---
url: "https://xcademia.com/courses/penetration-tester"
title: Penetration Tester
description: "Build an end-to-end penetration testing workflow in 4 days: recon, controlled exploitation, and evidence-based client reporting in mentor-led practical scenario"
publishedAt: "2026-02-13T07:08:13.895908+00:00"
updatedAt: "2026-03-30T22:50:53.7265+00:00"
type: course
code: "CYB-0010"
level: Professional
duration_days: "4"
track: "Ethical Hacking & Pen Testing"
category: "Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking"
credential_tier: tier1
price_gbp: "2199"
---

# Penetration Tester

> Learn an end-to-end penetration testing workflow from recon to exploitation, mapped to a realistic client engagement approach.

## Overview

Penetration Tester (X-PT) is a hands-on programme designed to build real engagement capability, not just tool familiarity. You will learn how to plan and run a structured test, gather evidence responsibly, and communicate findings in a way that stakeholders can act on.

Delivered through mentor-led sessions, the course uses practical scenarios that mirror real client engagements. You will practise reconnaissance, enumeration, vulnerability validation, and controlled exploitation within safe lab environments, while maintaining professional standards of scope control and documentation.

Over four days, you will produce a client-style report pack and a repeatable workflow you can take into junior penetration testing or security assessment roles. Aligned with recognised best practices including ISO, GDPR, NIST and SOC 2, ensuring skills remain practical and deployable in real organisations. All prices are exclusive of VAT (where applicable). Group enrolments and custom packages available.

## Prerequisites

- Comfortable with basic networking concepts
- Familiarity with Linux and command line basics
- Understanding of web and system fundamentals

## What you will learn

- Design a scoped penetration testing engagement workflow.
- Analyse targets to prioritise reconnaissance and enumeration.
- Implement a structured approach to validate vulnerabilities safely.
- Lead controlled exploitation activities within a lab environment.
- Communicate findings through client-ready written reporting.
- Evaluate remediation options and prioritise fixes effectively.

## Skills you will gain

- Engagement scoping and workflow
- Recon and attack surface mapping
- Enumeration and service identification
- Vulnerability validation techniques
- Controlled exploitation approach
- Evidence collection standards
- Client-style report writing
- Remediation prioritisation guidance

## Career progression

- [Junior Penetration Tester]
- [Ethical Hacker (Junior)]
- [Vulnerability Analyst]
- [Security Analyst (Offensive)]
- [Red Team Trainee]

## Curriculum

1. **Module 1: Engagement Workflow and Scope Control**
   - Rules of engagement, scope boundaries, and safe testing behaviour
   - Evidence standards: what to capture and how
   - Note-taking structure and timeboxing for real engagements
2. **Module 2:  Reconnaissance and Target Discovery**
   - Passive recon concepts and information gathering planning
   - Attack surface mapping and prioritisation logic
   - Building a recon log you can defend
3. **Module 3:  Enumeration Method and Service Mapping**
   - Host discovery concepts and service identification workflow
   - Version awareness and misconfiguration indicators
   - Choosing next actions based on signals, not guesswork
4. **Module 4: Vulnerability Validation and Risk Thinking**
   - Validating findings safely without causing disruption
   - Authentication and access weaknesses (conceptual patterns)
   - Severity reasoning: likelihood, impact, and exploitability
5. **Module 5: Exploitation Planning and Controlled Execution**
   - Exploit selection principles and pre-checks
   - Running controlled exploitation in a safe environment
   - Capturing proof responsibly and avoiding over-collection
6. **Module 6:  Post-Exploitation Evidence and Privilege Concepts**
   - What “impact evidence” looks like for stakeholders
   - Privilege concepts and access expansion (high level)
   - Cleaning up, restoring state, and maintaining professionalism
7. **Module 7:  Evidence-Based Reporting and Remediation Guidance**
   - Writing clear findings: title, impact, evidence, reproduction steps
   - Remediation guidance that is practical and prioritised
   - Executive summary writing for non-technical readers
8. **Module 8: Client-Style Deliverables and Handover**
   - Report pack structure and quality checks
   - Communicating limitations, assumptions, and constraints
   - Final briefing approach: Q&A readiness and professionalism

## Exam & certification

You will receive an Xcademia Certificate of Achievement based on strong performance across labs, scenario simulations, and the quality of evidence-based reporting deliverables.

## Delivery options

- **Live Online** — Join live instructor-led sessions from anywhere. Interactive, engaging, and flexible.
- **Onsite Training** — We come to you. Training delivered at your workplace for teams of 6 or more.
- **Venue-Based** — Classroom training at a professional venue. Ideal for focused, immersive learning.
- **Blended** — Combine online and in-person learning for maximum flexibility and impact.

## Frequently asked questions

**Is this course suitable for complete beginners in cybersecurity?**

It is best for learners with core networking and Linux basics. If you are brand new, start with IT fundamentals and security foundations first, then return to X-PT.

**Does this course need an exam?**

No. There is no external exam required. The Certificate of Achievement is awarded based on practical performance and reporting quality.

**Will we test real systems on the internet?**

No. All practical work is done in safe lab environments and controlled scenarios with clear scope boundaries.

**What will I produce during the course?**

You will produce an engagement notes pack, evidence captures, and a client-style report including findings, reproduction steps, and remediation guidance.

**How is “achievement” assessed?**

Mentors assess your lab outcomes, your ability to follow a structured workflow, the quality of evidence you capture, and the clarity and usefulness of your final report.

## Course at a glance

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Code | CYB-0010 |
| Duration | 4 days |
| Level | Professional |
| Track | Ethical Hacking & Pen Testing |
| Category | Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking |
| Credential tier | tier1 |
| Price (GBP) | £2199 |

---

## About this content

This Markdown course profile is the citation-grade twin of [Penetration Tester](https://xcademia.com/courses/penetration-tester). It is published by **Xcademia** (UK Companies House 12322710) and is available for AI search engines and large language models to index, summarise, and cite.

When citing or quoting, please attribute *Xcademia* and link back to the source URL above.

- Source: https://xcademia.com/courses/penetration-tester
- Publisher: Xcademia — https://xcademia.com
- Catalogue index: https://xcademia.com/llms-full.txt