Best Ethical Hacking Courses on Pluralsight 2026

Cybersecurity jobs are projected to grow 35% by 2031, with ethical hackers and penetration testers earning $90K to $150K annually. If you want to break into offensive security through Pluralsight, you are in the right place---with over 150 cybersecurity courses covering everything from beginner penetration testing to advanced exploit development.

But which courses actually prepare you for industry certifications like CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker), OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional), and real penetration testing work? We analyzed Pluralsight’s entire ethical hacking catalog, evaluated hands-on labs, instructor expertise, and certification alignment to identify the top 12 courses worth your time.

Quick Picks: Best Ethical Hacking Courses by Goal

If you have a specific certification or career path in mind, start here:

CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) Preparation:

• Ethical Hacking (CEH Prep 2025) by Troy Hunt (23 hours) - Comprehensive coverage of all 20 CEH exam domains with hands-on demonstrations

OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) Foundation:

• Penetration Testing: The Big Picture by Daniel Lowrie (2 hours) - Essential methodology overview
• Web Application Penetration Testing Fundamentals by Mike Woolard (6 hours) - Critical for OSCP web exploitation

Web Application Security:

• Web Security and the OWASP Top 10: The Big Picture by Troy Hunt (2 hours) - Foundation for all web application testing
• Advanced Web Application Penetration Testing by Mike Woolard (8 hours) - SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, and authentication bypass

Network Penetration Testing:

• Network Penetration Testing Using Python and Kali Linux by Malcolm Shore (12 hours) - Network exploitation with scripting automation

The Top 12 Ethical Hacking Courses on Pluralsight (Ranked)

After evaluating course quality, hands-on labs, instructor credentials, and student outcomes, here are the best ethical hacking courses on Pluralsight:

1. Ethical Hacking (CEH Prep 2025)

Instructor: Troy Hunt Duration: 23 hours Level: Intermediate Best For: CEH certification preparation

Troy Hunt (creator of Have I Been Pwned and Microsoft Regional Director) delivers the definitive CEH preparation course on Pluralsight. This course covers all 20 CEH exam domains: reconnaissance, scanning, enumeration, vulnerability analysis, system hacking, malware threats, sniffing, social engineering, denial of service, session hijacking, web application hacking, SQL injection, wireless network hacking, mobile platform hacking, IoT hacking, cloud computing threats, and cryptography.

What makes it great: Troy combines theoretical knowledge with practical demonstrations using Kali Linux, Metasploit, Burp Suite, and custom scripts. The course goes beyond exam prep by teaching you to think like an attacker and defender simultaneously.

2. Penetration Testing: The Big Picture

Instructor: Daniel Lowrie Duration: 2 hours Level: Beginner Best For: Understanding penetration testing methodology

Daniel Lowrie provides essential penetration testing methodology covering the entire kill chain: pre-engagement, reconnaissance, exploitation, post-exploitation, and reporting. This course teaches you the structured approach used by professional penetration testers and required for OSCP certification.

What makes it great: Before diving into technical exploits, you need to understand methodology. This course provides that foundation, teaching you when to use specific tools and how to document findings professionally.

3. Web Application Penetration Testing Fundamentals

Instructor: Mike Woolard Duration: 6 hours Level: Intermediate Best For: Web application security testing

Mike Woolard teaches the fundamentals of web application penetration testing covering OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities: SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), broken authentication, sensitive data exposure, XML external entities (XXE), broken access control, security misconfiguration, cross-site request forgery (CSRF), and insecure deserialization. You will use Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, and manual testing techniques.

What makes it great: Web applications are the primary attack vector in modern penetration tests. This course teaches you to find and exploit critical web vulnerabilities that appear on every engagement.

4. Advanced Web Application Penetration Testing

Instructor: Mike Woolard Duration: 8 hours Level: Advanced Best For: Complex web exploitation scenarios

Mike Woolard returns with advanced web application testing covering blind SQL injection, advanced XSS payloads, server-side request forgery (SSRF), authentication and authorization bypass, business logic flaws, and API security testing. This course prepares you for the web exploitation required in OSCP and real penetration tests.

What makes it great: The labs include realistic scenarios where you exploit multi-stage vulnerabilities, chain exploits together, and pivot through web applications---exactly what professional penetration testers do.

