Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES)

This Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) course provides a comprehensive set of standards for penetration testing. The PTES guides information security professionals while also helping inform organizations what can be expected from penetration tests. Business and security professionals will benefit from this course.
13
10
M
Time
intermediate
difficulty
13
ceu/cpe

Course Content

Course Description

There are a lot of tools and training videos out there, some providing great value to your education and betterment as a Security Professional.

If I were to ask you today, what steps does your team take to perform a penetration test or what standard do you follow, what is your response? Would you work to understand the client business, would discussions of a contract happen, what is and is not within scope, would you establish emergency contact information and rules of engagement? After doing all that, what process is you team following to conduct the test? Do you dive right in and start running scans or do you have a methodology you prefer to follow?

If you have little experience in conducting penetration tests or have been doing so for years, this course will help you to feel confident in addressing clients or your business leaders with a sound standard in hand.

Prerequisites

  • Basic technical terminology understanding
  • Basic terminology in association with security testing
  • In this Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) training, students will learn all the phases of the standard, as well as their application in the business world. Upon completing the course, students will be confident addressing leadership and clients.

    What is the Penetration Testing Execution Standard?

    Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) is a method for penetration testing. It was established for the purpose of addressing the need for a comprehensive set of standards for penetration testing. The PTES guides information security professionals while also helping inform organizations what can be expected from penetration tests, so that they are able to complete successful projects.

    The penetration testing execution standard includes seven phases: * Pre-Engagement * Intelligence Gathering * Threat Modeling * Vulnerability Analysis * Exploitation * Post Exploitation * Reporting

    The PTES sets a baseline for the minimum requirements of a basic penetration test and multiple advanced scenarios with more comprehensive activities to benefit larger organizations that have a higher level of security needs.

    What is Involved in this PTES Course?

    In our online course, students will learn PTES, including all seven phases of the standard. The seven phases cover all the elements of penetration testing from the initial communication and analysis of the test, to the gathering information and threat modeling phases, then onto vulnerability analysis, exploitation and post-exploitation, and lastly, reporting.

    In this course there are eight modules. The first seven are comprehensive studies of the seven phases and all their components. The last module is an overall summary of the entire course.

    Students who take this training should have a basic understanding of technical terminology as well as terminology that is associated with security testing.

    The Penetration Testing Execution Standard training course has 13 hours and 9 minutes total clock time. Once finished, students will earn 13 CEU/CPE and they will receive a Certificate of Completion.

    Why Learn the Penetration Testing Execution Standard?

    One of the biggest benefits of learning PTES is that it provides a methodology that allows penetration testers to evaluate different environments consistently and holistically. Consistency in testing is important for a number of reasons, including: * It is less likely that large vulnerabilities will be missed. * It helps testers avoid tunnel vision, which can lead testers to focus too much in areas that don’t move the engagement forward. * It prevents penetration testers from coming into new environments with any preconceived ideas. * It means that testers will provide consistence in every environment.

    Besides the professional advantages penetration testers will gain from learning PTES, there are various other benefits as well. Cybersecurity, as a profession, is one of the fastest growing industries. Because cybercrime has become so rampant, the demand for security professionals has also increases by leaps and bounds. Organizations know that it’s no longer enough to take a reactive stance with security threats, they need professionals to proactively perform penetration testing to stop cyber attacks and hacking.

    Adding PTES training to a resume will put candidates for cybersecurity jobs ahead of others for interviews, job offers, and career advancements. Hiring managers and IT recruiters look favorably on candidates who have this knowledge.

    Students who take the penetration testing execution standard training course put themselves in a position to be an in-demand professional with abundant job opportunities, earning potential, and job security. For individuals who are interested in helping organizations protect their sensitive information, in an exciting and evolving industry that has the potential to be exciting and new every day, all while earning a great salary, this training course is a must.

    How is it Best to Learn about the PTES?

    The PTES is a comprehensive guide for penetration testers that includes a lot of information. For that reason, it’s essential to have the best instruction and training, from an expert in the field. Cybrary courses are self-paced, convenient, and thorough, and they are taught by professionals who are experienced and knowledgeable in the subject.

    If you are interested in learning more about the Penetration Testing Execution Standard, the PTES course is a convenient way to do so. Enrolling in the online training is easy, simply click the Register button at the top right of this screen to begin.

