{"id":36106,"date":"2023-05-19T10:56:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-19T17:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/?p=36106"},"modified":"2025-01-27T04:11:52","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T12:11:52","slug":"penetration-testing-courses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/cybersecurity\/penetration-testing-courses\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Best Penetration Testing Courses & Certificates for 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether it\u2019s healthcare or banking, every industry that deals with sensitive, personal information has to be ready for cyberattacks. And one of the main ways that organizations prepare for these sorts of attacks is by using penetration testers\u2014in-house cybersecurity experts who simulate a cyberattack to find a system\u2019s faults before actual hackers do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it\u2019s clear that penetration testers are in increasingly high demand, the path to becoming a penetration tester isn\u2019t as clear-cut. One of the most common ways to become a penetration tester is through an online course or certificate. But even this path is murky, given the sheer number of courses available. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why we\u2019ve compiled this guide. Below, we\u2019ll detail the twelve best penetration testing courses and certificates, and give you the information you\u2019ll need to pick the course that\u2019s right for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Penetration Testing?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Penetration testing is the process of simulating a cyber attack (such as a spoofing attack<\/a>) to expose vulnerabilities. These ethical hackers, as they\u2019re often called, mimic the strategies of threat actors to find security weaknesses in network devices, applications, and operating systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Penetration Testing Courses and Certificates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Penetration testing is a niche area of cybersecurity<\/a>. Choose from these courses to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n <\/colgroup>\n \n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
Company<\/th>Course\/Certificate<\/th>Rank<\/th>Price<\/th>Details<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/springboard-logo-copy.png, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/springboard-logo-copy.png, springboard-logo-copy<\/td>Cybersecurity Careeer Track<\/td>4.65<\/td>$11,340<\/td>https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/courses\/cyber-security-career-track\/<\/td> <\/tr>\n
, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/udemy-logo.jpg, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/udemy-logo.jpg, udemy-logo<\/td>Website Hacking \/ Penetration Testing<\/td>4.4<\/td>$42.5<\/td>https:\/\/www.udemy.com\/course\/learn-website-hacking-penetration-testing-from-scratch\/<\/td> <\/tr>\n
, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sans-logo.jpg, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sans-logo.jpg, sans-logo<\/td>JavaScript for Beginners Specialization<\/td>N\/A<\/td>$8500<\/td>https:\/\/www.sans.org\/cyber-security-courses\/enterprise-penetration-testing\/<\/td> <\/tr>\n
, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/coursera-logo.png, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/coursera-logo.png, Coursera logo<\/td>Penetration Testing, Incident Response and Forensics<\/td>4.6<\/td>$145<\/td>https:\/\/www.coursera.org\/learn\/ibm-penetration-testing-incident-response-forensics<\/td> <\/tr>\n
, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/virtual-hacking-labs-logo.jpg, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/virtual-hacking-labs-logo.jpg, virtual-hacking-labs-logo<\/td>Penetration Testing Course<\/td>N\/A<\/td>$449<\/td>https:\/\/www.virtualhackinglabs.com\/?courses=penetration-testing<\/td> <\/tr>\n
, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/hackersploit.jpg, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/hackersploit.jpg, hackersploit<\/td>Penetration Testing Bootcamp<\/td>N\/A<\/td>N\/A<\/td>https:\/\/hackersploit.org\/penetration-testing-bootcamp\/<\/td> <\/tr>\n
, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/edx.jpg, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/edx.jpg, edx<\/td>Penetration Testing - Discovering Vulnerabilities<\/td>N\/A<\/td>$166<\/td><\/td> <\/tr>\n
, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/offensive-security-logo.jpg, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/offensive-security-logo.jpg, offensive-security-logo<\/td>Official OSCP certification course<\/td>N\/A<\/td>$5499<\/td>https:\/\/www.offensive-security.com\/pwk-oscp\/<\/td> <\/tr>\n
, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/infosec-logo.jpg, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/infosec-logo.jpg, infosec-logo<\/td>Penetration Testing Training Boot Camp<\/td>4.7<\/td>$9640<\/td>https:\/\/www.infosecinstitute.com\/courses\/complete-penetration-testing-10-day\/<\/td> <\/tr>\n
, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/pluralsight-logo.jpg, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/pluralsight-logo.jpg, pluralsight-logo<\/td>Pen Testing<\/td>4.4<\/td>$179<\/td>https:\/\/www.pluralsight.com\/paths\/pentesting<\/td> <\/tr>\n
, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ec-council-logo.jpg, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/ec-council-logo.jpg, ec-council-logo<\/td>Ethical Hacking Certification<\/td>N\/A<\/td>$1119<\/td>https:\/\/www.eccouncil.org\/programs\/certified-ethical-hacker-ceh\/<\/td> <\/tr>\n
, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/comptia-logo.jpg, https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/comptia-logo.jpg, comptia-logo<\/td>CompTIA PenTest+<\/td>4.7<\/td>$977<\/td>https:\/\/www.comptia.org\/certifications\/pentest<\/td> <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n \n \n \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

