Your Next Move: Cloud Penetration Tester
Your Next Move: Cloud Penetration Tester
The cloud isn’t going anywhere. In fact, adoption of cloud technologies has grown faster than ever as companies pivot to a more permanent remote workforce. That shift has created yet another new cybersecurity role: cloud penetration tester. If you have a background in security intelligence and understand the cloud, a specialized cybersecurity credential as a cloud penetration tester may be a good next step for you.
What Is a Cloud Penetration Tester?
A cloud penetration tester is tasked with securing an organization’s cloud environment through penetration testing and their understanding of cloud security issues in the following ways:
- Identifies risks, vulnerabilities and gaps in the cloud system
- Defines the impact of exploitable vulnerabilities and prioritizes them accordingly
- Determines how to leverage access obtained via exploitation
- Delivers clear and actionable remediation
- Provides best practices in maintaining visibility
A cloud penetration tester is a type of penetration tester who focuses on the security of cloud-specific configurations, cloud system passwords, cloud applications and encryption, application programming interfaces (API), databases, storage access and other challenges. Companies hire a qualified cloud penetration tester to improve their overall cloud security, avoid breaches and achieve compliance.
How to Become a Cloud Penetration Tester?
In general, the role of penetration tester is not an entry-level job – you must gain IT and cybersecurity experience first. This is especially true for a cloud penetration tester, as it is a very specialized role.
Employers will expect candidates to have advanced understanding of the cloud and be able to leverage this knowledge to ethically hack into systems and stay up-to-date with security trends and best practices. Many penetration tester roles require knowledge of specific programming languages or operating systems as well.
To gain that experience you might start on an IT infrastructure pathway and then transition to cybersecurity. You could work as a cloud specialist or cloud engineer to learn how to maintain and optimize cloud infrastructure services.
Or, you could start in cybersecurity as a cybersecurity analyst or a cloud security specialist and work your way up to cloud penetration tester.
But being able to think like a hacker and apply those strategies hands-on is what really matters in this role. Certifications like CompTIA Cloud+, CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA PenTest+ can help you validate the skills and experience you need as you work toward a cloud penetration testing role.
CompTIA Cloud+ validates the skills needed to deploy and automate secure cloud environments that support the high availability of business systems and data. This certification is a great source of knowledge for those who have little experience working in the cloud.
CompTIA Security+ validates the baseline skills necessary to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career. This immensely popular fundamental cybersecurity certification is a great place to start if you don’t have any cybersecurity training or experience.
CompTIA PenTest+ is intended to follow CompTIA Security+, or equivalent experience, and has a technical, hands-on focus. This certification is for IT pros tasked with penetration testing and vulnerability management and requires candidates to demonstrate the hands-on ability to test devices in new environments such as the cloud and mobile, in addition to traditional desktops and servers.
The new CompTIA PenTest+ (PT0-002) launched late 2021 and certifies that successful candidates have the knowledge and skills required to:
- Plan and scope a penetration testing engagement including vulnerability scanning
- Understand legal and compliance requirements
- Analyze results
- Produce a written report with remediation techniques
The Details
Cloud Penetration Tester Salary Range
The average salary for cloud penetration testers is $103,000 a year (Cyberseek.org).
Cloud Penetration Tester Job Outlook
From 2020 to 2030, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an increase of 33% for penetration testing positions with 47,100 net new jobs expected during that 10-year period.
Job Titles Related to Cloud Penetration Tester
- Penetration tester
- Cloud security specialist
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Vulnerability analyst
- Threat intelligence analyst
Ready for a Career in Penetration Testing?
CompTIA now offers a number of exam training options for CompTIA PenTest+ to fit your particular learning style and schedule, many of which may be used in combination with each other as you prepare for your exam.
There’s a wealth of information to take you from deciding if CompTIA PenTest+ is right for you, all the way to taking your exam. We’re with you every step of the way!
Top Reasons to Get CompTIA PenTest+ Certified
Prove Your Knowledge: Certification validates your skills and is proof that you have mastered the knowledge covered in training.
Earn the Industry Standard: CompTIA PenTest+ is the industry standard for establishing a career in pen testing and is the preferred qualifying credential for intermediate-level cybersecurity professionals.
Get Your Foot in the Door: Certification makes a great first impression. According to an IDC report, 96 percent of HR managers use IT certifications as screening or hiring criteria during recruitment*. Learn more about all the places you career can go with CompTIA certifications.
Make an Impact: Research shows that IT professionals with CompTIA A+ or CompTIA Security+ perform at a higher level than those who are not certified.
Progress Along a Career Roadmap: Not sure where an IT certification can take you? Browse IT careers for professionals, navigate certifications and discover jobs in areas that interest you and open doors to opportunity and success.
Expect Success with CompTIA PenTest+ Certification: Getting certified is the best way to future-proof your career. Nine out of 10 employers agree that certifications are critical in finding the right person for the job. Plus, IT certified individuals are more likely to be promoted than those without IT certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 5 types of Penetration Testing?
Penetration testing, or pen testing, happens when a cybersecurity professional uses their knowledge and specialized tools to intentionally attack a network or app and assess a client’s existing safeguards. While doing this, they’ll also look for misconfigurations or other vulnerabilities that raise the risk of malicious parties wreaking havoc.
Cloud: The increasing popularity of cloud computing makes this kind of pen test continually relevant. Improved security is one of the factors decision makers frequently cite when discussing why they moved to the cloud. However, a more secure environment is not a guarantee.
On-Premises Networks: These types of pen tests were the traditionally performed options before cloud computing became more widespread. However, they’re still necessary since many companies have both cloud-based and on-premises resources.
Web Apps: This penetration test category examines the design, architecture and configurations of web apps. There’s some crossover between web app pen testing and cloud pen testing since many applications capture data and send it offsite. In any case, these examinations look at the app’s cookie usage, credential encryption, web forms and other critical aspects.
Wireless Networks: These pen tests determine the cybersecurity of a company’s wireless network and its associated protocols. Testers will learn how easily an unauthorized outside party could monitor a network’s traffic.
IoT/Embedded Devices: The penetration tests in this group check for flaws in a piece of connected hardware or products with embedded devices. Internet of things (IoT) devices such as security cameras and smart speakers fall into this category.
Why CompTIA PenTest+ Is Important?
CompTIA PenTest+ is important for many reasons. For starters, it is the most comprehensive exam covering all penetration testing stages. Unlike other penetration testing exams that only cover a portion of stages, PenTest+ uses both performance-based and knowledge-based questions to ensure all stages are addressed.
Additionally, CompTIA PenTest+ is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to meet directive 8140/8570.01-M requirements. CompTIA PenTest+ proves to potential employers that you have the most relevant pen testing skills for the cloud, hybrid environments, web applications, internet of things (IoT) devices, embedded systems and traditional on-premises.
