⚔️ 2 - Advanced Offensive Security Certifications (Ethical Hacking & Pentesting)
Introduction:
Offensive Security is the discipline of ethically attacking systems to uncover and fix vulnerabilities before malicious hackers do. These advanced certifications are ideal for cybersecurity professionals aiming to specialize in penetration testing, red teaming, and advanced exploit development. They cover real-world attack simulations, code-level exploitation, and stealth operations against hardened environments.
Advanced Offensive Security Certifications
These are the most prestigious and technically demanding credentials in offensive security:
⚔️ OSCP – Offensive Security Certified Professional
⚔️ OSCE3 – Offensive Security Certified Expert 3 (includes AWAE, OSEP, OSED)
⚔️ OSEP – Offensive Security Experienced Penetration Tester
⚔️ OSED – Offensive Security Exploit Developer
⚔️ OSWE – Offensive Security Web Expert
⚔️ CRTP – Certified Red Team Professional
⚔️ CRTE – Certified Red Team Expert
⚔️ CRTO – Certified Red Team Operator (SpecterOps)
⚔️ GXPN – GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester
⚔️ GPXN – GIAC Python Coder for Pen Testers
⚔️ LPT (Master) – Licensed Penetration Tester (EC-Council)
⚔️ CMSP – Certified Mobile Security Professional
These certifications are highly regarded in the industry and validate skills in red teaming, advanced evasion techniques, web and binary exploitation, and offensive scripting.
| ⚔️ Certification | Provider | Modality | Duration | Price (USD) | Official Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSCP – Offensive Security Certified Professional | OffSec | Online + Exam | 3–6 months | $1599+ | Visit |
| OSCE3 – Offensive Security Certified Expert 3 (includes AWAE, OSEP, OSED) |
OffSec | Online + Exams | Varies | $5499+ | Visit |
| OSEP – Offensive Security Experienced Penetration Tester | OffSec | Online + Lab | 2–3 months | $1649+ | Visit |
| OSED – Offensive Security Exploit Developer | OffSec | Online | 2–4 months | $1649+ | Visit |
| OSWE – Offensive Security Web Expert | OffSec | Online | 2–4 months | $1649+ | Visit |
| CRTP – Certified Red Team Professional | PentesterAcademy | Online + Lab | 1–2 months | $299 | Visit |
| CRTE – Certified Red Team Expert | PentesterAcademy | Online + Lab | 2–3 months | $499 | Visit |
| CRTO – Certified Red Team Operator | SpecterOps | Online | ~60 hours | $599 | Visit |
| GXPN – GIAC Exploit Researcher and Advanced Penetration Tester | GIAC / SANS | Online or in-person | 5 days + study | $8499 | Visit |
| GPXN – GIAC Python Coder for Pen Testers | GIAC | Online | Self-paced | $899 | Visit |
| LPT (Master) – Licensed Penetration Tester | EC-Council | Proctored Exam | Varies | $899+ | Visit |
| CMSP – Certified Mobile Security Professional | Practical Networking | Online | Varies | $500+ | TBD |