Brazilian cybersecurity firm based in São Paulo; provides penetration testing, security diagnostics, compliance validation, and staff training; confirmed presence of pentest services on multiple pages, with a focus on security assessments and process improvements.
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.
The GPEN Certification: Origin
The GPEN (GIAC Penetration Tester) certification was created by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), an organization founded in 1999 as part of the SANS (SysAdmin, Audit, Network, and Security) Institute. GIAC developed the GPEN to validate the technical skills of cybersecurity professionals who perform penetration testing and ethical hacking. The certification was designed to ensure that practitioners possess both the theoretical knowledge and hands-on abilities needed to conduct proper security assessments and identify vulnerabilities in networks and systems.
Industry Value and Importance
The GPEN certification is highly valued in the cybersecurity industry because it demonstrates practical, real-world penetration testing skills rather than just theoretical knowledge. Employers recognize GPEN-certified professionals as capable of conducting thorough security assessments, understanding attack vectors, and properly documenting findings. The certification meets DoD 8570/8140 requirements for certain Information Assurance positions, making it particularly valuable for government contractors and federal positions. Its focus on hands-on methodology and current attack techniques makes GPEN holders sought after for offensive security roles, penetration testing teams, and security consulting positions.
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.
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.