You will learn how to identify and take advantage of vulnerabilities in networks and applications. You will discover how vulnerabilities are created at a code-level and master the most popular penetration testing tools. Once certified, you will be fully capable of organizing and managing penetration testing engagements as well as writing expert reports.

"If you want to know what's really going on, you need to hack the system."

Penetration testing can be difficult because it requires a high degree of knowledge in many different areas. In order to be a successful pentester, you need to be familiar with network protocols, operating systems, and software vulnerabilities. Additionally, you must have the ability to think like a hacker in order to exploit these vulnerabilities. This can be a challenge, but it is also what makes pentesting so interesting.

Penetration testers are in high demand as businesses strive to protect their networks and data. They may earn salaries ranging from $50,000 to $200,000, depending on their experience, skills, and certifications. Many companies also offer bonuses and other benefits, such as travel opportunities.

The MCSI MPT certification is designed to teach penetration testing skills. The certification covers topics such as network mapping, scanning for vulnerabilities, exploiting vulnerabilities, and post-attack actions. The certification is also designed to teach students how to use various tools and techniques to identify and exploit security vulnerabilities in networks.

The MCSI Penetration Testing certification will equip you with the skillset necessary to carry out the following tasks:

• Understand the vulnerability research and exploitation process in full
• Develop custom penetration testing tools
• Master the major penetration testing tools and use them when it's appropriate
• Perform code reviews and dynamic fuzzing
• Write penetration testing proposals and reports that delight customers

The MPT course was created by instructors that compromised over 100,000 machines during penetration testing engagements. The MPT course is designed to help you do the same. The course covers everything from reconnaissance, to exploiting systems, to defending networks. The goal of the course is to provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to protect your systems and networks from the bad guys.

If you're looking to start a career in information security, or simply want to learn how to protect your systems from the bad guys, the MPT course is for you.

MCSI is one of the most respected and trusted names in cyber security education and training. Our certifications teach critical skills, knowledge and abilities needed to advance a career in cyber security. Our courses are comprehensive and up-to-date, and our instructors are experienced professionals who are dedicated to helping students learn. MCSI provides the real-world skills and knowledge you need to protect any organization from cyber threats.

• Understand and apply industry standard penetration testing methodologies

  There are a variety of penetration testing methodologies that can be used to test the security of an environment. The most common are as follows:

  Threat Modeling

  This approach involves identifying and classifying potential threats to a system and then determining how best to protect against them.

  Black-box Testing

  Also known as ethical hacking, black box testing is designed to simulate an attack by a malicious outsider. The tester is given no information about the system other than what is available to the average user.

  White-box Testing

  This approach is the opposite of black box testing, and involves providing the tester with extensive information about the system, including its internal workings.

  Gray-box Testing

  A combination of black and white box testing, gray box testing provides limited information to the tester about the system's internals.

  Vulnerability Scanning

  This is a process of identifying potential security vulnerabilities in a system through the use of automated software.

• Identify and exploit the most common web application vulnerabilities

  Web application penetration testing is the process of assessing the security of a web application by identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities. The goal of penetration testing is to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in order to assess the security of the application.

  SQL Injection

  SQL injection is a technique used to attack databases through the use of specially crafted SQL statements. These statements can be used to extract data from the database, or to execute malicious code on the server.

  Object Injection

  Object injection is a vulnerability that can allow an attacker to execute unintended actions or access sensitive data by manipulating the objects passed to an application. An attacker can exploit object injection vulnerabilities by passing objects that contain malicious code or data into an application. If the application fails to properly sanitize the input, the malicious code or data can be executed or accessed by the application.

  XXE Injection

  XXE injection is a vulnerability that allows attackers to read files or even execute malicious code on the server, by sending specially crafted XML documents to the vulnerable application.

  Arbitrary Command Execution

  Arbitrary Command Execution is a vulnerability that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary commands on a target system. This can be accomplished by exploiting a vulnerable user input in an application that allows the user to input arbitrary commands.

  File Inclusion

  A file inclusion vulnerability is a vulnerability that allows an attacker to include files on the server that should not be accessible. This can allow the attacker to execute code on the server or access sensitive data.

