Penetration Testing
Course Description
Learn the PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard) methodology used by professional security consultants. This course covers the complete pentest lifecycle from scoping to reporting.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Scope penetration testing engagements professionally
- Perform comprehensive reconnaissance and enumeration
- Identify and exploit vulnerabilities systematically
- Document findings according to industry standards
- Write professional penetration test reports
- Communicate risks effectively to stakeholders
Course Structure
Modules
Module 1: Pre-engagement Interactions (6h)
- Scoping meetings and questionnaires
- Rules of engagement (ROE)
- Statement of work (SOW)
- Legal considerations
- NDA and contracts
- Emergency contacts and escalation
Module 2: Intelligence Gathering (10h)
- Passive reconnaissance techniques
- Active reconnaissance methods
- OSINT tools and techniques
- Network mapping
- Service enumeration
- Vulnerability research
Module 3: Threat Modeling (6h)
- Asset identification
- Threat actor analysis
- Attack surface mapping
- Risk prioritization
- STRIDE methodology
- Attack trees
Module 4: Vulnerability Analysis (10h)
- Automated scanning (Nessus, OpenVAS)
- Manual vulnerability assessment
- False positive validation
- Vulnerability prioritization
- CVE research
- Exploit database usage
Module 5: Exploitation (12h)
- Metasploit Framework mastery
- Manual exploitation techniques
- Client-side attacks
- Web application exploitation
- Network exploitation
- Wireless attacks
Module 6: Post-Exploitation (10h)
- Privilege escalation
- Lateral movement
- Data exfiltration
- Persistence mechanisms
- Pivoting techniques
- Credential harvesting
Module 7: Network Penetration Testing (8h)
- External network testing
- Internal network testing
- Wireless penetration testing
- VPN testing
- Firewall bypass techniques
Module 8: Web Application Testing (8h)
- OWASP Testing Guide
- Authentication testing
- Session management testing
- Input validation testing
- Business logic testing
Module 9: Report Writing (8h)
- Executive summary writing
- Technical findings documentation
- Risk rating methodologies (CVSS)
- Remediation recommendations
- Evidence collection
- Report templates
Module 10: Professional Skills (5h)
- Client communication
- Presentation skills
- Time management
- Ethics and professionalism
- Certification paths (OSCP, PNPT, CEH)
Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Nmap | Network scanning |
| Metasploit | Exploitation framework |
| Burp Suite | Web testing |
| Nessus | Vulnerability scanning |
| Cobalt Strike | Red team operations |
| CherryTree | Note taking |
| Dradis | Reporting platform |
Ethical Use Only
Always obtain proper written authorization before conducting any penetration test. Document everything.
Quick Navigation
📄️ Overview
Master penetration testing methodology: PTES, documentation, compliance, and professional reporting