Episode 38: Pentesting Certifications Tier List Part 1
Apr 26, 2023
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The hosts rank popular pentesting certifications from best to worst, diving into their significance in cybersecurity. They emphasize real-world experience and community involvement as key factors in this landscape. Discussions include detailed critiques of certifications like the Burp Suite Certified Practitioner and ECPPT, with evaluations of their exam formats and practical applications. The tier list approach sparks lively debate, inviting listeners to share their own perspectives on these valuable credentials.
30:55
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Quick takeaways
Pentesting certifications are essential for career advancement but must be balanced with practical experience to ensure job readiness.
The community surrounding certifications greatly enhances their value by providing networking opportunities and support for prospective candidates.
Deep dives
The Value of Certifications
Certifications play a significant role in the cybersecurity field, especially in penetration testing, as they provide recognition and can help candidates pass initial HR screenings. However, their real value comes from balancing formal certification with practical, hands-on experience. The discussion emphasizes that a candidate might hold numerous certifications but could still lack the necessary skills for real-world problem-solving in pen testing scenarios. It is important for individuals to pursue certifications while also gaining applicable experience to ensure they are job-ready.
Ranking Certification Effectiveness
The episode involves a detailed tier ranking of various pen testing certifications based on specific criteria, including the knowledge gained from the certification, job marketability, and the practical aspects of the testing format. For example, the Burp Suite Certified Practitioner certification is praised for its practical approach and affordability, ranking it in the A tier despite its lesser recognition in the job market. The CARTP certification, focusing on Azure pentesting, while comprehensive, is noted for its intense 48-hour exam format, which affects its ranking. Overall, the discussion highlights how certifications are evaluated not just on content but also on their real-world applicability and recognition within the industry.
The Community Impact
The conversation delves into the importance of the community surrounding a certification, which can enhance the value of the certification experience. Certifications with a strong community, such as those related to the CRTO, provide networking opportunities and support, making them more appealing to prospective candidates. Additionally, the discussion acknowledges that brand reputation and recognition of certifications can vary, affecting their perceived legitimacy within professional circles. Ultimately, the importance of community engagement and continuing education is stressed as key factors in choosing the right certification path.
This is part 1 of a 2 part series where Spencer, Darrius and Tyler talk about pentesting certifications and where they fall on a tier list. For those unfamiliar, we're ranking the popular pentesting certifications from best to worst. This is a must listen/watch episode, check it out and be sure to let us know in the comments what YOU think of these certifications and if we had any bad takes!