  Cross-Site Scripting

  Cross-site scripting (XSS) is a vulnerability that allows an attacker to inject malicious code into a web page, resulting in the execution of the code by unsuspecting users who visit the page. The code can be used to exploit the user's session, for example, by stealing cookies or other credentials. It can also be used to execute malicious code on the user's machine.

  Brute Forcing

  Brute force login pages is a technique where a hacker tries to guess your username and password by trying different combinations until they find the right one.

  Session Fixation

  A session fixation vulnerability is a flaw in a web application that allows an attacker to hijack a user's session and gain control of their account. This can be exploited by tricking the user into clicking a link or opening an email that contains a specially crafted session ID. Once the attacker has hijacked the session, they can access the user's account and take any actions they please.

• Identify and exploit the most common infrastructure vulnerabilities

  Infrastructure penetration testing is a process of identifying and exploiting security vulnerabilities in an organization's computer systems and networks. The aim of this type of testing is to identify potential entry points that could be used by an attacker to gain access to the organization's systems and data.

  Missing critical security patches

  One of the main reasons that attackers are able to penetrate networks is because many organizations do not keep their systems up to date with the latest security patches. By identifying and applying missing security patches, you can make it much more difficult for attackers to penetrate your network. As a penetration tester, using publicly available exploits against unpatched systems is one of the easiest techniques to compromise machines.

  Privilege escalation

  Privilege escalation is the process of exploiting a vulnerability in order to gain elevated access to resources that are normally protected from an unauthorized user. This can include gaining access to data, systems, or devices that are restricted to a particular user or group.

  One of the most common methods of privilege escalation is exploiting a vulnerability in software that grants users elevated privileges. For example, a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows that allows an attacker to run code with administrative privileges.

  Dumping and reusing credential

  When it comes to penetration testing, understanding how to dump and reuse credentials is important. This enables testers to access systems and data that they might not otherwise be able to. In order to dump and reuse credentials, testers first need to understand how the authentication process works. Once they have this information, they can use various methods to extract the credentials that are being used. These methods might include using password cracking tools or sniffing traffic. Once the credentials are extracted, they can be reused in subsequent tests.

  Lateral movement and pivoting

  Lateral movement and pivoting are two common techniques used in information security testing. Lateral movement is the process of moving from one part of a network to another in order to gain access to additional systems or data. Pivoting is the use of a compromised system as a stepping stone to attack other systems on the network. Both techniques can be used to help penetrate networks that would otherwise be difficult to breach.

  Tunnelling

  Tunnelling is a method of transporting data packets through a network by creating a virtual tunnel between two points. Tunnelling is often used to bypass security measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, that are in place to protect the network. Tunnelling can also be used to smuggle information in and out of a network without the knowledge of the network administrators.

• Identify and exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities

  The MPT course teaches the basics of memory exploitation techniques, including how to find and exploit buffer overflows. The course also covers how to analyze and debug exploit code.

  Stack Overflow Vulnerabilities

  A stack overflow is a problem that can occur in computer programming when the size of the stack exceeds the available memory. The stack stores local variables and function arguments, so when it becomes full, the program can crash or malfunction.

  Data Execution Prevention (DEP)

  DEP is a security feature that is used to protect software from exploitation. DEP works by preventing code from being executed from data pages. This helps to prevent malicious code from being executed, which can help to protect your system from being compromised. DEP is enabled by default on most systems, and it is important to make sure that it is enabled on your system if you want to protect it from malicious code.

  Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR)

  The idea behind ASLR is that by randomizing the memory addresses where specific chunks of code are loaded, it becomes much more difficult for an attacker to predict where they need to look in order to find and exploit a vulnerability.

• Write custom attack tools using scripting languages

  Scripting is an important part of penetration testing. It allows testers to automate tasks, making the process more efficient. Additionally, it can help testers find and exploit vulnerabilities more easily. Scripting also helps testers to better understand the systems they are testing, making the process more efficient and accurate.

  Python

  Python is a versatile language that can be used in a variety of ways during penetration testing engagements. It can be used as a scripting language to automate tasks, as a payload delivery mechanism, and as a debugging tool. Python can also be used to develop exploits, and to access and analyze data from compromised systems.

