Course · NCPT
NSD Certified Penetration Tester
The complete penetration-testing lifecycle, with AI built in.
A course by the Cybersecurity & AI Initiative, an ISAC Foundation centre.
- Length
- 66 hours
- Format
- Self-paced e-learning or live instructor-led sessions, with live ask-me-anything sessions
- Certification
- NSD certification at Cadet level (theory examination); two attempts to pass
- Before you start
- NCBIS recommended
About the course
A professional vulnerability-management and security-assessment programme covering the whole penetration-testing lifecycle (planning, reconnaissance, scanning, vulnerability assessment, testing, analysis and reporting), with a dedicated deep dive on AI in penetration testing.
What you become
An NSD Cadet-level penetration tester who can run an authorised engagement from scope to report.
Who it is for
- Students and beginners
- IT professionals
- Developers
- Security enthusiasts
- Cybersecurity professionals
- Forensic investigators
Curriculum
Introduction and lab methodology
Legal, ethical and professional framework
authorisation, scope, rules of engagement
Penetration-testing methodologies and standards
Lab environment setup
Networking and Linux fundamentals refresher
Reconnaissance and OSINT
Scanning and enumeration
Vulnerability assessment
Web application penetration testing
Network and infrastructure exploitation
Wireless penetration testing
Post-exploitation and privilege escalation
Social engineering
theory and defensive awareness
Reporting and client communication
AI in penetration testing
AI-assisted reconnaissance, analysis, testing and reporting; responsible AI
Capstone labs
a full engagement simulation
Certification pathways and continued learning
What is included
- 60 days of Cyberange virtual labs: penetration testing, social engineering, malware, forensics, password cracking
- 60 days of LMS access
Enrol
Send an enquiry to the Cybersecurity & AI Initiative from this page.