Introduction
The cybersecurity landscape offers several certifications for professionals aiming to validate their penetration testing skills. Among the most prominent are the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) and the Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT). Both certifications assess penetration testing skills, but they differ significantly in terms of difficulty level, exam structure, career opportunities, salaries, and recognition.
This article will provide a detailed comparison of the two certifications to help aspiring cybersecurity professionals make an informed choice.
Difficulty Level
OSCP
- Overview: The OSCP is widely regarded as one of the most challenging penetration testing certifications. It requires candidates to exploit multiple machines in a simulated environment and submit a comprehensive report within 24 hours.
- Learning Curve: The exam emphasizes hands-on skills, requiring a deep understanding of exploitation techniques, enumeration, and privilege escalation. While the course materials are comprehensive, the certification demands rigorous preparation and often self-learning beyond the syllabus.
- Preparation Time: Many candidates report studying for 3-6 months, depending on their prior experience.
PNPT
- Overview: Offered by TCM Security, the PNPT certification is tailored for individuals aiming to specialize in network penetration testing for both internal and external departments. It emphasizes industry standards and imparts advanced knowledge in web application security and open-source intelligence.
- Learning Curve: PNPT is considered less technically intensive than OSCP, focusing more on a complete penetration testing workflow, including reconnaissance, post-exploitation, and effective communication of findings.
- Preparation Time: Preparation for the PNPT typically takes 2-4 months for individuals with some networking and penetration testing experience.
Verdict: OSCP is generally considered more technically demanding, while PNPT places a stronger emphasis on practical application and communication skills.
Exam Structure and Length
OSCP
- Exam Length: 24 hours to complete the practical exam, followed by 24 hours to submit the report (total: 48 hours).
- Structure: The exam involves compromising a set number of machines in a controlled environment. Points are allocated based on the difficulty of the machines and the tasks completed.
- Focus: Heavy emphasis on technical skills, including manual exploitation and privilege escalation.
- Passing Criteria: 70 out of 100 points.
PNPT
- Exam Length: 5 days to complete the practical portion, followed by 2 days to submit the report (total: 7 days).
- Passing Criteria: 35.44%.
- Structure: The exam requires candidates to simulate an end-to-end penetration test, including reconnaissance, exploitation, lateral movement, and presenting results.
- Focus: Combines technical penetration testing skills with business-oriented tasks, such as writing a professional report for a simulated client.
Verdict: PNPT offers a longer exam window, giving candidates more flexibility to simulate real-world workflows, whereas OSCP’s condensed format tests endurance under pressure.
Course Content
OSCP
- Modules Covered: OSCP follows a structured path covering areas such as enumeration, exploitation, privilege escalation, web application attacks, buffer overflow, and client-side attacks.
- Training Material: The OSCP’s PWK (Penetration Testing with Kali Linux) course offers extensive lab access, a structured syllabus, and a wealth of training materials aimed at building an attacker mindset.
- Skill Emphasis: OSCP emphasizes deep technical skills in exploitation, pivoting, and persistence. The course teaches you to be comfortable with various real-world scenarios, instilling the mindset of “try harder.”
PNTP
The PNPT certification offers a comprehensive curriculum encompassing five key modules:
Practical Ethical Hacking: A thorough exploration of hacking techniques.
Windows Privilege Escalation: In-depth strategies for exploiting vulnerabilities in Windows operating systems.
Linux Privilege Escalation: Techniques for identifying and exploiting weaknesses in Linux systems.
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) Fundamentals: Methods for gathering publicly available data for research purposes
.External Pentest Playbook: Guidance on conducting real-world penetration testing simulations.
Career Opportunities
OSCP
- Demand: OSCP is a gold standard in the industry and is highly valued by employers for penetration testing, red teaming, and offensive security roles.
- Recognition: The certification’s technical rigor has made it a sought-after credential for jobs requiring advanced exploitation skills.
- Typical Roles: Penetration Tester, Red Team Member, Offensive Security Specialist.
PNPT
- Demand: PNPT is gaining traction due to its emphasis on practical, real-world skills, appealing to organizations looking for consultants with client-oriented expertise.
- Recognition: While not as universally recognized as OSCP, PNPT is respected for validating comprehensive penetration testing workflows.
- Typical Roles: Penetration Tester, Security Consultant, Vulnerability Analyst.
Verdict: OSCP has broader recognition, but PNPT’s focus on practical skills positions it as a competitive alternative, especially in consulting environments.
Salaries
- OSCP Holders:
- Average Salary: $90,000 to $130,000 annually, depending on location, experience, and additional certifications.
- Upskilling Impact: OSCP often leads to higher-paying roles, especially in red teaming and advanced penetration testing.
- PNPT Holders:
- Average Salary: $80,000 to $120,000 annually.
- Upskilling Impact: PNPT certifications demonstrate a strong foundation, especially for roles requiring client-facing skills, which can positively influence salary growth.
Verdict: OSCP holders tend to command slightly higher salaries due to the certification’s prestige, but PNPT salaries are competitive and growing as its recognition increases.
Recognition
OSCP
- Global Recognition: OSCP has long been considered a benchmark for penetration testing expertise.
- Perception: Employers often view OSCP as proof of advanced technical skills and problem-solving capabilities.
- Longevity: It has been a standard in the industry for over a decade.
PNPT
- Emerging Recognition: PNPT is relatively newer but is quickly gaining respect due to its practical approach and alignment with real-world penetration testing workflows.
- Perception: It is valued for its holistic coverage of technical and business aspects, particularly in consulting and client-oriented roles.
Verdict: OSCP is more universally recognized, but PNPT’s reputation is growing rapidly, especially among organizations emphasizing practical skills.
Conclusion
Both the OSCP and PNPT certifications cater to different professional goals and skill sets:
- Choose OSCP if you are looking to establish yourself as a technical expert in penetration testing and offensive security. Its recognition and prestige make it ideal for those aiming for advanced roles. Prior experience or holding a more beginner level cert such as pentest+ may help you pass the exam.
- Choose PNPT : Ideal for beginners aiming to start a career in network vulnerability assessment through penetration testing.
So at the end, it’s recommended to start with PNPT if you are new in the penetration testing field. Once you acqurie practical skills in real-world scenarios, you can then move on and pursue OSCP to expand your technical knowledge.
