Which network security certification is best for a career in penetration testing?

Several network security certifications are highly regarded for individuals pursuing a career in penetration testing. The best certification for you may depend on your specific goals, experience level, and preferences. Here are some of the most widely recognized certifications in the field of penetration testing: -Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) -Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) -GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) -Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) -Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

I strongly believe in the OSCP certification mostly because of how well known it is in the field and because it teaches you both practical and theoretical. Another thing to keep in mind is this certificate will help you start your career in penetration testing and in order to become better and more sophisticated penetration tester you must not stop here. Continue in learning, PWN more boxes, read more books, finish more courses, and get your desired certificates. Remember in order to master anything you must have both practical and theoretical in your studies.

As per my option, OSCP is the best option to go with. We can gain more knowledge from the real-life scenario-based exam for penetration testing.

I will start off saying that certificates are great and useful in this field. You can showcase them in resumes, profiles, etc. They tell that you studied and proven your studies by doing a theoretical or/and practical exams. However, you must understand that the real skills and experience you will gain from real life labs or real life penetration tests such as bug bounty or even a PT job. You must also learn subject after subject in a correct order and never jump between easy and hard ones. Otherwise, you will get stuck because you will lack the required knowledge. Be patient with your studies and always remember to study hard and smart.

Certifications from SANS (GPEN) and Offensive Security (OSCP) are highly regarded in the field of pen testing because they emphasize hands-on practical skills. These certifications often require candidates to demonstrate their ability to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in realistic scenarios, providing a more practical and real-world understanding of cybersecurity. In contrast, certifications like CEH and PenTest+ may be criticized for their reliance on multiple-choice exams and a more theoretical approach. While they cover important concepts, the lack of hands-on practice can limit a candidate's ability to apply their knowledge effectively in dynamic and challenging environments encountered in actual penetration testing roles.