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Penetration Testers

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)	Projected Growth (2024-2034)
National Statistics	$108970	31300	8.2%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$108970

Median Wage (USD, 2024)

31300

Projected Job Openings (2024-2034)

8.2%

Projected Growth (2024-2034)

Evaluate network system security by conducting simulated internal and external cyberattacks using adversary tools and techniques. Attempt to breach and exploit critical systems and gain access to sensitive information to assess system security.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Detailed Work Activities

Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.
Analyze risks to minimize losses or damages.
Analyze security of systems, network, or data.
Develop computer or information systems.
Develop computer or information security policies or procedures.
Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
Develop testing routines or procedures.
Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
Discuss design or technical features of products or services with technical personnel.
Prepare technical or operational reports.
Interpret design or operational test results.
Search files, databases or reference materials to obtain needed information.
Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
Examine records or other types of data to investigate criminal activities.
Stay informed about current developments in field of specialization.
Test computer system operations to ensure proper functioning.
Develop organizational policies or programs.
Prepare analytical reports.

Tasks

Assess the physical security of servers, systems, or network devices to identify vulnerability to temperature, vandalism, or natural disasters.
Collect stakeholder data to evaluate risk and to develop mitigation strategies.
Conduct network and security system audits, using established criteria.
Configure information systems to incorporate principles of least functionality and least access.
Design security solutions to address known device vulnerabilities.
Develop and execute tests that simulate the techniques of known cyber threat actors.
Develop infiltration tests that exploit device vulnerabilities.
Develop presentations on threat intelligence.
Develop security penetration testing processes, such as wireless, data networks, and telecommunication security tests.
Discuss security solutions with information technology teams or management.
Document penetration test findings.
Evaluate vulnerability assessments of local computing environments, networks, infrastructures, or enclave boundaries.
Gather cyber intelligence to identify vulnerabilities.
Identify new threat tactics, techniques, or procedures used by cyber threat actors.
Identify security system weaknesses, using penetration tests.
Investigate security incidents, using computer forensics, network forensics, root cause analysis, or malware analysis.
Keep up with new penetration testing tools and methods.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of hacking trends.
Prepare and submit reports describing the results of security fixes.
Test the security of systems by attempting to gain access to networks, Web-based applications, or computers.
Update corporate policies to improve cyber security.
Write audit reports to communicate technical and procedural findings and recommend solutions.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Innovation

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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