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Penetration Tester Roadmap

Penetration Tester Roadmap

Learn to think like an attacker and find the gaps before real adversaries do.

An offensive-security path that moves from fundamentals to professional, report-driven penetration testing across networks, web and beyond. You learn the same methodology our red team uses on real engagements, always under clear scope and written authorization.

9 to 12 months Beginner to job-ready 6 stages
Start this path See related trainings

By the end, you will be able to

  • Run a structured penetration test from recon to reporting
  • Find and exploit common web and network vulnerabilities safely
  • Write a clear, professional report with proof-of-concept evidence
  • Understand the ethics, scope and authorization that govern the work
The roadmap

Your step-by-step path

Follow the stages in order. Each one builds on the last, from fundamentals to job-ready.

01

Networking & Linux Foundations

You cannot attack what you do not understand. Master the terrain first.

TCP/IP, routing and servicesLinux command line and scriptingWindows internals basicsVirtual labs and tooling
02

Security & Offensive Fundamentals

Learn the attacker mindset, ethics and the rules of engagement.

Threats, vulnerabilities and exploitsEthics, scope and authorizationRecon and OSINTPentest methodology
CompTIA Security+ (helpful)
03

Web Application Hacking

The most common attack surface, broken down hands-on.

OWASP Top 10Injection, XSS and auth flawsBurp Suite and proxiesAPI testing basics
04

Network & Infrastructure Testing

Move from a single host to a full internal compromise, safely.

Scanning and enumerationExploitation and pivotingPrivilege escalationActive Directory attacks
05

Reporting & Professionalism

A finding is only useful if the client can act on it.

Risk rating and impactProof-of-concept evidenceClear remediation adviceClient communication
Practical offensive certs (target)
06

Job-Ready: Junior Pentester

Prove it on realistic targets and build a portfolio that gets you hired.

Full end-to-end engagementsCapture-the-flag practiceBuilding a report portfolioIntro to red teaming
NUEXUS Penetration Tester (Verified)

Certifications you can target

We prepare you for recognized industry certifications and award a verifiable NUEXUS credential at the end of the path.

  • CompTIA Security+
  • Practical offensive-security certifications
  • NUEXUS Certified Penetration Tester
Verify a NUEXUS credential

Trainings that power this path

Each stage maps to NUEXUS trainings, delivered live online, in classroom or at your site.

Professional TrainingCertification ProgramsOr hire us: Cybersecurity Consulting

Frequently Asked Questions

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Build it right.
Secure it for good.

Tell us what you're building or securing. We'll bring the engineers, the security team and the trainers, plus a clear, costed plan to get you there.

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