πŸ”΄ eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester (eJPT)

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🧠 1. Certification Name and Issuing Body

  • Full name: eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester (eJPT)

  • Issuing organization: eLearnSecurity (now part of INE – Internetwork Defense)

  • Reputation and global recognition: The eJPT is widely recognized as a solid entry-level penetration testing certification, valued for its hands-on practical exam and respected especially in the cybersecurity community for beginners.

πŸ“š 2. Curriculum and Skills Covered

  • Covered domains:

    • Networking fundamentals

    • Information gathering

    • Vulnerability assessment

    • Web application attacks (basic level)

    • System exploitation (Windows/Linux basics)

    • Post-exploitation and pivoting

  • Depth of content: Strongly hands-on with fundamental theory included; focuses on applying knowledge in practical scenarios.

  • Technologies and tools included:

    • Nmap

    • Wireshark

    • Metasploit Framework

    • Burp Suite

    • Hydra

    • Basic Linux and Windows command-line tools

  • Relevance in the current job market: Highly relevant for entry-level roles in cybersecurity, especially in penetration testing and vulnerability assessment.

  • Mapping to frameworks:

    • MITRE ATT&CK (Initial Access, Execution, Persistence basics)

    • NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (PRT – Penetration Testing)

🧩 3. Prerequisites and Recommended Level

  • Prior certifications or experience required: None formally required.

  • Expected skill level: Beginner to early intermediate.

  • Required knowledge:

    • Basic understanding of TCP/IP networking

    • Familiarity with Linux and Windows environments

    • Basic cybersecurity concepts

    • Command-line usage knowledge is recommended

πŸ’΅ 4. Cost

  • Total cost: Approximately $249 USD for the training bundle that includes the exam voucher.

  • Study materials or lab access included: Yes. Purchasing the eJPT course (PEN-100 – Essential Penetration Testing) includes study materials, labs, and the exam voucher.

  • Discounts, scholarships, or regional pricing: Occasionally discounts are offered through promotions. No formal regional pricing known.

⏳ 5. Estimated Preparation Time

  • Recommended study hours: Roughly 60 to 100 hours, depending on background.

  • Self-paced or instructor-led: Self-paced.

  • Learning modes:

    • Primarily self-study with access to online labs.

    • Some community-led study groups available informally.

🎯 6. Target Roles and Career Path

  • Job roles:

    • Junior Penetration Tester

    • Vulnerability Assessor

    • Security Analyst (Entry-level)

    • SOC Tier 1 Analyst

  • Career goals: Perfect starting point for a career in ethical hacking or red teaming.

  • Technical or managerial: Technical.

πŸ§ͺ 7. Exam Format and Difficulty

  • Online or in-person: Online, fully remote.

  • Theoretical, hands-on, or both: Fully hands-on practical exam.

  • Proctored exam or testing center: Unproctored; honor-based system.

  • Real-world labs or simulations: Yes, candidates must hack into a real lab network environment to complete objectives.

  • Length and number of questions: 20 multi-choice questions tied to practical tasks; you need to explore the environment to find answers.

  • Difficulty level or average pass rate: Moderate for newcomers; generally higher pass rate compared to certifications like OSCP.

πŸ“œ 8. Validity and Renewal

  • Expiration: No expiration. Lifetime certification.

  • Renewal process: Not applicable. Once certified, it is valid indefinitely.

🧰 9. Study Resources Available

  • Official documentation:

    • PEN-100 course materials from INE platform.

  • Recommended books:

    • Β«The Web Application Hacker’s HandbookΒ» (for additional web knowledge)

    • Β«The Basics of Hacking and Penetration TestingΒ» by Patrick Engebretson

  • Online labs or platforms:

    • INE Cyber Security Labs (included)

    • TryHackMe (Beginner-friendly rooms)

    • Hack The Box (starting level machines)

  • YouTube channels, community guides:

    • NetworkChuck

    • The Cyber Mentor

    • TCM Security’s free YouTube content

  • Online communities:

    • INE Cyber Security Community

    • r/HowToHack (Reddit)

    • Discord groups related to cybersecurity learning

πŸ’Ό 10. Industry Value and Demand

  • Mentioned in job postings: Yes, often listed for junior pentesting roles.

  • Boosts profile with recruiters: Yes, particularly for entry-level cybersecurity positions.

  • Recognized by top companies or certain countries: Valued mainly within the cybersecurity community worldwide, especially in the US, UK, and EU markets.

  • Average salary for certified professionals:

    • Entry-level cybersecurity roles typically range from $55,000 to $75,000 USD annually depending on region and position.

🧭 11. Related Certifications and Progression

  • Part of a larger learning path: Yes, a stepping stone to more advanced certifications like:

    • eLearnSecurity Certified Professional Penetration Tester (eCPPT)

    • Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

  • Next steps after completing it:

    • eCPPTv2 (Professional level)

    • OSCP (Advanced penetration testing)

  • Comparison or complement: Complements well with CompTIA Security+ or CompTIA Pentest+ for broadening fundamental cybersecurity knowledge.