What does a Penetration Tester do?

Penetration Testers can work in-house, within a security firm or as freelancers. They are cybersecurity professionals responsible for identifying bugs or security compliance issues within a business’s IT infrastructure. Their role is to simulate cybercriminal attacks on a business’s systems in order to identify how easy it is to compromise them. Penetration Testers gather information gained through simulated attacks, presenting them to the company’s in-house technical team and its executives. They might also provide suggestions and solutions for improving the company’s cybersecurity approaches. 

Penetration Tester skills and qualifications

A successful Penetration Tester candidate typically has the following skills and qualifications:

• Proficiency in programming languages, particularly scripting languages such as Python
• Ability to work across multiple operating systems, including macOS, Windows and Linux
• Strong technical writing skills required for drawing up reports
• Expertise in common penetration testing tools such as Kali Linux, Nessus, OWASP ZAP Proxy and Nmap
• Ability to work well as part of a team of other IT and cybersecurity professionals
• Clear communication skills to convey findings accurately and clearly to both technical and executive staff
• Analytical skills to identify security weaknesses and suggest improvements to security policies
• Attention to detail with the ability to spot patterns and vulnerabilities within systems

Penetration Tester experience requirements

It is generally useful to include the following experience in a Penetration Tester job description: proven previous experience of working on cybersecurity and penetration testing projects, participation in ‘bug bounty’ programmes involving reporting security flaws as an independent tester, experience with software development, coding, and network systems, security research knowledge or knowledge of related fields, experience in reverse engineering software including malware, and a background in IT or cybersecurity settings.

Penetration Tester education and training requirements

Penetration Testers typically benefit from the completion of a cybersecurity training programme covering penetration testing and incident response, such as the IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate. They may also be more competitive with a penetration testing-specific certification such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN), Certified Penetration Tester (CPT) or other similar training.

Penetration Tester salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Penetration tester is £53,879 per year. Salary may be dependent on experience, location and company. Salary may vary according to experience, location, employer and area of speciality.

Job description samples for similar positions 

If this is not quite what you’re looking for, similar job descriptions include:

• Cybersecurity Analyst
• Cybersecurity Architect
• IT Technician
• Software Engineer

Penetration Tester job description FAQs

What is the difference between vulnerability scanning and penetration testing?

Vulnerability scanning involves simply identifying weaknesses in a system, network or software. In contrast, penetration testing goes a step further by simulating real cyberattacks, testing whether a business’s cybersecurity defences can prevent an attack. It is more effective to use penetration testing after an update to a cybersecurity or IT system. Vulnerability testing is typically a preventative measure.  

Should penetration testers provide a portfolio of previous projects?

Yes, asking Penetration Tester candidates to supply a portfolio might be beneficial. Platforms such as Hack the Box allow penetration testers to showcase their skills and completed challenges. Being able to demonstrate reports or write-ups of previous penetration testing projects can be valuable, as this shows a candidate’s ability to explain their findings. 

What is the difference between a Penetration Tester and a Security Analyst?

While both roles focus on cybersecurity, they have distinct responsibilities. A Penetration Tester is primarily responsible for testing cybersecurity systems. However, a Security Analyst may perform penetration testing alongside other duties such as offering cybersecurity consultations, creating contingency plans, identifying threat patterns and creating cybersecurity awareness training programmes for staff.

What working hours does a Penetration Tester have?

When writing a job description for a Penetration Tester, consider whether the role involves occasional penetration testing projects or if you require a full-time, in-house specialist. Clearly specifying how often their services will be needed can help attract the right candidates. If you plan to recruit a Penetration Tester remotely, also include which time zone(s) they will need to be available.