  Ruby

  Ruby has become a popular language for penetration testing engagements due to its flexibility and expressiveness. It has been used to write powerful scripts that can help testers automate common tasks, such as reconnaissance and vulnerability scanning.

  PowerShell

  PowerShell is a powerful scripting language that can be used for a variety of tasks, including penetration testing. It can be used to automate tasks, such as identifying vulnerable systems and gathering information about them. PowerShell can also be used to execute exploits and payloads, making it a valuable tool for penetration testers. Additionally, PowerShell scripts can be packaged into modules, making them easy to share and use. This makes PowerShell an important tool for penetration testing and security professionals.

• Use all the major penetration testing tools

  Automated tools can help testers save time. Additionally, automated tools can help testers be more efficient and organized. They can also help testers verify that their tests are effective and identify issues that they may have missed.

  NMAP

  The Nmap tool is a network exploration and security auditing tool. It can be used to identify hosts and services on a network, as well as security issues. Nmap can be used to scan for vulnerable open ports on systems.

  Metasploit

  The Metasploit Framework is a free and open source penetration testing toolkit, originally developed by H.D.Moore. It is designed to help security professionals test their networks and systems for vulnerabilities. The Framework includes a library of exploits, payloads, and modules, as well as a command-line interface and an exploit development kit. It can be used to scan for vulnerable systems, exploit vulnerabilities, and post-exploitation attacks to servers.

  Burp Suite

  Burp Suite is a tool used for automated security testing of web applications. It can be used to find vulnerabilities in web applications, as well as to help with penetration testing and vulnerability assessment. Burp Suite consists of a variety of tools, including a proxy server, scanner, intruder, and repeater. It can be used to intercept and modify traffic between the client and the server, as well as to tunnel traffic through the proxy. This allows you to see and test the response of the application to different types of attack.

  OpenVAS

  OpenVAS is a comprehensive vulnerability scanner that can be used to identify security vulnerabilities in systems and applications. It uses a variety of techniques, including network scanning and analysis, to identify potential security flaws. OpenVAS can be used to scan for vulnerabilities in operating systems, network devices, web applications, and other systems. It is free and open source software, and can be run on a variety of platforms.

  John the Ripper

  John the Ripper is a password cracking tool that can be used to find passwords that have been encrypted using the DES, Triple DES, Blowfish, or Twofish algorithms. It can also be used to recover passwords that have been hashed using the MD5, SHA-1, or SHA-256 algorithms.

  Hashcat

  Hashcat is a tool that can be used to crack passwords. It can be used to crack passwords that are stored in a hash format, or it can be used to crack passwords that are stored in a text format.

  SSH Tunnelling

  SSH Tunnelling is a process that allows you to securely access a remote computer via a tunnel created by SSH. This can be useful for penetration testing, as it allows you to access systems that would otherwise be inaccessible.

• Plan and deliver professional penetration testing engagements

  Assess the requirements and goals of the mission

  The first step in designing a security testing plan is to assess the requirements and goals of the project. The requirements of the project will determine the scope of the security testing. The goals of the project will determine the focus of the security testing.

  Once the requirements and goals have been assessed, the next step is to design a test plan. The test plan should include a risk assessment, which will identify potential vulnerabilities in the system. The test plan should also include a review of the security controls in place and how they will be tested.

  Identify testing constraints

  Identifying constraints is important in any security testing engagement, but is especially important in penetration tests. By understanding the environment and identifying any potential limitations, the pentester can better focus the assessment and deliver a more meaningful outcome.

  Some common constraints include:

  • The scope of the test, which may be limited by time, budget, or other factors
  • The organization's security posture, which may affect what tests can be performed
  • The availability of systems and data, which may restrict the range of attacks that can be launched
  • The presence of security controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, which may impede or complicate some attacks

  By understanding these constraints and taking them into account, pentesters can tailor their tests to produce the most valuable results.

  Establish a management assurance framework

  When it comes to ensuring the security of your systems and data, having a strong management assurance framework in place is critical. This framework will help to ensure that security testing engagements are conducted in a consistent and effective manner, and that the resulting recommendations are properly implemented.

