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    • Pen Testing

    Penetration Testing Courses Online

    Master penetration testing for cybersecurity. Learn to identify vulnerabilities, perform security assessments, and mitigate threats.

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    Explore the Penetration Testing Course Catalog

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      P

      Packt

      The Complete Ethical Hacking Course

      Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, OSI Models, Network Security, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), TCP/IP, Cybersecurity, Malware Protection, Cyber Attacks, Wireless Networks, Application Security, Network Monitoring, Linux, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Vulnerability Assessments, General Networking, Security Awareness, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Command-Line Interface, Large Language Modeling, Prompt Engineering

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      Meta

      Meta Full-Stack Developer

      Skills you'll gain: Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), Django (Web Framework), Version Control, Restful API, Responsive Web Design, Unix Commands, HTML and CSS, Git (Version Control System), GitHub, Relational Databases, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Database Management Systems, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), React.js, Mobile Development, SQL, Database Design, Unit Testing, Javascript, Web Development

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      23K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IBM

      Generative AI for Java and Spring Developers

      Skills you'll gain: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, ChatGPT, Large Language Modeling, Restful API, Spring Framework, Data Ethics, Natural Language Processing, OpenAI, Application Deployment, Artificial Intelligence, Software Development Tools, Software Testing, Test Automation, Software Development, DevSecOps, Application Security, CI/CD, Application Programming Interface (API), Java

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      6.8K reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      P

      Packt

      Practical Cyber Hacking Skills for Beginners

      Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, Network Security, Cyber Security Assessment, Cybersecurity, Cyber Attacks, Incident Response, Firewall, Hardening, Information Systems Security, Application Security, Vulnerability Scanning, Malware Protection, Command-Line Interface, Linux Commands, Network Analysis

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      I

      IBM

      Ethical Hacking with Kali Linux

      Skills you'll gain: Linux, Linux Commands, Penetration Testing, Bash (Scripting Language), Network Monitoring, Scripting, Cyber Security Assessment, Command-Line Interface, Cybersecurity, Vulnerability Assessments, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, System Configuration, Network Security, Automation, Virtual Machines

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      C

      Coursera

      Prototype to Success: Figma Prototyping Essentials

      Skills you'll gain: Figma (Design Software), Prototyping, Mockups, Interaction Design, Design Reviews, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Wireframing, Collaborative Software, UI Components, Usability Testing, Animations

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      Universidad de los Andes

      Creación XR y Metaversos para todos

      Skills you'll gain: Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Prototyping, Virtual Reality, Usability Testing, Augmented Reality, Unity Engine, Virtual Environment, UI/UX Research, Cross Platform Development, User Interface (UI), Animation and Game Design, Game Design, Unreal Engine, Interaction Design, User Experience, C# (Programming Language), Development Environment, Display Devices, Development Testing, Experience Design

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      19 reviews

      Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      B

      Board Infinity

      Mastering DeepSeek: From Architecture to Application

      Skills you'll gain: Deep Learning, Generative AI Agents, Generative AI, Business Process Automation, Large Language Modeling, Application Deployment, Prompt Engineering, Software Development Tools, Software Architecture, Automation, Development Environment, Application Programming Interface (API), Artificial Intelligence, Integration Testing, Systems Architecture, Applied Machine Learning, Unstructured Data, Open Source Technology, Reinforcement Learning, Scalability

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      V

      Vanderbilt University

      Generative AI Database Design & Management with ChatGPT

      Skills you'll gain: Database Design, Data Migration, Generative AI, Software Documentation, Dashboard, Database Management, ChatGPT, Gap Analysis, Database Architecture and Administration, Technical Design, SQL, Prototyping, Performance Testing, Simulation and Simulation Software, Data Quality

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      12 reviews

      Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      U

      University of Michigan

      User Experience Research and Design

      Skills you'll gain: UI/UX Research, Surveys, Qualitative Research, Usability Testing, User Experience Design, User Experience, User Research, User Story, Prototyping, Wireframing, User Centered Design, Survey Creation, Sampling (Statistics), Design Research, Interaction Design, Ideation, A/B Testing, Conceptual Design, User Interface (UI), Test Case

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.2K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      W

      Whizlabs

      Exam Prep: Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

      Skills you'll gain: Audit Planning, Data Security, Network Security, Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity Planning, Security Testing, Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Security, Identity and Access Management, Database Management, Enterprise Architecture, IT Management, Compliance Auditing, Database Administration, Problem Management, Cloud Security, Security Controls, Information Technology, Relational Databases, Compliance Management

      Intermediate · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    • Status: New
      New
      Status: Free Trial
      Free Trial
      M

      Meta

      Meta Android UI Development

      Skills you'll gain: Android Studio, Android Jetpack, Kotlin, Android Development, Android (Operating System), Responsive Web Design, Mobile Development, UI Components, Unit Testing, Gradle, User Interface (UI) Design, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), User Interface (UI), Application Development, Integrated Development Environments, Development Environment, Programming Principles, Test Driven Development (TDD), Cross Platform Development, Data Structures

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      1.8K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

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    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular pen testing courses

