Top 10 Beginner Level Penetration testing Certification in 2025
Explore the top 10 beginner-level penetration testing certification courses designed to launch your cybersecurity career. Covering essential topics like vulnerability assessment, network security, and ethical hacking, these courses provide hands-on skills and foundational knowledge needed to excel in penetration testing.
Course List Highlights
Discover the top 10 beginner-level penetration testing certification courses that provide foundational knowledge and hands-on experience for a career in cybersecurity.
Price
Average: $713, Min: $0, Max: $2,999
We offer 3 courses priced between the USD 244 and USD 2,999, empowering individuals to elevate their career trajectories with valuable insights and knowledge. Additionally, discover a range of 3 free courses offered in collaboration with esteemed partners to enhance their skills at no cost.
Duration
Average: 1 month 4 week, Min: , Max: 10 month
Our carefully curated selection of 3 courses is specifically designed to be completed within a week, providing learners with a solid foundation and strong fundamental knowledge. In contrast, 3 courses have a longer duration, extending beyond a month, and offer a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the topics at hand.
Learn Type
Self Paced: 50%, Instructor Led: 50%
There is a mix of self-paced and instructor-paced courses. Users can choose the course depending on their need. The self-paced courses allow the learner to work on the subject at their own pace and make sure they master the skill. The instructor-paced courses enable individuals to match the pace and flow of the syllabus set up by the experts and instructors, allowing them to learn the skills and topics in an ideal way.
Hands On
Capstone Project: 33%
Approximately 33% of the courses require the mandatory submission of Capstone Projects. These projects serve as a platform to showcase learners' practical knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course.
What is Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing, or pentesting, is an authorized simulated cyberattack on a computer system aimed at evaluating its security. This process identifies vulnerabilities that could allow unauthorized access to sensitive data and functionalities. It involves various phases, including reconnaissance, scanning, gaining access, maintaining access, and covering tracks, to thoroughly assess the system's defenses. The findings help organizations remediate weaknesses before they can be exploited by malicious actors[1][2][3].
Why Penetration Testing is Needed in Today's World?
Penetration testing is essential in today's world due to the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks. Organizations face significant risks from data breaches, which can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties. Regular penetration tests help identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited, allowing companies to strengthen their security posture proactively. Additionally, these tests provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of existing security measures and prepare teams for potential incidents, ensuring a more resilient defense against emerging threats.
Top Penetration Testing Certification Courses List
Here are the top 10 beginner-level Penetration Testing certification courses (in alphabetical order) to consider:
| Course Name | Price |
|---|---|
|
Post Graduate Certification Program in DevOps Edureka |
$ 2,999 |
|
Digital Skills: Social Media Future Learn |
Free |
|
Full Stack Web Developer Course Geekster |
$ 1,037 |
|
Python for Trading: Basic Quantra |
Free |
|
Digital Skills: User Experience Future Learn |
Free |
|
Technical Analysis Master Class elearnmarkets |
$ 244 |
Criteria for Selecting These Penetration Testing Certification Courses:
- Foundational Curriculum: Each course was assessed for its comprehensive coverage of beginner-level penetration testing concepts, including ethical hacking and vulnerability assessment.
- Experienced Instructors: Courses taught by certified cybersecurity professionals were prioritized to ensure high-quality instruction and industry insights.
- Student Feedback: Positive reviews from past participants were 4. considered to gauge the effectiveness and accessibility of each course.
- Hands-On Labs: Emphasis was placed on courses with practical labs and simulations to build hands-on skills essential for entry-level penetration testing roles.
Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Penetration Testing Certification Course
- When selecting a beginner-level penetration testing course, consider your long-term career goals and specific areas of interest within cybersecurity.
- Assess your current technical skills to ensure the course is suited to your level, especially if you’re new to IT or cybersecurity.
- Additionally, think about the course format and any time commitments required to ensure a flexible, effective learning experience that fits into your schedule.
Top course details Heading
Here's a curated list of some of the best beginner-level penetration testing certification courses that will equip you with essential skills to start your cybersecurity journey.
Price
$ 2,999
Total Duration
400 hours
Level
Beginner
Learn Type
Executive ProgrammesThe "BlackArch Linux for Hacking and Penetration Testing" course focuses on leveraging BlackArch Linux, a powerful distribution designed specifically for penetration testing and security research. This course guides learners through using BlackArch tools for ethical hacking, helping them gain practical skills to detect and exploit vulnerabilities in various systems. It covers installation, configuration, and essential tools of BlackArch, equipping learners with the knowledge needed to perform in-depth security assessments.
