CompTIA’s newest IT certification, CompTIA PenTest+, assesses the knowledge and skills needed to run a comprehensive, responsible and successful penetration testing program. CompTIA PenTest+ tests individuals in five technical areas:
- Planning and scoping
- Information gathering and vulnerability identification
- Attacks and exploits
- Penetration testing tools
- Reporting and communication
As part of the exam development process, CompTIA enlisted cybersecurity professionals to preview the exam as beta testers.
CompTIA PenTest+ Is Now DoD Approved
CompTIA PenTest+ is now approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) 8570 for three cybersecurity job categories.
Learn more!
A Beta Tester Reviews CompTIA PenTest+
Molly Stewart is a Linux cloud engineer from St. Louis, Missouri, and was one of the beta testers for CompTIA PenTest+. She shared her experience with us and the value she finds in the certification.
Q: Please tell me a bit about your job and how it’s related to cybersecurity.
I help design secure solutions for customers who plan to migrate their existing architectures or build new capabilities into the cloud. It is important that I am aware of all implications and risks associated with the decisions I make both when I make suggestions and during implementation. I often work very closely with the security auditing teams.
Q: How did you hear about CompTIA PenTest+, and why did you decide to take it?
I hold other certifications from CompTIA and was sent an email about it. I wanted to sharpen my skill set and see where [CompTIA PenTest+] stood against my other cybersecurity certifications:
- GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)
- GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester (GXPN)
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Systems Security Certified Professional (SCCP)
- CompTIA Security+
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Q: How did you prepare for the CompTIA PenTest+ exam?
I studied the exam objectives posted on CompTIA’s website, and I reviewed my other certification course materials and books I have on offensive security.
Q: Did you feel the content related to your current job?
Yes. The skills outlined in CompTIA PenTest+ are useful to anyone in cybersecurity or dealing with cybersecurity concepts.
The skills outlined in CompTIA PenTest+ are useful to anyone in cybersecurity or dealing with cybersecurity concepts.
The skill set definitely aligns to that of a pen tester but can be useful to those who perform the work securing their systems, as it shows a great understanding of how the attack vectors can be taken advantage of.
Q: Would you recommend CompTIA PenTest+ to others?
Yes, I definitely would. It is more in depth than you would expect from CompTIA, and nearly half the price of other tests like it. (The CEH voucher runs about $1,199, and the GPEN voucher is $1,899 without an attached course.) I think it’s the best deal for your money in skills versus voucher cost.
Q: How do you think CompTIA PenTest+ will help your career?
I’m waiting to see how the corporate and [U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)] markets feel about CompTIA PenTest+ before I make any assumptions, but I believe it can open up some opportunities for me. Editorial Note: CompTIA is in the process of applying to get CompTIA PenTest+ approved for DoD 8570. Stay tuned for updates!
Are you ready to get certified? Download the exam objectives for CompTIA PenTest+ to start studying.
11 comments
Hi, Abdiel - thanks for the question! Good news, CompTIA PenTest+ is officially DoD approved! Yo
Hi, Abdiel - thanks for the question! Good news, CompTIA PenTest+ is officially DoD approved! You can get all the details here: https://www.comptia.org/blog/comptia-pentest-dod-approvalRead full commentAny update on PenTest+ receiving DoD approval? Thank you.
Hi, John! Thanks for your question. When we submit a certification for approval for 8570, we follow
Hi, John! Thanks for your question. When we submit a certification for approval for 8570, we follow the process from the DoD, and a variety of factors play in to how long the approval actually takes. We submitted Cloud+ for approval before submitting PenTest+, so we always anticipated that the approval for Cloud+ would come first. There just seems to be more chatter in the industry about getting PenTest+ approved than there is about Cloud+.Read full commentHow did The Cloud + get approved for 8570 before Pentest +? It doesn’t really make much sens
How did The Cloud + get approved for 8570 before Pentest +? It doesn’t really make much sense. Read full commentHi, David! Thanks for your question. The 8570 approval for PenTest+ is still in process, and we
Hi, David! Thanks for your question. The 8570 approval for PenTest+ is still in process, and we expect to have more information soon. It has not been declined. Stay tuned!Read full commentAny word on PenTest+ ? I know CompTIA was pushing and advertising pretty aggressively to get thi
Any word on PenTest+ ? I know CompTIA was pushing and advertising pretty aggressively to get this added to approved 8570 certifications. 8570 approved certifications have just been updated. Should we assume that it wasn't successful in getting added to the list? Thanks!Read full commentHi, Erik! Thanks for your question. We do not have any updates on DoD approval. Rest assured you wil
Hi, Erik! Thanks for your question. We do not have any updates on DoD approval. Rest assured you will hear as soon as we do.Read full commentHello! has there been any updates on the Pentest+ DoD 8570/8140 Approval? if not when can we exp
Hello! has there been any updates on the Pentest+ DoD 8570/8140 Approval? if not when can we expect to hear an update? Read full commentHello! Thank you both for your question. We do not have an update - we are still waiting for DoD app
Hello! Thank you both for your question. We do not have an update - we are still waiting for DoD approval. It could come in early 2020, but it's really out of our hands at this point. Have no fear - when we get the approval, you will know. Thanks!Read full commentI would also like to know about the DoD 8570 approval/acceptance status. I believe it was originally
I would also like to know about the DoD 8570 approval/acceptance status. I believe it was originally supposed to be completed in spring of 2019? But I haven't seen any updates/feedback regarding it. Read full commentAre there any updates on the DOD 8570 approval/acceptance?