Occupation
Penetration tester
Penetration testers are paid to attack systems with permission, to find weaknesses before someone else does. Every engagement runs inside an agreed written scope, and the deliverable is a report that explains each finding, its impact, and how to fix it.
Also known as: Ethical hacker · Offensive security tester · Red team operator
Occupation content
Part of Information technology, data and cybersecurity
What the work involves
- Agree scope, rules of engagement, and authorisation before testing begins
- Map an application, network, or environment for exposed services
- Attempt controlled exploitation of identified weaknesses
- Record evidence and rate findings by impact and exploitability
- Write and present a report with clear remediation advice
- Retest fixes to confirm a weakness is genuinely closed
How people commonly enter
- A degree in cybersecurity, computer science, or information systems
- A college diploma or certificate in cybersecurity or ethical hacking
- A cyber security apprenticeship with an employer
- Hands-on offensive security certifications alongside practical lab experience
- Progression from a security analyst, networking, or development role
Typical training: Varies by employer or jurisdiction
Licensing: Certification common, not usually required
Pathways: Apprenticeship route
Typical work context
Team based · Quiet focus · High responsibility · Remote capable · Client sites · Varied work
Related interests
Investigative (analytical) · Realistic (hands-on) · Enterprising (leading)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Information technology, data and cybersecurity.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — Penetration Testers (15-1299.04) · International
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- US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Information Security Analysts · United States
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- UK National Careers Service — Cyber intelligence officer · United Kingdom
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Information technology, data and cybersecurity in Canada, not a figure for Penetration tester. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Information technology, data and cybersecurity family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Information technology, data and cybersecurity: education pathways
Some roles in Information technology, data and cybersecurity may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Information technology, data and cybersecurity: licensing
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
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