Sekurno | Cybersecurity

Origin of the OSCP

The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification was created by Offensive Security, a company founded by Mati Aharoni and other security professionals in 2007. The certification was developed to address the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical penetration testing skills in the cybersecurity industry. Offensive Security designed the OSCP to be a hands-on, performance-based certification that requires candidates to demonstrate actual hacking skills in a controlled lab environment rather than simply answering multiple-choice questions.

Industry Value and Importance

The OSCP is highly valued in the cybersecurity industry because it proves that holders possess real-world penetration testing abilities. Unlike traditional certifications, the OSCP's 24-hour practical exam requires candidates to successfully compromise multiple machines in a simulated network environment and document their findings professionally. This hands-on approach has made it a gold standard for entry to intermediate-level penetration testers, and it's frequently requested or required by employers hiring for offensive security roles. The certification's difficulty and practical nature have earned it significant respect among security professionals and hiring managers.

OSWE Certification Overview

Origin

The Offensive Security Web Expert (OSWE) certification was created by Offensive Security, the cybersecurity training company behind Kali Linux and the renowned OSCP certification. Introduced in 2018, the OSWE was developed to address the growing need for professionals skilled in advanced web application security and source code review. The certification emerged from Offensive Security's commitment to hands-on, practical training that goes beyond surface-level vulnerability scanning to focus on understanding and exploiting complex web application logic flaws.

Industry Value

The OSWE is highly valued in the cybersecurity industry because it demonstrates an individual's ability to perform white-box web application penetration testing and identify security vulnerabilities through source code analysis. Unlike automated scanning tools, OSWE holders can manually review code in languages like JavaScript, Python, PHP, and Java to discover subtle security flaws that typically evade detection. This certification is particularly prized by organizations with mature security programs, penetration testing firms, and companies requiring deep application security expertise, as it validates practical skills through a challenging 48-hour hands-on exam that requires candidates to exploit real vulnerabilities in live applications.

OSEP Cybersecurity Certification

The Offensive Security Experienced Penetration Tester (OSEP) certification was created by Offensive Security, the same organization behind the renowned OSCP certification. Launched in 2020, the OSEP was developed to address the growing need for advanced penetration testing skills that go beyond basic exploitation. The certification was designed to validate professionals' abilities to conduct sophisticated attacks against modern enterprises, including evading security controls, bypassing defenses, and operating in restricted environments.

The OSEP is highly valued in the cybersecurity industry because it demonstrates hands-on expertise in advanced penetration testing techniques used in real-world scenarios. Unlike many theoretical certifications, it requires candidates to complete a challenging 48-hour practical exam where they must compromise multiple targets in a simulated corporate environment. Employers recognize OSEP holders as having proven capabilities in offensive security operations, making it particularly valuable for penetration testers, red team operators, and security consultants who need to demonstrate their ability to identify and exploit complex vulnerabilities in enterprise networks.

OSWP Cybersecurity Certification

Origin

The Offensive Security Wireless Professional (OSWP) certification was created by Offensive Security, the same company behind the renowned OSCP certification. Launched in 2008, the OSWP was developed to address the growing need for professionals skilled in wireless network security assessment. Offensive Security created this certification to provide hands-on, practical training in identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in 802.11 wireless networks, maintaining their philosophy of "Try Harder" and emphasizing real-world penetration testing skills over theoretical knowledge.

Industry Value

The OSWP is valued in the cybersecurity industry because it demonstrates proven practical ability in wireless network penetration testing through a hands-on exam format. Unlike multiple-choice certifications, holders must successfully crack WEP and WPA/WPA2 encryption and document their methodology in a professional penetration testing report. This certification is particularly respected because it validates actual technical competency rather than memorization, making OSWP holders attractive candidates for penetration testing roles, security consulting positions, and network security positions where wireless infrastructure assessment is critical.

eCPPTv2 Cybersecurity Certification

The eLearnSecurity Certified Professional Penetration Tester (eCPPT) certification was created by eLearnSecurity, an Italian cybersecurity training company founded in 2004. In 2021, eLearnSecurity was acquired by INE (International Network of Experts), which continues to offer the certification as eCPPTv2. The certification was developed to address the need for practical, hands-on penetration testing credentials that go beyond theoretical knowledge, focusing on real-world scenarios that security professionals encounter in the field.