  A management assurance framework should include clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all those involved in the security testing process, as well as documented procedures and guidelines. It should also include a reporting structure, so that everyone involved can track the progress of the testing and ensure that all stakeholders are kept up to date on the findings.

  By establishing a management assurance framework, you can be sure that your security testing engagements are effectively managed and that the resulting recommendations are properly implemented, thus helping to protect your systems and data from potential security threats.

  Use an effective testing methodology

  Security testing engagements are extremely important, and using an effective testing methodology is critical to their success. By using an effective testing methodology, security professionals can ensure that they are covering all the necessary bases in their security assessments. This helps to reduce the risk of vulnerabilities going undetected, and ultimately helps to improve the security of the organization.

  Use an effective testing methodology

  There are many different ways to approach identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in a security testing project. One common strategy is to first map the organization's assets and identify which systems and applications are most important to the business. From there, you can focus your efforts on identifying potential vulnerabilities in those systems and applications.

  Once you have a list of potential vulnerabilities, you can start exploiting them to see if they are actually exploitable. This may involve using automated tools or manual techniques to attempt to take control of the system or gain access to sensitive data. It's important to be thorough in your testing, as even a single exploitable vulnerability can provide a foothold for an attacker.

  Once you have identified and exploited all of the vulnerabilities in a system, it's important to document your findings and provide recommendations for how they can be fixed. This helps ensure that the system is secure and reduces the risk of a successful attack.

  Report key findings

  When it comes to security testing, it's important to report key findings to ensure that the project is on track and any potential security risks are addressed. Typically, a report will outline the methodology used in the testing process, as well as any major vulnerabilities that were discovered. This allows stakeholders to understand the implications of these vulnerabilities and take the necessary steps to mitigate any risks.

  It's also important to keep in mind that not all vulnerabilities are created equal. Some may be more serious than others, and it's important to rank them accordingly. This helps stakeholders prioritize which vulnerabilities should be fixed first.

  Finally, a good report will also include recommendations for how to address any vulnerabilities that were discovered. This can help ensure that the project stays on track and that any potential security risks are mitigated.

  Extract lessons learnt

  After a security testing project is complete, it's important to extract lessons learnt from the project so that the lessons can be applied to future projects.

• Write professional penetration testing reports

  Executive Summary

  The Executive Summary is a key component of a penetration testing report. It provides a high-level overview of the findings of the assessment, and can help decision-makers quickly understand the significance of the findings. The summary should be clear and concise, and include key takeaways from the report.

  Scope of Work

  The Scope of Work section is a key part of a penetration testing report. It outlines the specific tasks that were carried out as part of the assessment. This section can help to clarify any misunderstandings about the assessment, and can provide a basis for future discussion about security improvements.

  Testing Methodology

  The Testing Methodology section in a penetration testing report is used to provide detailed information about the tests that were conducted and the results that were found. This section can be used to help explain how the testing was conducted and why certain tests were performed. It can also be used to show how the results of the tests were used to identify vulnerabilities in the system.

  Risk Matrix

  The Risk Matrix is a table that lists the potential risks associated with each vulnerability found during a penetration test. The table includes a description of each risk, the likelihood of it occurring, and the impact it would have if it did occur. This information can help organizations prioritize which vulnerabilities to fix first.

  Narrative

  The Narrative section in a security testing report provides a detailed account of the security testing process, from start to finish. It includes information about the tools and techniques used and how the vulnerabilities were discovered.

  Key Findings

  The key findings summary is a section in a security testing report that highlights the most important findings from the assessment. It includes a detailed description of all the vulnerabilities discovered, how to reproduce them and the risk level. This section is designed to provide a high-level overview of the report so that decision-makers can quickly understand the biggest risks posed by the vulnerabilities.

  Appendices

  One of the most important, but often overlooked, aspects of writing a security testing report is Including all the Technical Details in Appendices. The appendices can be as long, descriptive and full of screenshots as you need them to be.

  The technical details in appendices are essential for two reasons. First, they provide the reader with all the information needed to understand your findings. Second, they can be used as a resource by developers and system administrators who need to fix the vulnerabilities you have identified.