Career Details
15-1299.04 - Penetration Testers
Evaluate network system security by conducting simulated internal and external cyberattacks using adversary tools and techniques. Attempt to breach and exploit critical systems and gain access to sensitive information to assess system security.
Key Facts

Tasks

Generic
- Assess the physical security of servers, systems, or network devices to identify vulnerability to temperature, vandalism, or natural disasters.
- Collect stakeholder data to evaluate risk and to develop mitigation strategies.
- Conduct network and security system audits using established criteria.
- Configure information systems to incorporate principles of least functionality and least access.
- Design security solutions to address known device vulnerabilities.
- Develop and execute tests that simulate the techniques of known cyber threat actors.
- Develop infiltration tests that exploit device vulnerabilities.
- Develop presentations on threat intelligence.
- Develop security penetration testing processes, such as wireless, data networks, and telecommunication security tests.
- Discuss security solutions with information technology teams or management.
- Document penetration test findings.
- Evaluate vulnerability assessments of local computing environments, networks, infrastructures, or enclave boundaries.
- Gather cyber intelligence to identify vulnerabilities.
- Identify new threat tactics, techniques, or procedures used by cyber threat actors.
- Identify security system weaknesses using penetration tests.
- Investigate security incidents by using computer forensics, network forensics, root cause analysis, or malware analysis.
- Keep up with new penetration testing tools and methods.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of hacking trends.
- Prepare and submit reports describing the results of security fixes.
- Test the security of systems by attempting to gain access to networks, web-based applications, or computers.
- Update corporate policies to improve cyber security.
- Write audit reports to communicate technical and procedural findings and recommend solutions.
Knowledge

Tools

Technology

Certifications

Licensing

Related Programs

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
Purpose: The curriculum is designed primarily for students who wish to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree in computer science. The curriculum emphasizes the study of the science of computing and the use of computing in a scientific setting.
Purpose: This curriculum is designed for those who seek employment in the field of information technology, for those who are presently in that field and who wish to increase their knowledge and update their skills, and for those who must augment their abilities in other fields with knowledge and skills in information technology.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
Purpose: This curriculum is designed for those who seek employment in the field of cloud computing, for those who are presently in that field and who desire to increase their knowledge and update their skills, and for those who must augment their abilities in other fields with knowledge and skills in cloud computing.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
Purpose
Prepares students for entry-level positions or transfer pathways in computing, software development, and artificial intelligence. Students gain foundational programming, data structures, and algorithmic problem-solving skills with optional specialization in General CS, AI, or Data Science & Machine Learning.Purpose: This program is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in data centers or companies that support data center function as a technician, operator and/or technologist. Coursework will prepare students to earn the DICSI Installer 2 (Fiber Optic) and OSHA 10 industry credentials.
Recommended prerequisites: There are no required prerequisites for this certificate. It is recommended that the student possess a proficiency in high school English, high school algebra and geometry, and possess the ability to utilize hand tools and instrumentation.
Purpose: This program prepares the student to design and implement traditional/legacy stand-alone and client-server applications using procedural and object-oriented development techniques. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to study for one of the following industry certifications: MCP-Programming or the Sun Certified Programming for Java 2.
Purpose: This program is designed to provide students with skills that support the newest capabilities and advances in digital data analytics. These new features in digital data analytics technology enable the data analyst to collect, analyze and make data accessible for making business decisions. This program focuses on training data analytics specialists who can provide these advantages to their employers and stay on the leading edge of technology. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to study for data analytics exams such as CompTIA Data+, Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate and Google Data Analytics Certificate. Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
Purpose: This curriculum is designed for those who seek employment in the field of cloud computing, for those who are presently in that field and who desire to increase their knowledge and update their skills, and for those who must augment their abilities in other fields with knowledge and skills in cloud computing.
Credit for Prior Learning:Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
Purpose: This program is designed to provide students with skills that support the newest capabilities and advances in database technology. These new features in database technology enable databases to increase in scale and provide higher security and greater reliability. This program focuses on training database technologists who can provide these advantages to their employers and stay on the leading edge of database technology. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to study for some of the exams for the Oracle Database Administrator Certified Associate.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
Purpose: This program prepares students for entry-level employment in data centers and related industries that require technicians/technologists trained in engineering technology, information technology, fiber optics, electronics, and data processing. Coursework will prepare students to earn the A+ Hardware, A+ Software, Network Troubleshooting, ETA FOI (Fiber Optic), and OSHA 10 industry credentials. Recommended prerequisites: There are no required prerequisites for this certificate. It is recommended that the student possess proficiency in high school English, high school algebra, and geometry and possess the ability to utilize hand tools and instrumentation.
Purpose: This program is designed for individuals seeking employment in a technical support center and for those persons employed who wish to update their skills in the help desk field. This curriculum will prepare students for employment as help desk specialists/technicians, desktop support specialists, and technical support specialists. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to study for the A+ Software, A+ Hardware, Network+, Security+ and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exams.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program may be eligible for credit for prior learning. See an academic advisor or counselor for further information.
Purpose:This program is designed for individuals seeking employment in either a mobile application software development firm or large organization with a mobile application development team as well as for those persons already employed who wish to update their skills in mobile application development and testing. This curriculum will prepare students for employment as junior mobile application developers as well as quality assurance test engineers for native mobile applications. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to study for the Google Associate Android Developer certification.
Computer Science courses required for the Computer Science degree are available at the Chesapeake and Virginia Beach campuses.
Courses required for the Science degree are available on all four campuses.
TCC is an Oracle Academic Initiative (OAI) Partner and an authorized Oracle training site. The courses in this program prepare students for the examinations leading to Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) and Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) industry certifications.
TCC is an Oracle Academic Initiative (OAI) Partner and an authorized Oracle training site. The courses in this program prepare students for the examinations leading to Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) and Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) industry certifications.
The courses in this program prepare students for the examinations leading to industry certifications as a Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA).