. Throughout the process, you’ll document your actions, create a report on what you did, and outline how successful you were at breaching security protocols.  

Penetration tester tasks and responsibilities

The day-to-day tasks of a pen tester will vary depending on the organisation. Some everyday tasks you may encounter in this role, pulled from actual job listings, include:

• Perform tests on applications, network devices, and cloud infrastructures

• Design and conduct simulated social engineering attacks

• Research and experiment with different types of attacks

• Develop methodologies for penetration testing

• Review code for security vulnerabilities

• Reverse engineer malware or spam

• Document security and compliance issues

• Automate standard testing techniques to improve efficiency

• Write technical and executive reports

• Communicate findings to both technical staff and executive leadership

• Validate security improvements with additional testing

Another popular course for learning cybersecurity is IBM's Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate. Watch this introduction to penetration testing for a preview of the course:

Where do penetration testers work?

Penetration testers work in various environments, from within the offices of the company you work for to working for yourself as a freelancer. Depending on the organisation, industry, and other factors, you may work for a company, as a freelancer, or with a specialised firm or organisation. You could work on-site, remotely, or via an off-site location. Explore more about the potential work environments of a penetration tester: 

• In-house: As an in-house penetration tester, you work directly for a company or organisation. This typically lets you become familiar with the company’s security protocols. You may also have more input into the company’s new security features and fixes.

• Security firm: Some organisations hire an outside security firm to conduct penetration testing. Working for a security firm offers greater variety in the tests you can design and perform. 

• Freelance: Some penetration testers choose to work as freelancers. Choosing this path can give you greater flexibility in your schedule, but you may need to spend more time looking for clients early in your career.

Penetration testing vs ethical hacking

The cybersecurity world sometimes uses the terms ‘penetration testing’ and ‘ethical hacking’ interchangeably. However, the two terms have slightly different meanings. Penetration testing focuses on locating security issues in specific information systems without causing damage. Ethical hacking, meanwhile, is a broader umbrella term that includes a more comprehensive range of hacking methods. You can think of penetration testing as one facet of ethical hacking. Both roles overlap with a cybersecurity Red Team—the group that gives security feedback from the adversary's perspective.

How to become a penetration tester

To become a penetration tester, focus on seeking opportunities to build the key skills you’ll need as a penetration tester—such as courses, certifications, real-world simulations, and more. Entry-level positions in the field of cybersecurity can also provide you with opportunities to learn the critical technical skills of a penetration tester. A degree is only sometimes a requirement, but it can help you enter the industry. A relevant degree in computer science, information security, cybersecurity, or a related field is ideal. 

It’s also possible to earn formal educational credentials through an apprenticeship program. You can pursue a Level 6 Cyber Security Technical Professional apprenticeship, which combines work with part-time university study. The Civil Service also offers a Government Security Cyber Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6), training you to become a technical cyber specialist to help protect the UK. 

As a penetration tester, you can earn a living by legally hacking into security systems. It can be a fast-paced, exciting job if you are interested in cybersecurity and problem-solving. Consider these steps you might take to get your first job as a penetration tester:

1. Develop penetration testing skills.

Penetration testers need a solid understanding of information technology (IT) and security systems to test them for vulnerabilities. Skills you might find on a pen tester job description include:

• Network and application security

• Programming languages, especially for scripting (Python, BASH, Java, Ruby, Perl)

• Threat modelling

• Linux, Windows, and MacOS environments

• Security assessment tools

• Pentest management platforms

• Technical writing and documentation

• Cryptography

• Cloud architecture

• Remote access technologies

Popular penetration tester tools

Today’s penetration testers have various tools to help make their jobs faster and more efficient. If you’re interested in becoming a pen tester, it can help to gain familiarity with one or more of these tools.

*Kali Linux: Popular pen testing operating system

*Nmap: Port scanner for network discovery

*Wireshark: Packet sniffer to analyse traffic on your network

*John the Ripper: Open-source password cracker

*Burp Suite: Application security testing tools

*Nessus: Vulnerability assessment tool

*OWASP ZAP Proxy: Web application security scanner

2. Enrol in a course or training programme.

Enrolling in a specialised course or training program is one of the best ways to develop your skills as a penetration tester. As a prospective penetration tester, you should consider professional qualifications, such as courses or training programmes, especially if you don't have formal educational qualifications. 