5. Network Penetration Testing Using Python and Kali Linux

Instructor: Malcolm Shore Duration: 12 hours Level: Advanced Best For: Network exploitation with automation

Malcolm Shore teaches network penetration testing using Kali Linux tools (Nmap, Metasploit, Wireshark, Aircrack-ng) combined with Python scripting for automation. You will learn port scanning, vulnerability identification, exploitation with Metasploit, privilege escalation, lateral movement, and writing custom exploit scripts in Python.

What makes it great: Python scripting separates professional penetration testers from tool operators. This course teaches you to automate reconnaissance, customize exploits, and build tools when existing ones fall short.

6. Web Security and the OWASP Top 10: The Big Picture

Instructor: Troy Hunt Duration: 2 hours Level: Beginner Best For: Web security foundations

Troy Hunt provides an accessible introduction to web security and the OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities. Perfect for beginners before diving into technical exploitation courses. Troy explains each vulnerability with real-world examples from breaches he has investigated, making abstract security concepts concrete.

What makes it great: Troy’s teaching style makes complex security concepts accessible. This course provides essential context before learning exploitation techniques.

7. Reconnaissance and Information Gathering for Ethical Hacking

Instructor: Dale Meredith Duration: 5 hours Level: Intermediate Best For: Mastering reconnaissance methodology

Dale Meredith covers the reconnaissance phase of penetration testing: passive information gathering with OSINT tools (Google dorking, Shodan, theHarvester, Maltego), active scanning with Nmap and Nessus, DNS enumeration, subdomain discovery, and target profiling. Reconnaissance determines the success of the entire engagement.

What makes it great: Professional penetration testers spend 40-60% of their time on reconnaissance. This course teaches you to gather comprehensive intelligence before attempting exploitation.

8. Exploitation with Metasploit Framework

Instructor: Josh Wieder Duration: 7 hours Level: Intermediate Best For: Mastering the Metasploit Framework

Josh Wieder delivers comprehensive Metasploit training covering exploit selection, payload generation, auxiliary modules, post-exploitation with Meterpreter, privilege escalation, persistence mechanisms, and writing custom Metasploit modules. Metasploit is the most widely used exploitation framework in professional penetration testing.

What makes it great: Metasploit appears in every network penetration test. This course teaches you to use Metasploit effectively, not just run automated exploits blindly.

9. Wireless Network Penetration Testing

Instructor: Dean Pompilio Duration: 6 hours Level: Intermediate Best For: Wi-Fi security assessment

Dean Pompilio teaches wireless penetration testing covering Wi-Fi security protocols (WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3), wireless reconnaissance with Aircrack-ng suite, deauthentication attacks, handshake capture and cracking, rogue access point creation, evil twin attacks, and wireless network segmentation testing.

What makes it great: Wireless networks remain a common entry point for attackers. This course teaches you to assess Wi-Fi security comprehensively using industry-standard tools.

10. Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks

Instructor: Lynn Langit Duration: 4 hours Level: Intermediate Best For: Human-based attack vectors

Lynn Langit covers social engineering techniques used in penetration testing: pretexting, phishing email creation, credential harvesting with tools like SET (Social-Engineer Toolkit) and Gophish, vishing (voice phishing), physical security testing, and USB drop attacks. Most breaches begin with social engineering.

What makes it great: Technical controls fail when humans are the weakest link. This course teaches you to test organizational security awareness and identify human-based vulnerabilities.

11. Linux Privilege Escalation for Ethical Hackers

Instructor: Daniel Lowrie Duration: 5 hours Level: Advanced Best For: Post-exploitation and privilege escalation

Daniel Lowrie teaches Linux privilege escalation techniques essential for OSCP: enumeration with LinEnum and Linux Smart Enumeration, exploiting SUID binaries, kernel exploits, cron job abuse, sudo misconfigurations, password hunting, and file permission exploitation. Privilege escalation is the most challenging OSCP requirement.

What makes it great: Getting a foothold is only half the battle. This course teaches you to escalate from low-privilege shells to root access using multiple techniques---critical for OSCP success.

12. Burp Suite: Getting Started

Instructor: Mike Woolard Duration: 4 hours Level: Beginner to Intermediate Best For: Mastering the essential web testing tool

Mike Woolard provides comprehensive Burp Suite training covering proxy configuration, intercepting requests, repeater usage, intruder for automated attacks, scanner functionality, decoder and comparer tools, and advanced Burp extensions. Burp Suite is the industry-standard tool for web application penetration testing.

