Penetration Testing - Discovering Vulnerabilities

This is the 7th course in the intermediate, undergraduate-level offering that makes up the larger Cybersecurity Fundamentals MicroBachelors Program. We recommend taking them in order, unless you have a background in these areas already and feel comfortable skipping ahead.

1. Information Security - Introduction to Information Security
2. Information Security - Authentication and Access Control
3. Information Security - Advanced Topics
4. Network Security - Introduction to Network Security
5. Network Security - Protocols
6. Network Security - Advanced Topics
7. Penetration Testing - Discovering Vulnerabilities
8. Penetration Testing - Exploitation
9. Penetration Testing - Post Exploitation

These topics build upon the learnings that are taught in the introductory-level Computer Science Fundamentals MicroBachelors program, offered by the same instructor.

This is a self-paced course that begins the development of ethical hacking skills. The curriculum provides an introduction to penetration testing topics. Among the topics covered are an introduction to Penetration Testing Methodologies, Recognisance, and Enumeration for Penetration Testers, Scanning, and Vulnerability Enumeration. The class starts with an overview of penetration testing and the phases of a penetration test. The 1st phase is Scoping. In the scoping stage, the students learn to outline the test's logistics, expectations, legal implications, objectives, and goals.

The next phase of the penetration tests is reconnaissance. Reconnaissance or Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) gathering is an essential first step in penetration testing. A penetration tester works on gathering as much intelligence on the target organization and the potential system targets for exploitation.

Students will gain hands-on experience scanning for targets and vulnerabilities. The class concludes with threat modeling and vulnerability identification. During the threat modeling and vulnerability identification phase, the tester identifies targets and maps the attack vectors. Any information gathered during the Reconnaissance phase is used to inform the attack method during the penetration test.

Industry Certification Preparation
This program covers much of the material that is assessed on the CompTIA’s Security+ certification exam. Upon program completion, verified track learners will receive a 36% discount code for the CompTIA Security+ exam.