Our guide to CompTIA PenTest+: Your path to ethical hacking expertise

If there’s a cooler modern job title than ethical hacker, we’ve yet to find it. Here at ACI Learning Hubs, we know that CompTIA PenTest+ is the top way for tech professionals to break into this rewarding and high-demand career in cybersecurity. In this blog, we'll cover the top things you need to know about CompTIA PenTest+.

What is CompTIA PenTest+? CompTIA PenTest+ is a certification offered by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). It's designed for individuals who want to become skilled penetration testers – professionals who assess and evaluate network security by attempting to exploit vulnerabilities in a controlled and ethical manner.

Prerequisites: While there are no strict prerequisites, having some prior experience or knowledge in cybersecurity, CompTIA Security+, or CompTIA Network+ can be beneficial. However, you can still pursue PenTest+ without prior certifications. It is recommended that you have knowledge or certifications in Network+, Security+ or equivalent knowledge and three to four years of hands-on information security or related experience.

Exam Details: The PenTest+ exam (PT0-002) covers a wide range of topics, including planning and scoping, information gathering and vulnerability identification, attacks and exploits, reporting and communication, and ethics and legal compliance. It consists of multiple-choice and performance-based questions.

Skills Assessed: Successful candidates will demonstrate their ability to identify, exploit, report, and manage vulnerabilities in network infrastructure and web applications. This includes hands-on experience in using various tools and techniques used by ethical hackers.

Career Opportunities: With a CompTIA PenTest+ certification, you can pursue roles like security consultant, cloud penetration tester, web app penetration tester, network security specialist, network security operations, threat intelligence analyst, vulnerability analyst and penetration tester. These professionals play a crucial role in safeguarding organizations against cyber threats. According to *Salary.com, 2023 Salary data source, the average salary of a penetration tester is $85,967 with a range of $76,007 to $96,898.

Renewal: PenTest+ is valid for three years, and you can renew it by earning continuing education units (CEUs) or by taking a higher-level CompTIA certification.

CompTIA PenTest+ and ACI Learning Tech Academy

Our new cybersecurity analyst certification training program (CySA+) includes a prep course for CompTIA PenTest+ certification. The cost of the exam is covered by ACI Learning. This course is offered in a virtual format with a live instructor. 

You will learn:

• Planning and scoping

• Information gathering and vulnerability scanning

• Attacks and exploits

• Reporting and communication

• Tools and code analysis

ACI Learning Tech Academy benefits

Our courses are always taught by a live instructor with years of industry experience. You’ll be able to ask questions, participate in group discussions, and get trained in real time. With course content that’s updated regularly, you’ll be ready to work in the industry. 

• Instructor Mentors are available for personal study support. They’ll create a personalized study plan to help you master even the toughest concepts. 

• With your enrollment, ACI Learning covers the cost of one exam attempt for each course. These exams can cost hundreds of dollars, but we know that getting the certification is the goal of each student. 

• Take classes in a way that works for you. Attend in person or online (depending on location and funding). Each course runs for four hours per day on a morning, afternoon, or evening schedule, so that you can make your training fit in with the rest of your life. 

• Everybody learns a little bit differently. Our courses include myriad ways to consume the material, including ITPro videos, study games, dynamic quizzes, practice labs, group projects, discussion sections, digital flashcards and more. 

• The American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT®) officially recommended 12 ACI Learning courses for college credit. That means a class at ACI Learning could count towards a traditional degree.