Cybersecurity Bootcamp – Springboard<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"best<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rating<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Course Report: 4.64<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SwitchUp: 4.68<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CareerKarma: 4.65<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Average: 4.65<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prerequisites<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is a foundational-to-advanced course, so go ahead and choose this, even if you have no prior knowledge in cybersecurity. However, you do need to complete a soft skills assessment before enrolling in the course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Springboard\u2019s Cybersecurity Bootcamp encompasses everything you need to know to become a cybersecurity professional. This part-time online course spans 380 teaching hours, with 35 mini-projects throughout the course and a capstone project at the end. Since the hours are flexible, even those with full-time jobs can pursue this course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each student has a career coach and industry mentor to guide them through the job placement process. If you don\u2019t land a job within six months of completion of the bootcamp, you\u2019ll receive a full refund.<\/p>\n\n\n

Get To Know Other\tCybersecurity Students<\/h4>
\"Karen<\/a>

Karen Peterson<\/p>

Compliance Advisory Associate at Coalfire<\/p><\/div>

<\/div>

Read Story<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>

\"Jose<\/a>

Jose Mendoza<\/p>

Cyber Security Career Track Student at Springboard<\/p><\/div>

Read Story<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div>

\"Vianey<\/a>

Vianey Luna<\/p>

IT Security Specialist at Cooper Machinery Services<\/p><\/div>

Read Story<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Best For<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Those looking for 1:1 support even after completion of the course and want to break into penetration testing by first nailing down the fundamentals of cybersecurity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"YouTube
<\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/div>

Duration <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a 6-month program with a recommended study time of 15-20 hours per week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The tuition fee is $11,340. You get a discount if you pay upfront, or you can also opt for flexible payment plans like month-to-month, deferred plans, or loans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn More ><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Website Hacking \/ Penetration Testing – Udemy<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"best<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rating<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Udemy: 4.6 (based on 15,800 ratings on the course website)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CareerKarma: 4<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SwitchUp: 4.6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Average: 4.4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prerequisites: <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For this course, you\u2019ll need to already possess some basic IT skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Udemy\u2019s course spans over ninety videos devoted to website hacking and detecting bugs, from beginner concepts to advanced modules. Discovering blind spots and knowing how to scrape websites for sensitive information will prepare you for becoming a bounty hunter (another term for a penetration tester<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best For<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Those who want to learn from an active industry expert. The course creator is an ethical hacker with a company that provides penetration testing services and cybersecurity training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duration <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There is no fixed duration. The course content spans over 10 hours, so you may be able to complete it within a couple of weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This course costs $42.5, with a 30-day money-back guarantee and lifetime access to all the material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn More ><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Enterprise Penetration Testing – SANS Institute<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"best<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rating<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

N\/A<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prerequisites<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

For this course, you\u2019ll need basic knowledge of Windows and Linus and a working knowledge of TCP\/IP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

SANS Institute offers a hybrid course on penetration testing. You will receive virtual machines equipped with the requisite ethical hacking<\/a> tools, hacking challenges, recordings, cheat sheets, and worksheets. The course consists of around thirty lab exercises and covers the techniques and tools penetration testers use in large organizations. You will also conduct an end-to-end penetration test against a sample organization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best For<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This course is ideal for those who have worked as penetration testers and ethical hackers and want to upskill. Forensic specialists and incident responders<\/a> who want insight into hacking strategies can also benefit from this course. This is also recommended for those who want the GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)<\/a> certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duration<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Depending on which mode of instruction you choose, you can cover the course in four months (OnDemand pre-recorded sessions), at your pace (live online class with flexible schedules), or in-person over six days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Price<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The course’s price depends on the instruction medium you choose. They all fall in the $8000-8500 range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Learn More ><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Penetration Testing, Incident Response and Forensics – IBM on Coursera<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"best<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rating<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

4.6\/5 (Coursera \u2013 based on 1,537 ratings)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prerequisites<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

None<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This online professional certificate program can be completed as part of IBM\u2019s Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through this course, you can learn about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n