What makes it great: Every web application penetration tester uses Burp Suite. This course teaches you to leverage Burp effectively, significantly accelerating your web testing capabilities.

Skills Covered Across Ethical Hacking Courses

Pluralsight’s ethical hacking curriculum covers all skills required for professional penetration testing:

Reconnaissance and Information Gathering

• Passive reconnaissance with OSINT tools
• Active scanning with Nmap, Nessus, OpenVAS
• DNS enumeration and subdomain discovery
• Google dorking and metadata extraction
• Social media intelligence gathering

Vulnerability Assessment

• Automated vulnerability scanning
• Manual vulnerability verification
• CVE research and exploit identification
• Attack surface analysis
• Security misconfiguration detection

Network Exploitation

• Service exploitation with Metasploit
• Buffer overflow exploitation
• Network protocol attacks (SMB, RDP, SSH)
• Man-in-the-middle attacks
• Network traffic analysis with Wireshark

Web Application Exploitation

• SQL injection (error-based, blind, time-based)
• Cross-site scripting (reflected, stored, DOM-based)
• Authentication and authorization bypass
• Server-side request forgery (SSRF)
• XML external entity (XXE) attacks
• Insecure deserialization exploitation

Wireless Network Attacks

• WEP and WPA/WPA2 cracking
• Handshake capture and offline cracking
• Evil twin and rogue access point attacks
• Deauthentication and disassociation attacks
• Wireless network reconnaissance

Post-Exploitation

• Linux privilege escalation
• Windows privilege escalation
• Lateral movement techniques
• Persistence mechanisms
• Data exfiltration methods
• Covering tracks and log manipulation

Password Attacks

• Password cracking with Hashcat and John the Ripper
• Rainbow table attacks
• Credential stuffing and password spraying
• Hash extraction and pass-the-hash attacks
• Brute force and dictionary attacks

Social Engineering

• Phishing campaign creation
• Credential harvesting
• Pretexting and vishing
• Physical security testing
• USB drop attacks

Hands-On Labs: Why They Make or Break Your Learning

Ethical hacking is a practical skill that cannot be learned from videos alone. Pluralsight’s hands-on cybersecurity labs are essential for building real penetration testing capabilities.

What Pluralsight Cybersecurity Labs Offer

• Pre-configured vulnerable environments: Exploit intentionally vulnerable systems without legal risk
• Real penetration testing tools: Use Kali Linux, Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, and specialized exploitation tools
• Guided exploitation scenarios: Step-by-step challenges that teach methodology
• Validation and verification: Labs confirm you successfully exploited vulnerabilities
• Safe experimentation: Make mistakes, crash systems, and learn without consequences

Top Cybersecurity Lab Categories

Web Application Hacking Labs:

• Exploit SQL injection vulnerabilities in vulnerable web apps
• Perform cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks and steal session cookies
• Bypass authentication and authorization mechanisms
• Chain multiple vulnerabilities for complete compromise

Network Penetration Testing Labs:

• Scan networks with Nmap and identify vulnerable services
• Exploit services with Metasploit and gain shell access
• Perform privilege escalation from user to root
• Move laterally through compromised networks

Wireless Security Labs:

• Crack WEP and WPA2 encryption
• Capture handshakes and perform offline cracking
• Create evil twin access points
• Intercept wireless traffic

Reconnaissance Labs:

• Gather intelligence using OSINT techniques
• Enumerate DNS records and discover subdomains
• Identify attack surface through passive reconnaissance
• Map network topology with active scanning

Post-Exploitation Labs:

• Escalate privileges on Linux systems
• Escalate privileges on Windows systems
• Establish persistence mechanisms
• Exfiltrate data from compromised systems

Cybersecurity Sandboxes

Pluralsight offers cybersecurity sandboxes---open environments with penetration testing tools where you practice freely without guided objectives. Sandboxes are perfect for:

• Practicing exploitation techniques before certifications
• Testing custom scripts and tools
• Experimenting with new attack vectors
• Building muscle memory with penetration testing tools

Certification Paths: CEH vs. OSCP vs. GPEN

Pluralsight courses prepare you for multiple offensive security certifications:

CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)

Focus: Broad ethical hacking knowledge across 20 domains Exam Format: 125 multiple-choice questions in 4 hours Prerequisites: None required (2 years security experience recommended) Cost: $1,199 exam fee Difficulty: Moderate (memorization-focused) Career Impact: Entry to mid-level penetration testing roles ($80K-120K)

Pluralsight Preparation:

• Ethical Hacking (CEH Prep 2025) by Troy Hunt (primary course)
• Supplement with hands-on labs covering all 20 domains
• Practice exams to verify readiness

CEH Pros: Recognized globally, comprehensive coverage, good for government/compliance roles CEH Cons: Expensive exam, theoretical rather than practical, multiple-choice format

OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)

Focus: Practical penetration testing skills Exam Format: 24-hour practical exam exploiting vulnerable systems Prerequisites: Strong Linux/networking knowledge, basic programming Cost: $1,499 (includes 90 days lab access and one exam attempt) Difficulty: Very challenging (40-50% pass rate) Career Impact: Mid to senior-level penetration testing roles ($100K-150K)

Pluralsight Foundation Courses:

• Penetration Testing: The Big Picture (methodology)
• Network Penetration Testing Using Python and Kali Linux (network exploitation)
• Web Application Penetration Testing Fundamentals (web exploitation)
• Linux Privilege Escalation for Ethical Hackers (post-exploitation)

OSCP Pros: Highly respected, practical hands-on exam, proves real exploitation skills OSCP Cons: Extremely challenging, expensive, requires significant time investment

Important Note: Pluralsight courses provide foundational knowledge for OSCP, but you MUST supplement with Offensive Security’s PWK course and extensive practice on platforms like Hack The Box and Proving Grounds.

GPEN (GIAC Penetration Tester)

Focus: Practical penetration testing methodology Exam Format: 115 questions in 3 hours, open-book Prerequisites: None (security experience recommended) Cost: $2,499 (includes two exam attempts) Difficulty: Challenging but fair Career Impact: Mid-level penetration testing roles ($90K-130K)

Pluralsight Preparation:

• Multiple Pluralsight courses cover GPEN topics
• Focus on reconnaissance, exploitation, and post-exploitation courses
• Practice in hands-on labs

GPEN Pros: Practical focus, open-book exam, comprehensive methodology GPEN Cons: Very expensive, less recognized than CEH or OSCP

Essential Tools You Will Master

Pluralsight’s ethical hacking courses teach you industry-standard penetration testing tools:

Reconnaissance Tools

• Nmap: Network scanning and service enumeration
• theHarvester: Email and subdomain gathering
• Shodan: Internet-connected device discovery
• Maltego: Visual link analysis and OSINT
• Recon-ng: Modular reconnaissance framework

Vulnerability Scanning

• Nessus: Comprehensive vulnerability scanner
• OpenVAS: Open-source vulnerability assessment
• Nikto: Web server vulnerability scanner
• WPScan: WordPress vulnerability scanner

Exploitation Frameworks

• Metasploit Framework: The most widely used exploitation platform
• ExploitDB: Exploit database and search tool
• BeEF: Browser exploitation framework
• Sqlmap: Automated SQL injection tool

Web Application Testing

• Burp Suite: The industry-standard web testing platform
• OWASP ZAP: Open-source web application scanner
• Gobuster: Directory and file brute-forcing
• Wfuzz: Web application fuzzer

Wireless Testing

• Aircrack-ng: Wi-Fi security auditing suite
• Reaver: WPS attack tool
• Wifite: Automated wireless attack tool
• Kismet: Wireless network detector and sniffer

Password Cracking

• Hashcat: GPU-accelerated password cracking
• John the Ripper: Traditional password cracker
• Hydra: Network authentication cracking
• CrackMapExec: Post-exploitation credential attacks

Post-Exploitation

• Meterpreter: Advanced payload and post-exploitation tool
• Mimikatz: Windows credential extraction
• PowerSploit: PowerShell post-exploitation framework
• LinEnum: Linux enumeration script

Scripting and Automation

• Python: Custom tool development and automation
• Bash: Shell scripting for Linux environments
• PowerShell: Windows automation and exploitation

How to Use Skill IQ for Cybersecurity Learning

Pluralsight’s Skill IQ assessments help you identify exactly where you stand with ethical hacking skills and which courses to take next.

