PEN-200: Penetration Testing with Kali Linux

FAQ

• What is the OSCP+ certification?

  The OffSec Certified Professional (OSCP+ & OSCP) certification, are designed for cybersecurity professionals to validate practical, hands-on skills in ethical hacking and penetration testing. The OSCP+ certification is issued upon completion of the exam, anytime after November 1, 2024. Successful candidates demonstrate proficiency in identifying vulnerabilities, exploiting systems, escalating privileges, and documenting their findings in a real-world environment. The certification is relevant to roles such as penetration testers, security analysts, and consultants, confirming their ability to conduct comprehensive security assessments.

• What's the difference between the OSCP & the OSCP+?

  Learn more about the changes made to the OSCP that resulted in the OSCP+ by reading our helpcenter article here.

• What is the OSCP+ exam?

  The OffSec Certified Professional+ (OSCP+) exam is a rigorous, proctored, 24-hour practical assessment of your penetration testing skills. You’ll demonstrate your ability to identify, exploit, and report on vulnerabilities in live systems within a lab environment. Following the exam, you have an additional 24 hours to submit a comprehensive penetration testing report.

• What format is the OSCP+ exam in?

  The OSCP+ exam is entirely hands-on. You will be given access to a lab environment and tasked with compromising live systems, demonstrating your practical penetration testing abilities.

• Who is the PEN-200 course for?

  The PEN-200 course is ideal for security professionals seeking to enhance their ethical hacking skills and earn the industry-recognized OSCP pen testing certification. It’s designed for individuals who have a solid foundation in networking and basic familiarity with Linux and Windows systems.

• What are the prerequisites for PEN-200?

  While there are no formal prerequisites, it’s strongly recommended that you have:

  • A solid foundation in TCP/IP networking
  • Basic scripting abilities (e.g., Bash, Python)
  • Familiarity with Linux and Windows operating systems

  Learners can also go through our Network Penetration Testing Essentials Learning Path to ensure they’re ready for the course, included in Learn Fundamentals and Learn One subscriptions.

• What competencies will I gain?

  Upon completing PEN-200 and successfully passing the OSCP exam, you’ll have mastered core penetration testing methodologies, including:

  • Information gathering and vulnerability scanning
  • Exploit development and execution
  • Privilege escalation (Windows and Linux)
  • Web application attacks
  • Active Directory exploitation
• How does OffSec support my online journey?

  Throughout the online training course, you’ll have access to:

  • A virtual lab environment for hands-on practice
  • Extensive course information and materials, including videos and exercises
  • A vibrant online community of students and OffSec professionals
• What is the exam retake policy?

  If a learner needs more lab access time or needs to retake an exam, Exam Retakes & Lab Extensions can be purchased additionally through the OffSec Training Library.

  • OSCP Certification Exam Retake Fee: $249
  • PEN-200 lab access extension of 30 days: $359
• What’s next after the OSCP+?

  The OSCP+ certification opens up a wide range of exciting possibilities within cybersecurity!  Here are a few paths to consider, depending on your interests:

  • Deepen your penetration testing expertise: Advance your skills with specialized courses in web application security (WEB-200/300) or take on the rigorous PEN-300: Advanced Evasion Techniques and Breaching Defenses (OSEP) course.
  • Develop exploit writing skills: Learn the intricate art of crafting your own exploits with courses focused on windows and macOS vulnerabilities (EXP-301/312).
  • Transition into defensive roles: Gain a strong foundation in security operations and incident response (SOC-200, Incident Responder Essentials Learning Path) to enhance your value as a well-rounded security professional.
  • Explore lateral movements: Design your ideal career path by strategically combining OffSec’s offerings. Pursue roles like secure software developer, cloud engineer, or threat hunter by supplementing your OSCP knowledge with adjacent specializations.