Junior - intermediate

Certified Penetration Testing Associate (CPTA)

Lessons available in 9 languages with native text-to-speech (beta)

The Certified Penetration Testing Associate (CPTA) provides a practical pathway into offensive cybersecurity, focusing on the techniques, methodologies, and mindset used by modern penetration testers. Through hands-on labs, realistic scenarios, and practical assessments, learners develop the skills required to identify, exploit, and report vulnerabilities across enterprise infrastructure, web applications, and cloud environments.

Skills you'll gain

Penetration Testing
Cloud Security Testing
Scoping
Technical Documentation & Reporting
Penetration Testing Methodology
Python & Security Automation
Vulnerability Assessment
File Inclusion & Path Traversal
Command Injection Testing
SQL Injection Testing
Web Application Testing
Lateral Movement
Privilege Escalation
Authentication & Credential Attacks
Active Directory Enumeration
Active Directory Fundamentals
Windows Administration
Linux Administration
Service Enumeration & Fingerprinting
Network Enumeration
AWS Exploitation

Certified Penetration Testing Associate (CPTA)

Recommended experience

0-3 years experience

Estimated time to complete

approximately 100 hours to complete

On-demand access

Complete in 4 months

Training and exam price

£399.00 GBP

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Who is the course for?

The training is valuable for penetration testers, ethical hackers, security consultants, red team operators, and security professionals seeking to strengthen their offensive capabilities. 

Blue team practitioners, including SOC analysts, threat hunters, detection engineers, and incident responders, will also benefit by gaining insight into an attacker's mindset, tools, techniques, and procedures (TTPs)

Whilst our content is aimed primarily at entry-level or junior roles, it's worth reading our course syllabus to see if the CPTA is a good fit for you or your team.

Why choose CPTA?

Developing offensive security skills helps you understand how attackers think, identify weaknesses and exploit them. Whether you're starting a career in penetration testing or strengthening your wider security knowledge, CPTA provides practical experience across the complete penetration testing process through structured learning, hands on labs and realistic assessments.

You’ll gain experience in:

  • Planning and performing penetration testing engagements
  • Discovering, exploiting and validating security vulnerabilities
  • Assessing enterprise infrastructure, web applications and AWS environments
  • Applying privilege escalation, lateral movement and post exploitation techniques
  • Reporting findings clearly and professionally
  • …and much more.

Networking Essentials

42 topics

16 quizzes

What You'll Learn

This module covers the basics of networking, including protocols, IP addressing, subnetting, and network troubleshooting.

Lessons

  • Introduction and History
  • Network Components
  • Cabling
  • OSI Model
  • TCP/IP
  • IPv4
  • ARP
  • Routing
  • Transport Layer
  • DNS
  • ICMP
  • DHCP
  • IPv6
  • Basic Network Security
  • Network Troubleshooting
  • Wireless Networking
  • Final Quiz

Linux Essentials

Windows Essentials

Python Essentials

Penetration Testing Process

Network Discovery

Vulnerability Assessment

Password Attacks

Exploitation Essentials

File Transfer & Data Movement

Linux Privilege Escalation

Windows Privilege Escalation

Lateral Movement Essentials

Persistence Essentials

Web Application Essentials

AWS Essentials

Practice Labs And Exam Preparation

Unsure if CPTA is right for you?

Give our junior blue team certification, BTL1, a try.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the access?

Once you purchase CPTA, it will immediately appear in your account. You can start the course whenever you’re ready and will have 4 months of on demand access to the course and training materials from the date you start.

Does the cost of the course include all resources needed to pass the exam?

Yes. The CPTA course includes all the learning materials and practical resources you need to prepare for and pass the exam, including course content, activities, quizzes and 60+ hands on labs. You won’t need to purchase any additional training materials or resources.

 

What's included in the price?

The price includes 4 months of on demand access to 600+ lessons, activities and quizzes covering more than 20 domains, plus 60+ hands on labs where you can develop and practise your penetration testing skills.

You’ll also get access to the three part practical CPTA exam, with a resit included. Upon passing, you’ll receive your CPTA certification, digital and printed certificates, a Credly digital badge, and a silver challenge coin, or gold if you score 90%+ on your first attempt.

How long does it take to complete the certification?

Completing the CPTA certification takes around 100 hours on average. The actual time will vary depending on your existing knowledge and experience, how quickly you work through the course material and hands on labs, and how much time you can dedicate to learning.

 

What are the prerequisites for enrolling in this certification?

CPTA is suitable for anyone looking to develop practical penetration testing and offensive cybersecurity skills. It is ideal for aspiring penetration testers, ethical hackers, security consultants and red team operators, as well as cybersecurity professionals looking to strengthen their offensive capabilities.

Defensive security professionals, including SOC analysts, threat hunters, detection engineers and incident responders, can also benefit by developing a stronger understanding of attacker techniques and how they are used in real world environments.

Are there any exam entry requirements? If so, what are they?

No, there are no entry requirements for the exam. You can take the exam whenever you feel ready, however we strongly recommend you complete all the labs, as they are designed to prepare you for the practical exam.