This article, based on insights from Corey Ham, head of the BHIS ANTISOC Team, provides practical advice for aspiring penetration testers. It challenges the conventional wisdom that starting in a blue team role is the best path to offensive security, arguing instead that direct focus on pentesting skills is more effective. The core distinction between red and blue teamers is highlighted: blue teamers are subject-matter experts in organizational tools, while red teamers excel at learning on the fly and adapting with custom or new tools.
Corey proposes a clear progression path: foundational IT knowledge, followed by Capture the Flag (CTF) exercises, then engaging in bug bounties, ultimately leading to pentesting. He emphasizes that hands-on experience, diligent documentation, and professional report writing—especially with detailed screenshots—are paramount for success, often outweighing the value of many traditional certifications. While certifications like OSCP hold some weight, real-world engagement performance and achievements in cyber ranges are considered the gold standard.
Ultimately, the article's key takeaway is to pursue one's passion directly, focusing on acquiring the specific day-to-day skills required for a pentesting role. It encourages aspiring pentesters to build proficiency in their desired field rather than taking detours into adjacent roles that might develop different skill sets, even if those detours seem to offer quicker job placement.
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