Vulnerability Testing Courses

Vulnerability Testing Courses

In the world of Information Security, the job of a Vulnerability Tester has developed quickly into what it is today, one of the first lines of defence against hackers. With online adversaries forever probing the IT defences of organisations, vulnerability testing has become a vitally important and necessary task. To help meet this challenge, many Vulnerability Tester Courses have sprung up across the globe.

Those that are tasked with the job of technical vulnerability assessment need to have up to date skills and techniques in order to be effective in countering the hackers. As daily hacking attempts continue to increase across the globe, the need to assess their organisations vulnerability has become a requirement that must be met professionally.

Vulnerability testers and assessors are often hard at work dealing with discovering the vulnerabilities of their organisations information security systems to hacking exploits. Sometimes, it is difficult for them to step back from the daily grind to learn new techniques. But this is vital if they are to maintain their effectiveness in combatting criminal hackers, or others, that wish to gain access to the systems they are responsible for protecting.

This is why formal courses in hacking and defensive information security techniques can provide the breathing space for them to learn these skills more effectively than when on the job.

There are many appropriate Vulnerability Testing focused courses available such as CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) courses, providing recognised certification in IT security. They are often CREST accredited training courses. CompTIA and CISMP (Certificate in Information Security Management Principles) also offer training modules for vulnerability assessment practitioners too.

Comprehensive knowledge of the latest hacking techniques, often learnt on focused courses such as these, will allow students to learn in the classroom, away form the hustle and bustle of their daily tasks.

Courses relevant to Vulnerability Assessment roles

If you are, or would like to become, a vulnerability tester or assessor, then the good news is that there are many great InfoSec vulnerability focused courses out there to help you in your education. The skills learnt will enable students to assess the vulnerability of IT systems more effectively. New ideas will be gained and, perhaps, knowledge shared with like-minded individuals as a result of attending such training courses.

Courses relevant to Vulnerability Assessors

Formal courses, preferably classroom based, allow students to learn in a more formal setting away from their place of work. There is a lot to learn if someone is to become a proficient vulnerability assessor, so sometimes working with their peers can prove to be a valuable bonus. Working together means new ideas can be shared with lessons learned along the way. We will next take a detailed look at the types of courses available for todays IT security professionals in vulnerability assessment roles.

Specific Vulnerability Assessment courses

1) Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)  

CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) courses provide information security professionals with all the basic skills they need to do effectively assess an organisation vulnerability to hacking attempts. As hacking tools and techniques are constantly changing, those working to protect systems from them must adapt their defences to keep them at bay. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) training provides students with the ability to investigate today’s multitude of hacking techniques.

Courses accredited by CREST are provided by organisations such as BAE Systems and NCC Group.

2) CompTIA

CompTIA is a not for profit Information Technology (IT) Association. They work towards enabling information security professionals, such as Vulnerability Assessors, to gain security industry recognised certification. They operate many certification programs, suitable for students at all levels of their information security career. CompTIA certification gives students the skills to do the job and confirms their suitability for employment in a cyber security role.

The following coursework pathways are available: –

CompTIA Fundamentals

Basic training in skills needed to work in an information security role.

CompTIA A+

Basic level training for skills in information security, this includes network and operating systems security plus mobile devices.

CompTIA Network+

This module covers design, configuration, troubleshooting and network management skills, on a vendor neutral basis.

CompTIA Security+

Skills necessary for the SYO-401 exam

CompTIA Linux+

The basic skills needed for Linux system administration, all provided in one training module. Configuration, management and troubleshooting of Linux (Unix based) systems are all covered.

CompTIA Server+

This module covers planning, securing and maintaining a variety of server configurations and their associated storage equipment.

CompTIA Cloud+

Maintenance and optimisation of cloud based infrastructure culminating in the CVO-002 examination.

3) CISMP Courses for Vulnerability Assessors

The Certification from Information Security Management Principles (CISMP) courses are appropriate for staff managing information security. These provide an introduction to the subject or refresher course for those needing to get their key skills in IT Security up to scratch. CISMP certification helps those working towards more advanced exams such as CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) and CISM (Certified Information Security Manager).

Skills and training that a Vulnerability Assessor needs:

• The knowledge to perform vulnerability tests on IT systems, networks or web-based projects. Pen Testing and InfoSec vulnerability focused courses will help to build skills.
• Designing vulnerability testing and assessment tools and techniques.
• Identifying the methods that hackers utilise to learn new ways of countering them.
• Identifying all existing vulnerabilities and exploits in a system.
• Production of reports on vulnerability assessment findings.
• Assessing newly discovered IT security flaws.
• Develop procedures for regular vulnerability testing and aid other staff in relevant InfoSec course training needs.