Taking Cybersecurity Skill IQ Assessments

1. Choose a cybersecurity skill: Search for assessments in penetration testing, network security, web security, and ethical hacking
2. Take the adaptive test: Answer 15-20 questions that adjust difficulty based on your responses
3. Get your score: Receive a score from 0-300 placing you in one of five proficiency levels
4. Get course recommendations: Pluralsight suggests courses targeting your specific knowledge gaps

Available Cybersecurity Skill IQ Tests

• Ethical Hacking (general penetration testing knowledge)
• Network Security (network defense and attack)
• Web Application Security (OWASP Top 10 and web vulnerabilities)
• Penetration Testing (methodology and tools)
• Linux Security (Linux hardening and exploitation)
• Cryptography (encryption and cryptographic attacks)

Using Role IQ for Cybersecurity Careers

Role IQ assessments evaluate your readiness for specific cybersecurity job roles:

• Penetration Tester
• Security Analyst
• Cybersecurity Engineer
• Incident Responder

Role IQ tests multiple related skills (networking, exploitation, scripting, reconnaissance) and identifies your complete readiness for the role. This helps you understand which areas need work before applying for penetration testing positions.

Learning Path Recommendations by Experience Level

Complete Beginner (No Security Background)

Estimated Timeline: 12-18 months to job-ready

1. Web Security and the OWASP Top 10: The Big Picture (Troy Hunt) - 2 hours
2. Penetration Testing: The Big Picture (Daniel Lowrie) - 2 hours
3. Reconnaissance and Information Gathering for Ethical Hacking (Dale Meredith) - 5 hours
4. Web Application Penetration Testing Fundamentals (Mike Woolard) - 6 hours
5. Burp Suite: Getting Started (Mike Woolard) - 4 hours
6. Ethical Hacking (CEH Prep 2025) (Troy Hunt) - 23 hours
7. Practice extensively in Pluralsight labs - 100+ hours
8. Pursue CEH certification - 2-3 months exam prep

IT Professional Transitioning to Security

Estimated Timeline: 6-12 months to penetration testing role

1. Penetration Testing: The Big Picture (Daniel Lowrie) - 2 hours
2. Ethical Hacking (CEH Prep 2025) (Troy Hunt) - 23 hours
3. Network Penetration Testing Using Python and Kali Linux (Malcolm Shore) - 12 hours
4. Advanced Web Application Penetration Testing (Mike Woolard) - 8 hours
5. Linux Privilege Escalation for Ethical Hackers (Daniel Lowrie) - 5 hours
6. Exploitation with Metasploit Framework (Josh Wieder) - 7 hours
7. Practice in Pluralsight labs and Hack The Box - 150+ hours
8. Pursue CEH or begin OSCP preparation - 3-6 months

Security Professional Pursuing OSCP

Estimated Timeline: 6-12 months focused preparation

1. Network Penetration Testing Using Python and Kali Linux (Malcolm Shore) - 12 hours
2. Advanced Web Application Penetration Testing (Mike Woolard) - 8 hours
3. Linux Privilege Escalation for Ethical Hackers (Daniel Lowrie) - 5 hours
4. Exploitation with Metasploit Framework (Josh Wieder) - 7 hours
5. Supplement with Offensive Security PWK course - Required
6. Practice on Hack The Box, Proving Grounds, VulnHub - 300+ hours
7. Take OSCP exam - 24-hour practical exam

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Pluralsight courses enough to pass CEH certification?

Yes, Troy Hunt’s Ethical Hacking (CEH Prep 2025) course covers all 20 CEH exam domains comprehensively. Most learners who complete the full course and practice in hands-on labs report passing CEH on their first attempt. However, you should supplement with official EC-Council practice exams and review the CEH exam blueprint to verify coverage of all objectives. The CEH exam emphasizes memorization, so flashcards and practice tests significantly improve pass rates.

Can I learn ethical hacking on Pluralsight without prior experience?

Yes, but expect a 12-18 month learning journey. Start with Web Security and the OWASP Top 10: The Big Picture and Penetration Testing: The Big Picture to build foundational knowledge. You need basic networking understanding (TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP) and comfort with command-line interfaces. The Premium plan with hands-on labs is essential---watching videos without practicing will not develop practical penetration testing skills.