    This course is part of a Career Path:
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    Instructed by

    Instructor
    Robert Smith

    I am a native to Georgia and long-time lover of technology. I initially started as a criminal justice major in my academic career but decided that I liked working with computers and people along the way. I am always seeking the next challenge and have shelves filled with books on topics like programming, penetration testing, auditing, and business.

    Provider
    Cybrary Logo
    Certification Body
    Certificate of Completion

    Complete this entire course to earn a Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) Certificate of Completion

    Course
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    Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES)

    Course

    This Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) course provides a comprehensive set of standards for penetration testing. The PTES guides information security professionals while also helping inform organizations what can be expected from penetration tests. Business and security professionals will benefit from this course.
    Path Releasing Q2 2025
    Full access included with 
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    Teams

    13

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    10

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    intermediate

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    Experience Level

    13

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    CEU's

    1

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    Learners at 96% of Fortune 1000 companies trust Cybrary

    About this course

    This Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) course provides a comprehensive set of standards for penetration testing. The PTES guides information security professionals while also helping inform organizations what can be expected from penetration tests. Business and security professionals will benefit from this course.
    Read More

    Course Description

    There are a lot of tools and training videos out there, some providing great value to your education and betterment as a Security Professional.

    If I were to ask you today, what steps does your team take to perform a penetration test or what standard do you follow, what is your response? Would you work to understand the client business, would discussions of a contract happen, what is and is not within scope, would you establish emergency contact information and rules of engagement? After doing all that, what process is you team following to conduct the test? Do you dive right in and start running scans or do you have a methodology you prefer to follow?

    If you have little experience in conducting penetration tests or have been doing so for years, this course will help you to feel confident in addressing clients or your business leaders with a sound standard in hand.

    Prerequisites

  • Basic technical terminology understanding
  • Basic terminology in association with security testing
  • In this Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) training, students will learn all the phases of the standard, as well as their application in the business world. Upon completing the course, students will be confident addressing leadership and clients.

    What is the Penetration Testing Execution Standard?

    Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES) is a method for penetration testing. It was established for the purpose of addressing the need for a comprehensive set of standards for penetration testing. The PTES guides information security professionals while also helping inform organizations what can be expected from penetration tests, so that they are able to complete successful projects.

    The penetration testing execution standard includes seven phases: * Pre-Engagement * Intelligence Gathering * Threat Modeling * Vulnerability Analysis * Exploitation * Post Exploitation * Reporting

    The PTES sets a baseline for the minimum requirements of a basic penetration test and multiple advanced scenarios with more comprehensive activities to benefit larger organizations that have a higher level of security needs.

    What is Involved in this PTES Course?

    In our online course, students will learn PTES, including all seven phases of the standard. The seven phases cover all the elements of penetration testing from the initial communication and analysis of the test, to the gathering information and threat modeling phases, then onto vulnerability analysis, exploitation and post-exploitation, and lastly, reporting.

    In this course there are eight modules. The first seven are comprehensive studies of the seven phases and all their components. The last module is an overall summary of the entire course.

    Students who take this training should have a basic understanding of technical terminology as well as terminology that is associated with security testing.

    The Penetration Testing Execution Standard training course has 13 hours and 9 minutes total clock time. Once finished, students will earn 13 CEU/CPE and they will receive a Certificate of Completion.

    Why Learn the Penetration Testing Execution Standard?

    One of the biggest benefits of learning PTES is that it provides a methodology that allows penetration testers to evaluate different environments consistently and holistically. Consistency in testing is important for a number of reasons, including: * It is less likely that large vulnerabilities will be missed. * It helps testers avoid tunnel vision, which can lead testers to focus too much in areas that don’t move the engagement forward. * It prevents penetration testers from coming into new environments with any preconceived ideas. * It means that testers will provide consistence in every environment.

    Besides the professional advantages penetration testers will gain from learning PTES, there are various other benefits as well. Cybersecurity, as a profession, is one of the fastest growing industries. Because cybercrime has become so rampant, the demand for security professionals has also increases by leaps and bounds. Organizations know that it’s no longer enough to take a reactive stance with security threats, they need professionals to proactively perform penetration testing to stop cyber attacks and hacking.