With these programmes, you can learn in a more structured environment while building multiple skills simultaneously. 

If you’re new to cybersecurity, consider an option like the IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, which includes a unit on penetration testing and incident response. Given that the entire programme is online and you can study at your own pace, you can learn job-ready skills while working or managing life’s other responsibilities.

Do I need a degree to become a penetration tester?

Although having a degree in computer science, information technology, or cybersecurity can be valuable, not all penetration testing jobs require a degree. Typically, your experience level and ability to complete the task matter more than what degree (if any) you have. If you’re starting in cybersecurity without a related degree, pursuing a certification to validate your skills might be helpful.

3. Get certified.

Cybersecurity certifications demonstrate to recruiters and hiring managers that you have the skills to succeed in the industry. In addition to these more general cybersecurity certifications, you can consider getting certified in penetration testing or ethical hacking. Reputable certifications to consider include:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

• CompTIA PenTest+

• GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)

• GIAC Web Application Penetration Tester (GWAPT)

• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

• Certified Penetration Tester (CPT)

Earning one of these certifications generally requires passing an exam. Besides earning a credential for your CV, preparing for a certification exam can often help you develop your skill set.

4. Practice in real and simulated environments.

Many companies want to hire penetration testers with previous experience. Luckily, you can pursue ways to start gaining experience outside of the workplace. For instance, many pen testing training programmes include hands-on testing in simulated environments.

Another way to gain experience (and make your CV stand out) is to participate in bug bounty programmes. In these programmes, companies typically offer bonuses to independent pen testers and security researchers who find and report security flaws or bugs in their code. It’s an excellent way to test your skills and start networking with other security professionals. You can find a list of bounties on sites like Bugcrowd and HackerOne. 

Finally, you’ll find several websites designed to allow penetration testers to practice and experiment through fun, gamified experiences legally. A few sites to get you started include:

• Hack the Box

• Hack.me

• Hack This Site

• WebGoat

5. Start in an entry-level IT position.

Many penetration testers start in more entry-level IT and cybersecurity roles before progressing to pen testing. To pursue a career in pen testing, start with roles like junior systems administrator, network or systems administrator, information security analyst, or other IT support or development positions to build your IT skills.

6. Begin your job search.

When you’re ready to begin applying for pen tester jobs, extend your search beyond the usual job sites. While LinkedIn, Indeed, and Reed are excellent resources, you should also consider scanning specialised cybersecurity job boards, like Dice, CyberSecJobs.com, IT JobsWatch, Cybershark Recruitment, and Barclay Simpson.

Why pursue a career in penetration testing?

A career as a penetration tester allows you to apply your hacking skills for the greater good by helping organisations protect themselves from cyber criminals. It’s also an in-demand, high-paying career path.

Penetration tester salary

According to Glassdoor, the estimated annual base pay for penetration testers in the UK is £49,257. This figure does not include additional pay in the form of profit-sharing, commissions, or bonuses. Glassdoor estimates that your additional pay could add an average of £3,371 to your earnings [1]. Your salary will also depend on several factors, including location, experience, education, and certifications. 

Job outlook

Due to the immense career opportunities in cybersecurity and the increased demand for skilled professionals with relevant skills, the job outlook for penetration testers remains positive. As the world increases its need for individuals with digital skills, so will the need for careers such as penetration tester. Additionally, penetration is considered a secure and in-demand profession in the UK. 

Career path for penetration testers

As you gain experience as a penetration tester, you may advance to lead a pen testing team. Some penetration testers progress to become information security managers and may even move into consultant work or executive roles.

Start your career in cybersecurity

Ready to develop both technical and workplace skills for a career in cybersecurity? Build your skill set to prepare for positions like penetration tester and more. For example, the beginner-friendly Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate on Coursera is your gateway to exploring job titles like security analyst and SOC (security operations centre) analyst. Upon completion, you’ll have exclusive access to a job platform with over 150 employees hiring for entry-level cybersecurity roles and other resources that can support your job search. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)