Skip to content

CPTS - Certified Penetration Testing Specialist

The CPTS certification is the most comprehensive penetration testing certification, covering advanced enumeration techniques, web application security testing, network penetration testing, Active Directory attacks, and post-exploitation techniques.

Certification Overview

The CPTS certification validates expertise in:

  • Advanced enumeration and reconnaissance
  • Web application security assessment
  • Network penetration testing
  • Active Directory security assessment
  • Post-exploitation and privilege escalation
  • Professional reporting and documentation

Study Sections

Modules

Detailed study materials covering theoretical foundations and key concepts for each CPTS module.

Lab Writeups

Step-by-step solutions and methodologies for hands-on lab exercises and practical scenarios.

Exam Preparation

Exam strategies, practice scenarios, and preparation checklists for the CPTS certification exam.

Learning Path

The CPTS journey covers essential penetration testing skills:

  1. Information Gathering - Reconnaissance and enumeration
  2. Vulnerability Assessment - Identifying security weaknesses
  3. Exploitation - Gaining initial access
  4. Post-Exploitation - Privilege escalation and lateral movement
  5. Reporting - Professional documentation and recommendations

Essential Tools

Key tools for penetration testing:

  • Nmap - Network discovery and port scanning
  • Burp Suite Professional - Web application testing
  • Metasploit - Exploitation framework
  • PowerShell Empire - Post-exploitation framework
  • BloodHound - Active Directory analysis
  • Custom scripts - Automation and efficiency

Module Progress

Track progress through CPTS modules:

  • Penetration Testing Process
  • Getting Started
  • Network Enumeration with Nmap
  • Footprinting
  • Information Gathering - Web Edition
  • Vulnerability Assessment
  • File Transfers
  • Shells & Payloads
  • Using the Metasploit Framework
  • Password Attacks
  • Attacking Common Services
  • Pivoting, Tunneling, and Port Forwarding
  • Active Directory Enumeration & Attacks
  • Using Web Proxies
  • Attacking Web Applications with Ffuf
  • Login Brute Forcing
  • SQL Injection Fundamentals
  • SQLMap Essentials
  • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
  • File Inclusion
  • File Upload Attacks
  • Command Injections
  • Web Attacks
  • Attacking Common Applications
  • Linux Privilege Escalation
  • Windows Privilege Escalation
  • Documentation & Reporting

Exam Information

Exam Details:

  • Duration: 10 days
  • Report: 7 days after completion
  • Format: Practical hands-on assessment
  • Scope: Comprehensive network penetration test

Key Requirements:

  • Demonstrate systematic penetration testing methodology
  • Identify and exploit multiple vulnerabilities
  • Achieve privilege escalation and lateral movement
  • Provide professional penetration testing report