    • The Complete Ethical Hacking Course: Packt
    • Meta Full-Stack Developer: Meta
    • Generative AI for Java and Spring Developers: IBM
    • Practical Cyber Hacking Skills for Beginners: Packt
    • Ethical Hacking with Kali Linux: IBM
    • Prototype to Success: Figma Prototyping Essentials: Coursera
    • Creación XR y Metaversos para todos: Universidad de los Andes
    • Mastering DeepSeek: From Architecture to Application: Board Infinity
    • Generative AI Database Design & Management with ChatGPT: Vanderbilt University
    • User Experience Research and Design: University of Michigan

    Skills you can learn in Computer Security And Networks

    Cybersecurity (33)
    Google (25)
    Google Cloud Platform (17)
    Internet (17)
    Cryptography (16)
    Network Security (16)
    Linux (12)
    Software Testing (12)
    Information Security (10)
    Application Programming Interfaces (8)
    Kubernetes (8)
    Web (8)

    Frequently Asked Questions about Pen Testing

    Penetration testing, commonly referred to as pen testing or “ethical hacking,” is the process of conducting a simulated cyberattack on an organization’s computer system. Pen testing is an important technique used by cybersecurity professionals for exposing database vulnerabilities and network security flaws that could be exploited by hackers. With so much of today’s critical business as well as personal information accessible through the internet, cyberattacks can be incredibly costly or even dangerous, making this process of identifying vulnerabilities essential.

    Pen tests may use a variety of methods to execute a cyberattack, including brute force attacks, SQL injection, phishing, or even hardware devices. In order to simulate real-world cyberattacks as closely as possible, a “single-blind” test is typically carried out by an outside cybersecurity or IT security analyst with no prior knowledge of the network security systems in place, and in a “double-blind” test the company’s own IT and cybersecurity team is not given advance notice. Pen testing procedures also vary depending on whether the organization wants to simulate an external attack from an outside hacker or an internal attack from a disgruntled employee.‎

    Pen testing is an essential part of the toolkit of IT security analysts and cybersecurity consultants, who are responsible for helping companies protect their computer networks and systems against malicious cyber attacks. Unknown network security vulnerabilities can lead to incredibly costly data breaches, potentially exposing private information of an organization, its employees, and its customers, making the identification of these flaws a critically important part of cybersecurity.

    Given the elevated and increasing importance of cybersecurity today, professionals in this field are highly sought after. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analysts earned a median annual salary of $99,730 in 2019, and these jobs are expected to grow by 31% between 2019 and 2029 - much faster than average job growth across the rest of the economy.‎

    Certainly. Coursera offers many opportunities to learn about penetration testing and other cybersecurity topics, including individual courses and Specializations spanning multiple courses. You can learn from top-ranked schools like University of California Davis, University of Maryland College Park, University of Colorado, and the University of London, or you can take courses from IBM to earn a professional certificate in cybersecurity. Regardless of where you want to learn from, Coursera lets you view course materials and complete coursework on a flexible schedule so that you can add these important cybersecurity skills to your resume while continuing to pursue your other schoolwork or existing career.‎

    Because penetration testing isn't a beginner-level skill, you should have a solid technical background in basic Unix commands, software development, and using Linux. Without this experience and skill set, you'll likely struggle with learning pen testing. You should also have a good foundation in the basics of coding, particularly full-stack skills, including Python, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. Some classes may have other prerequisites, such as having an understanding of TCP/IP, networking, and/or Bash scripting.‎

    If you have a strong drive to understand how things work and to beat hackers at their own game, then learning penetration testing might be the ideal subject for you. As a pen tester, you'll be tasked with finding and fixing vulnerabilities, including ones that were previously unknown. You'll also discover how an attack would impact a business and assess how effectively organizations are able to respond and detect attacks. If working on the front lines in the war against hackers and those who threaten cybersecurity sounds exciting, learning pen testing will get you on your way to creating a career doing just that.‎

    Although you don't need a degree to build a career in penetration testing, gaining a formal education in computer science or computer security can help you develop some of the skills you'll need. Common undergraduate degrees for people interested in this field include information security, computer engineering, cybersecurity, and math. Some penetration testers go on to earn their master's degree in cybersecurity or a related field while others go on to work as a network or systems administrator before pursuing certification. Some of the most common certifications include the Certified Ethical Hacker or the Licensed Penetration Tester Master from the EC-Council, the Certified Expert Penetration Tester from the Information Assurance Certification Review Board, and the CompTIA Security+ credential.‎

    Any organization within any industry can benefit from pen testing, but some of the industries most likely to hire pen testers include those that are highly regulated, like health care, banking and finance companies, and service providers. Pen testers can use their skills to test for compliance with regulations. For example, pen testers might perform an audit of a medical device company, hospital, or health care information exchange to ensure it's HIPAA-compliant. Other places rely on pen testing to reveal vulnerabilities in their websites, networks, and systems to remain more secure and enact policies to stay that way.‎

    Online Pen Testing courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Pen Testing skills. Choose from a wide range of Pen Testing courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Pen Testing, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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