The eCPPT is valued in the industry for its practical, performance-based examination approach that requires candidates to conduct a full penetration test against a simulated corporate network, including reporting findings in a professional manner. Unlike multiple-choice exams, it demonstrates actual technical competency in areas like network security, web application testing, and vulnerability assessment. This hands-on validation makes it particularly attractive to employers seeking candidates who can immediately apply penetration testing skills, positioning it as a mid-level certification that bridges entry-level credentials and advanced certifications like OSCP.

eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester (eJPT) Certification

The eJPT certification was created by eLearnSecurity, an Italian cybersecurity training company founded in 2004 that later became part of INE Security after an acquisition in 2020. The certification was developed to provide an entry-level, practical certification for individuals beginning their careers in penetration testing and ethical hacking. eLearnSecurity designed the eJPT as an affordable and accessible alternative to more expensive certifications, focusing on hands-on skills rather than purely theoretical knowledge. The certification emerged during the 2010s as the cybersecurity industry recognized the need for practical, skills-based assessments that could better prepare junior professionals for real-world penetration testing scenarios.

The eJPT is valued in the penetration testing industry as a legitimate entry-level credential that demonstrates fundamental practical competencies in network security, vulnerability assessment, and basic exploitation techniques. Unlike some certifications that rely heavily on multiple-choice exams, the eJPT requires candidates to complete a practical exam involving actual penetration testing tasks in a simulated network environment, which employers appreciate as evidence of hands-on capability. Many penetration testing companies and cybersecurity teams recognize the eJPT as a meaningful indicator that a candidate has moved beyond pure theory and possesses baseline technical skills needed for junior roles. The certification has gained particular traction among career changers and recent graduates as an affordable stepping stone before pursuing more advanced credentials like the OSCP or CEH.

EMAPT Certification/Standard

Origin

The EMAPT (European Manual of Audit and Penetration Testing) standard was developed in the early 2000s by a consortium of European cybersecurity professionals and industry organizations seeking to establish consistent methodologies for security testing across the continent. Created in response to the growing need for standardized approaches to vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, EMAPT was designed to provide a comprehensive framework that testing organizations could adopt to ensure quality and consistency in their security assessments. The standard emerged from collaborative efforts among penetration testing practitioners who recognized the necessity for structured, repeatable processes in an industry that was rapidly maturing.

Industry Importance

EMAPT certification is valued in the penetration testing industry because it demonstrates an organization's commitment to following established, rigorous testing methodologies and quality assurance processes. Companies holding EMAPT certification signal to clients that their testing procedures meet recognized European standards for thoroughness, documentation, and ethical conduct. For penetration testing firms, maintaining EMAPT compliance helps differentiate their services in a competitive marketplace and provides assurance to clients—particularly those in regulated industries—that security assessments will be conducted according to proven frameworks. The certification also facilitates cross-border security testing engagements within Europe by establishing common expectations for testing scope, methodology, and reporting standards.

CRTO Certification Overview

Origin

The Certified Red Team Operator (CRTO) certification was created by Zero-Point Security, a cybersecurity training organization founded by Daniel Duggan (known as RastaMouse in the security community). Launched in 2020, the certification was developed to address a gap in practical, hands-on red team training. Zero-Point Security designed CRTO to move beyond theoretical knowledge and provide realistic adversary simulation experience, focusing on the tactics, techniques, and procedures actually used in modern red team operations.

Industry Value

The CRTO is valued in the cybersecurity industry for its practical, performance-based assessment approach that tests real-world red teaming skills rather than multiple-choice knowledge. The certification requires candidates to complete a 48-hour practical exam where they must compromise an Active Directory environment, demonstrating proficiency with tools like Cobalt Strike and command-and-control infrastructure. Employers appreciate CRTO holders because the certification validates hands-on offensive security capabilities, including lateral movement, privilege escalation, and persistence techniques that are directly applicable to red team engagements and penetration testing roles.

CRTP Certification Overview

Origin and Background

The Certified Red Team Professional (CRTP) certification was created by Pentester Academy (now part of INE Security), founded by Nikhil Mittal. Launched in the mid-2010s, the CRTP was developed to address the growing need for practical, hands-on training in Active Directory security and Windows domain exploitation. Unlike many theoretical cybersecurity certifications, CRTP was designed to provide security professionals with real-world attack simulation skills, focusing specifically on the techniques used by adversaries to compromise enterprise networks.

Industry Value and Importance

The CRTP is valued in the cybersecurity industry for its practical, lab-based approach to red team operations and Active Directory attacks. Employers recognize it as evidence that a professional can perform actual penetration testing techniques rather than simply understanding theoretical concepts. The certification is particularly respected for its focus on Windows enterprise environments, which remain the backbone of most corporate networks. For offensive security professionals, red teamers, and penetration testers, the CRTP demonstrates hands-on capability in privilege escalation, lateral movement, and domain compromise—skills that are directly applicable to real-world security assessments and are increasingly sought after as organizations prioritize proactive security testing.