Do Pluralsight courses prepare you for OSCP?

Partially. Pluralsight courses provide foundational knowledge for OSCP, but OSCP requires Offensive Security’s PWK course and extensive hands-on practice. Use Pluralsight for building core skills in network exploitation, web application testing, and privilege escalation. Then supplement with PWK, Hack The Box, Proving Grounds, and VulnHub practice machines. OSCP is extremely challenging and requires 300+ hours of hands-on practice beyond Pluralsight courses.

Is the Premium plan worth it for ethical hacking courses?

Absolutely yes. Ethical hacking is a hands-on skill that cannot be learned from videos alone. The Premium plan ($449/year) includes cybersecurity labs where you exploit vulnerable systems, practice penetration testing methodology, and use industry-standard tools in safe environments. The $150 difference between Standard and Premium is justified by the labs alone---they are essential for developing real penetration testing capabilities.

How long does it take to become job-ready as a penetration tester?

For complete beginners: 12-18 months of dedicated study and practice to reach entry-level penetration testing roles. For IT professionals with networking/systems administration experience: 6-12 months. Expect to spend 15-20 hours per week studying courses, practicing in labs, and completing challenges on platforms like Hack The Box. Earning CEH certification accelerates job searches. OSCP certification opens mid to senior-level opportunities but requires 6-12 months of intensive preparation.

What certifications do employers value most for penetration testing?

OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) is the most respected penetration testing certification, proving hands-on exploitation skills through a 24-hour practical exam. CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) is widely recognized and required for some government/compliance positions, but less technical than OSCP. GPEN (GIAC Penetration Tester) is respected but very expensive. For beginners, start with CEH for industry recognition, then pursue OSCP if specializing in penetration testing.

Can I practice ethical hacking legally?

Yes, but only on systems you own or have explicit written permission to test. Pluralsight’s hands-on labs provide legal practice environments. Build a home lab with vulnerable virtual machines from VulnHub and Hack The Box. Join bug bounty platforms like HackerOne and Bugcrowd for legal testing opportunities on real companies (with permission). NEVER test systems without authorization---unauthorized access is illegal and can result in criminal charges.

Do I need programming skills for ethical hacking?

Basic scripting skills significantly improve effectiveness. Python is the most valuable language for penetration testers---it is used for automation, custom tools, and exploit modification. Bash scripting helps with Linux system automation. PowerShell is useful for Windows environments. You do not need to be a software engineer, but ability to read and modify scripts is essential. Pluralsight’s Network Penetration Testing Using Python and Kali Linux teaches Python in the context of ethical hacking.

Final Verdict: Best Platform for Learning Ethical Hacking

Pluralsight offers one of the most comprehensive ethical hacking learning paths available, combining high-quality video courses from expert instructors with essential hands-on labs. Troy Hunt’s CEH preparation course is among the best in the industry, and the breadth of courses covering reconnaissance, exploitation, web application security, wireless hacking, and post-exploitation provides complete penetration testing education.

The Premium plan ($449/year) is essential for ethical hacking learners. The hands-on cybersecurity labs where you exploit vulnerable systems using Kali Linux, Metasploit, and Burp Suite are irreplaceable. You cannot become a penetration tester by watching videos alone---you must practice exploitation in safe environments, and Pluralsight’s labs provide exactly that without legal risk or complex home lab setup.

Our recommendation: Start with the 10-day free trial to evaluate course quality. Take the Ethical Hacking Skill IQ assessment to identify your starting point. If you are pursuing CEH certification or building penetration testing skills for your career, invest in Premium for full access to labs. For complete beginners, expect 12-18 months of dedicated study to reach job-ready skills. For IT professionals transitioning to security, 6-12 months of focused effort can land your first penetration testing role.

The cybersecurity job market is exceptionally strong---penetration testers earn $90K to $150K depending on experience and location, and demand far exceeds supply. Pluralsight’s ethical hacking courses provide a structured path from complete beginner to CEH certification, making it one of the best investments you can make if you want to break into offensive security.

For OSCP preparation, use Pluralsight to build foundational knowledge, then supplement with Offensive Security’s PWK course and extensive practice on Hack The Box and Proving Grounds. OSCP is the gold standard penetration testing certification, but it requires more than any single platform can provide.

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