A Beginner’s Roadmap to Penetration Testing
Summary
A cybersecurity manager outlines a beginner’s penetration-testing study plan: learn security and systems fundamentals, progress through practical certifications, practice on training platforms, and build a portfolio.
Key points
- Build cybersecurity, networking, Linux, and cryptography fundamentals before relying on offensive tools.
- The suggested certification path is eJPT, then CompTIA PenTest+, with OSCP as a later goal.
- Practice regularly using TryHackMe, OverTheWire: Bandit, and Hack The Box.
- Document CTF writeups, lab work, scripts, and notes to build a portfolio on platforms such as GitHub or a personal blog.
- The author recommends consistent daily practice and cautions that penetration testing requires a strong technical foundation.
Article Details
- Topic
- A beginner roadmap for developing penetration-testing skills through foundational study, certifications, hands-on practice, and portfolio building.
Products
GitHubIt also recommends starting with eJPT, then CompTIA PenTest+, and working toward OSCP while building a portfolio through TryHackMe, OverTheWire, Hack The Box, GitHub, and a personal blog.HackTheBox#eJPTOverTheWireIt also recommends starting with eJPT, then CompTIA PenTest+, and working toward OSCP while building a portfolio through TryHackMe, OverTheWire, Hack The Box, GitHub, and a personal blog.TryHackMeIt also recommends starting with eJPT, then CompTIA PenTest+, and working toward OSCP while building a portfolio through TryHackMe, OverTheWire, Hack The Box, GitHub, and a personal blog.