Key Highlights
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Learn to install and configure BlackArch Linux for penetration testing.
-
Explore various penetration testing tools integrated within BlackArch.
-
Gain hands-on experience in security assessments and ethical hacking practices.
-
Understand the core concepts of ethical hacking, vulnerability identification, and exploitation.
-
Perform practical exercises to solidify skills and prepare for real-world penetration testing challenges.
Price
Free
Total Duration
2 weeks
Level
Intermediate
Learn Type
CertificationsThis course focuses on teaching you the essential skills for performing web application penetration testing. You'll learn how to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in web applications, gaining a deeper understanding of common security risks such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and others. By the end of this course, you will be equipped with practical techniques and tools to secure web applications from potential attacks.
Key Highlights
-
Understand common web application vulnerabilities and their real-world exploits.
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Learn to use penetration testing tools like Burp Suite and others.
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Gain hands-on experience with ethical hacking techniques.
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Develop strategies to protect web applications from security threats.
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Explore real-world case studies and apply knowledge to security assessments.
Price
$ 1,037
Total Duration
10 months
Level
Intermediate
Learn Type
CertificationsThe "Advanced Bug Bounty Hunting & Penetration Testing Course 2021" is designed for learners who already have a basic understanding of penetration testing and want to take their skills to the next level. This course delves into advanced techniques for bug bounty hunting, including how to find and exploit vulnerabilities in a range of applications. You'll also learn the nuances of the bug bounty process and how to report vulnerabilities effectively to maximize your success in the field.
Key Highlights
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Learn advanced techniques in bug bounty hunting and penetration testing.
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Explore real-world application vulnerabilities and how to identify them.
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Gain proficiency with penetration testing tools such as Burp Suite, Nikto, and others.
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Understand how to write effective vulnerability reports for bug bounty platforms.
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Work on practical scenarios to enhance skills and improve success rates in bug bounty programs.
Price
Free
Total Duration
9 hours
Level
Beginner
Learn Type
CertificationsThis course provides a comprehensive introduction to Wireshark, one of the most popular network protocol analyzers. It covers the basic and advanced features of Wireshark, allowing users to capture and analyze network traffic. Ideal for network engineers, cybersecurity professionals, and IT enthusiasts, the course helps participants understand how to troubleshoot network issues, optimize performance, and analyze data.
Key Highlights
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Introduction to Wireshark: Learn how to install and navigate the Wireshark interface for effective network traffic analysis.
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Packet Capture and Analysis: Understand how to capture network packets and interpret the data to identify network issues.
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Filtering Techniques: Explore advanced filtering methods to isolate relevant traffic, making analysis more efficient.
Price
Free
Total Duration
3 weeks
Level
Beginner
Learn Type
CertificationsThis course offers a solid foundation in penetration testing, a critical skill in cybersecurity. Participants will learn the ethical hacking process, covering key concepts like identifying vulnerabilities, exploiting weaknesses, and securing networks. By the end of the course, learners will be equipped with the knowledge to conduct basic penetration tests and help organizations strengthen their security posture.
Key Highlights
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Penetration Testing Fundamentals: Understand the ethical hacking lifecycle, from information gathering to reporting vulnerabilities.
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Tools and Techniques: Get hands-on experience with essential penetration testing tools such as Kali Linux, Metasploit, and Nmap.
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Vulnerability Assessment: Learn how to identify common security flaws and perform vulnerability assessments.
Price
$ 244
Total Duration
N/A
Level
Intermediate
Learn Type
CertificationsThe "BlackArch Linux for Hacking and Penetration Testing" course focuses on leveraging BlackArch Linux, a powerful distribution designed specifically for penetration testing and security research. This course guides learners through using BlackArch tools for ethical hacking, helping them gain practical skills to detect and exploit vulnerabilities in various systems. It covers installation, configuration, and essential tools of BlackArch, equipping learners with the knowledge needed to perform in-depth security assessments.
Key Highlights
-
Learn to install and configure BlackArch Linux for penetration testing.
-
Explore various penetration testing tools integrated within BlackArch.
-
Gain hands-on experience in security assessments and ethical hacking practices.
-
Understand the core concepts of ethical hacking, vulnerability identification, and exploitation.
-
Perform practical exercises to solidify skills and prepare for real-world penetration testing challenges.
