Needless to say that a Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker) is a professional who exploit and probes the security vulnerabilities in any network, application and system. In common words, he is a person who is licensed to hack systems using various penetration tools, some are commonly found and some that one can design to stimulate real-life cybercrime and attacks. These professionals have ultimate aim to help enterprises to improve network security measures. However, the question is how to become a Penetration Tester? To which we have a simple answer – Seek Authorized Training and Certification and open your career avenues in penetration testing.
By virtue of being the Authorized Training Center for EC-Council, we specialize in providing top-notch, short term, Official training program in Ethical Hacking and Penetration testing recognized worldwide. Upon which you may sit for the exam and earn your credentials as Licensed Penetration Tester.
ECSA/ LPT certification from EC-Council is the next step upon attaining CEH (Certified Ethical Hacking) qualifications.
The Most Natural Progression – ECSA and LPT after CEH
The first step to become a Penetration tester is to seek ECSA - EC-Council’s Certified Security Analyst training after earning
CEH training and certification program to begin your career in network security. ECSA is more advanced level course and it is designed to complement CEH. The credentials demonstrate and validate your credibility as networking security and pentester. You learn various penetration testing tools. You also learn to effectively analyze the outcomes of pen testing technologies and learn to identify and mitigate security risks in the systems or network.
ECSA certification offer you immense industry acceptance as well as the expertise that you as a security professionals or ethical hacker need to have at your workplace, however it’s not the highest limit one can attain. Therefore, the personnel with better expertise is always appreciated in the industry.
The Licensed Penetration Tester – LPT certification
LPT is usually put together with ECSA as far as training and certification programs are concerned. As ECSA is the last or the supreme level of industry certification a professional requires to become a licensed penetration tester in a company. It is intriguing to know that there is no individual certification training course for LPT. To achieve this credential you have to show skills and related knowledge. It is the most prestigious certification which is accepted throughout the industry, achieving which is the dream of every penetration tester.
LPT has taken a form of industry accepted standard for penetration testing which is based on best practices that industry experts follow. The founder of EC-Council Jay Bavisi created the LPT certification for the purpose of holding all EC-Council licensed professionals to a uniform code of ethics and provide regular compliance updated. Organizations are earnestly in search for LPTs due to its worldwide recognition and strict standards of this qualifications.
Another training course, certification or exam is not needed to earn LPT, however it is still a process.
There is a proper step-wise outline that one may follow in order to attain LPT certification:
Step 1 – First attain the EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA) Certification
It is pertinent to take ECSA certification course and then pass the ECSA exam. As you will need to attach a copy of ECSA certificate and score with your LPT Application.
Step 2 - Register for EC-Council Continuing Education program at ECE Portal
EC-Council certifications that you have attained so far, such as CEH or ECSA must be up-to-date and in good standing in order to apply for the LPT. As, applicants should ensure that they have a valid EC-Council Continuing Education account.
Step 3 - Reporting for the LPT Practical Exam
LPT Exam precisely, LPT (Master) practical exam is at the peak of EC-Council certifications pyramid. In order to pass the LPT Exam, you need to completely document your pen test in a professional penetration test report. To prepare this format, industry acceptability and reporting procedures by top professionals would come handy, that one learns in ECSA program.
This report is immensely critical, as it will be then reviewed and scored based on a complex introduction by other penetration testing professionals who are dedicated to uphold the credibility of this credential. LPT Exam is the final step after the intense training and certification that one would have received during CEH or ECSA programs.
Step 4 - The LPT EXAM itself – Performance Based Assessment
The exam has been developed with collaboration from SME and practitioners around the world after a thorough job role, job task and skills-gap analysis. The appearing candidates are exposed to the exam environment using EC-Council’s iLabs. Access codes are provided at the onset of the exam cycle.
Step 5 - Submit a detailed resume with professional experience, previous certification
Documentation is an integral part of the exam process, stating that an investigative agency have performed a criminal background check and findings revealed no previous history in criminal records. Although not mandatory, but to maintain high ethics and credibility of the credentials. You as an applicant need to sign a declaration stating that No Criminal Convictions is there, if you are not able to provide the background documentation as required.
Also, the candidates are required to submit their profile or resume with their relevant professional experience and the references of character to the EC-Council Certification Department via email at lpt@eccouncil.org.
Step 6 - Agree to EC-Council Code of Ethics
After following all the above parameters, you are eligible to fill out the LPT application form and you need to agree and sign the EC-Council Code of Ethics.
There is proper processing time which is required once all the requested documentations have been received. It takes 2-4 weeks of time.
LPT license comes with a validity. It remains valid for 2 years and members need to renew it after a certain period of time.
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