    Adding PTES training to a resume will put candidates for cybersecurity jobs ahead of others for interviews, job offers, and career advancements. Hiring managers and IT recruiters look favorably on candidates who have this knowledge.

    Students who take the penetration testing execution standard training course put themselves in a position to be an in-demand professional with abundant job opportunities, earning potential, and job security. For individuals who are interested in helping organizations protect their sensitive information, in an exciting and evolving industry that has the potential to be exciting and new every day, all while earning a great salary, this training course is a must.

    How is it Best to Learn about the PTES?

    The PTES is a comprehensive guide for penetration testers that includes a lot of information. For that reason, it’s essential to have the best instruction and training, from an expert in the field. Cybrary courses are self-paced, convenient, and thorough, and they are taught by professionals who are experienced and knowledgeable in the subject.

    If you are interested in learning more about the Penetration Testing Execution Standard, the PTES course is a convenient way to do so. Enrolling in the online training is easy, simply click the Register button at the top right of this screen to begin.

    Train Your Team

    Cybrary’s expert-led cybersecurity courses help your team remediate skill gaps and get up-to-date on certifications. Utilize Cybrary to stay ahead of emerging threats and provide team members with clarity on how to learn, grow, and advance their careers within your organization.

    Included in a Path

    Robert Smith
    Director of Security Services at Corsica
    Read Full Bio
    Learn

    Learn core concepts and get hands-on with key skills.

    Practice

    Exercise your problem-solving and creative thinking skills with security-centric puzzles

    Prove

    Assess your knowledge and skills to identify areas for improvement and measure your growth

    Get Hands-on Learning

    Put your skills to the test in virtual labs, challenges, and simulated environments.

    Measure Your Progress

    Track your skills development from lesson to lesson using the Cybrary Skills Tracker.

    Connect with the Community

    Connect with peers and mentors through our supportive community of cybersecurity professionals.

    Success from Our Learners

    "Cybrary really helped me get up to speed and acquire a baseline level of technical knowledge. It offers a far more comprehensive approach than just learning from a book. It actually shows you how to apply cybersecurity processes in a hands-on way"

    Don Gates

    Principal Systems Engineer/SAIC

    "Cybrary’s SOC Analyst career path was the difference maker, and was instrumental in me landing my new job. I was able to show the employer that I had the right knowledge and the hands-on skills to execute the role."

    Cory

    Cybersecurity analyst/

    "I was able to earn my CISSP certification within 60 days of signing up for Cybrary Insider Pro and got hired as a Security Analyst conducting security assessments and penetration testing within 120 days. This certainly wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Cybrary mentor community."

    Mike

    Security Engineer and Pentester/

    "Cybrary really helped me get up to speed and acquire a baseline level of technical knowledge. It offers a far more comprehensive approach than just learning from a book. It actually shows you how to apply cybersecurity processes in a hands-on way"

    Don Gates

    Principal Systems Engineer/SAIC

    "Cybrary’s SOC Analyst career path was the difference maker, and was instrumental in me landing my new job. I was able to show the employer that I had the right knowledge and the hands-on skills to execute the role."

    Cory

    Cybersecurity analyst/

    "I was able to earn my CISSP certification within 60 days of signing up for Cybrary Insider Pro and got hired as a Security Analyst conducting security assessments and penetration testing within 120 days. This certainly wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Cybrary mentor community."

    Mike

    Security Engineer and Pentester/

    "Becoming a Cybrary Insider Pro was a total game changer. Cybrary was instrumental in helping me break into cybersecurity, despite having no prior IT experience or security-related degree. Their career paths gave me clear direction, the instructors had real-world experience, and the virtual labs let me gain hands-on skills I could confidently put on my resume and speak to in interviews."

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    Information Security Analyst/Cisco Systems

    "I was able to earn both my Security+ and CySA+ in two months. I give all the credit to Cybrary. I’m also proud to announce I recently accepted a job as a Cyber Systems Engineer at BDO... I always try to debunk the idea that you can't get a job without experience or a degree."

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    Cyber Systems Engineer/BDO

    "Cybrary has helped me improve my hands-on skills and pass my toughest certification exams, enabling me to achieve 13 advanced certifications and successfully launch my own business. I love the practice tests for certification exams, especially, and appreciate the wide-ranging training options that let me find the best fit for my goals"

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    Founder,/ IntellChromatics.