Offensive Security Certified Professional

OSCP

Offensive Security Certified Professional

Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

Overview

The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) is one of the most recognized certifications in penetration testing. Offered by Offensive Security, this certification is obtained through rigorous hands-on training and exams designed to test a student’s ability to execute and document a penetration test.

The certification validates an individual’s ability to:

  • Assess and exploit various networks and machines.
  • Identify and enumerate vulnerabilities.
  • Develop the technical report to communicate the findings.

Course Details

The OSCP certification is tied to the PEN-200 course, known as “Penetration Testing with Kali Linux”. This course emphasizes a self-paced, lab-intensive training methodology, where learners get hands-on exposure to various penetration testing scenarios.

Topics Covered:

  • Exploitation techniques for various types of vulnerabilities.
  • Exploit development and post-exploitation tactics.
  • Network and host-based attack vectors.
  • Practical skills needed for a complete penetration testing process.

Exam Structure

The OSCP certification is awarded upon successful completion of a 24-hour practical exam, where the candidate must compromise multiple machines in a controlled lab environment. A comprehensive penetration testing report is required for submission at the end of the exam.

Key Exam Requirements:

  • 24-hour exam window with a focus on active exploitation.
  • Documentation of all exploits used and proof of successful compromises.

Who Should Take OSCP?

The OSCP is ideal for:

  • Aspiring penetration testers.
  • Security professionals looking to strengthen their offensive security skills.
  • IT administrators who want to understand security from an attacker’s perspective.

Resources