14 Best Penetration Testing Courses For Upskilling In 2025

Here are some of the best penetration testing courses for chief technology officers to learn about new technology, strategies, and philosophies about the way we work.

Best Penetration Testing Courses Shortlist

Here's a shortlist of the best penetration testing courses I think are worth your time in 2025:

1. Penetration Testing Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning)
2. C | PENT: Certified Penetration Testing Professional (EC-Council)
3. PEN-200: Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (OffSec)
4. SEC560: Enterprise Penetration Testing (SANS Institute)
5. Advanced Penetration Testing Course & Pen Testing Training (Cybrary)
6. Penetration Testing Training Boot Camp (Infosec Institute)
7. API Pentesting for CEH (Alison)
8. Penetration Testing Course (Virtual Hacking Labs)
9. Penetration Testing: Network Security (INE)
10. The Complete Penetration Testing Course: Beginner To Expert (StackSkills)
11. Applied Penetration Testing Fundamentals (La Trobe University)
12. Automation & Penetration Testing (The Knowledge Academy)
13. HTB Certified Penetration Testing Specialist (Hack The Box)
14. Advanced Penetration Testing Course in Kochi (RedTeam Kochi)

Find more details about each course below.

Overview of the Best Penetration Testing Courses

1. Penetration Testing Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning)

This course provides practical guidance on simulating real-world cyberattacks to assess the strength of security systems. This online course focuses on building hands-on skills to uncover potential risks and safeguard critical infrastructure. Learners explore tools and methodologies to enhance their ability to protect networks and applications.

• Who It’s For: IT security professionals, ethical hackers, and network administrators
• Topics Covered:
  • Penetration testing
  • Ethical hacking basics
  • Exploitation tools
  • Network security
  • Vulnerability analysis
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 2 and 55 minutes
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Take The Course: LinkedIn Learning

2. C | PENT: Certified Penetration Testing Professional (EC-Council)

This advanced course focuses on developing expert-level penetration testing skills by immersing participants in complex, real-world scenarios. It provides a hands-on learning environment to test networks, applications, and systems against various cyber threats. The training emphasizes critical thinking and advanced strategies for identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities.

• Who It’s For: Experienced cybersecurity professionals, penetration testers, and ethical hackers
• Topics Covered:
  • Advanced network testing
  • Web application attacks
  • Exploit development
  • Bypassing defenses
  • Post-exploitation
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 40 hours + 24-hour exam
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Take The Course: EC-Council

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3. PEN-200: Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (OffSec)

This course immerses participants in a practical learning environment to develop foundational penetration testing skills. It emphasizes real-world problem-solving, guiding learners through simulated cyberattacks to identify and address security weaknesses. Participants gain experience in critical thinking and methodology-driven testing techniques.

• Who It’s For: Aspiring penetration testers, IT security professionals, and ethical hackers
• Topics Covered:
  • Information gathering
  • Vulnerability identification
  • Exploit creation
  • Network security testing
  • Privilege escalation
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? No
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Price: $1,649
• Take The Course: OffSec

4. SEC560: Enterprise Penetration Testing (SANS Institute)

This SANS Institute course equips participants with advanced techniques for planning and executing comprehensive penetration tests in large-scale environments. It provides hands-on labs to simulate enterprise-level challenges and focuses on enhancing strategic problem-solving skills. Learners gain expertise in identifying systemic vulnerabilities and delivering actionable remediation strategies.

• Who It’s For: Experienced penetration testers, security consultants, and enterprise IT teams
• Topics Covered:
  • Test planning
  • Target reconnaissance
  • Network exploitation
  • Web application attacks
  • Post-test reporting
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Both
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 6 days
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Price: $8,780 + GPEN Certification $999
• Take The Course: SANS Institute

5. Advanced Penetration Testing Course & Pen Testing Training (Cybrary)

This course provides advanced-level training to perform highly complex penetration testing tasks and address sophisticated security threats. Participants are introduced to advanced tactics for breaching systems and uncovering hidden vulnerabilities. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on application to reinforce critical skills for tackling challenging environments.

• Who It’s For: Seasoned cybersecurity professionals and penetration testers
• Topics Covered:
  • Advanced exploitation
  • Covert techniques
  • Privilege escalation
  • Custom payloads
  • Post-exploitation tactics
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 14 hours and 26 minutes
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Price: Free (limited-time offer)
• Take The Course: Cybrary

6. Penetration Testing Training Boot Camp (Infosec Institute)

This intensive boot camp delivers a hands-on learning experience to build end-to-end penetration testing expertise. It combines practical exercises with real-world simulations to strengthen skills in identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities. The course prepares learners to tackle both technical challenges and operational aspects of penetration testing projects.

• Who It’s For: Cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers, and IT security teams
• Topics Covered:
  • Exploitation techniques
  • Network security testing
  • Vulnerability assessments
  • Social engineering
  • Post-test reporting
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Both
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 5 days
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Take The Course: Infosec Institute

7. API Pentesting for CEH (Alison)

This course focuses on building practical skills to secure APIs against modern threats and vulnerabilities. It offers learners the tools to analyze API architecture, identify weaknesses, and implement robust protective measures. Combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on tasks strengthens capabilities for real-world API penetration testing.

• Who It’s For: Ethical hackers, API developers, and cybersecurity professionals
• Topics Covered:
  • API architecture
  • Security flaws
  • Testing methodologies
  • Vulnerability mitigation
  • Ethical hacking practices
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 3 to 4 hours
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Price: Free
• Take The Course: Alison

8. Penetration Testing Course (Virtual Hacking Labs)

This course offers a practical, lab-based environment to develop penetration testing skills. Participants work through realistic attack scenarios to strengthen their abilities in identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities. The program emphasizes hands-on experience to build a deep understanding of penetration testing techniques.

• Who It’s For: Aspiring penetration testers, ethical hackers, and cybersecurity students
• Topics Covered:
  • System vulnerabilities
  • Exploitation techniques
  • Privilege escalation
  • Web app testing
  • Post-exploitation
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? No
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Take The Course: Virtual Hacking Labs

9. Penetration Testing: Network Security (INE)

This course focuses on developing a comprehensive understanding of network security through practical penetration testing. Learners work in a simulated environment to practice identifying and mitigating risks in network infrastructures. The program emphasizes hands-on skills to enhance expertise in detecting and exploiting vulnerabilities.

• Who It’s For: IT security analysts, network engineers, and aspiring penetration testers
• Topics Covered:
  • Network enumeration
  • Exploitation tactics
  • Access control testing
  • Packet analysis
  • Post-compromise actions
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 32 hours and 14 minutes
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Take The Course: INE

10. The Complete Penetration Testing Course: Beginner To Expert (StackSkills)

This course provides a structured learning path to master penetration testing, starting from foundational concepts and progressing to advanced techniques. It focuses on building practical skills through detailed exercises and real-world examples. Participants gain the knowledge needed to perform professional-level security assessments.

• Who It’s For: Beginners in cybersecurity, aspiring penetration testers, and ethical hackers
• Topics Covered:
  • Security fundamentals
  • Network vulnerabilities
  • Exploitation techniques
  • Post-exploitation steps
  • Report creation
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: Over 10 hours
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Price: $199
• Take The Course: StackSkills

11. Applied Penetration Testing Fundamentals (La Trobe University)

This course introduces learners to essential penetration testing methodologies through a hands-on approach. Participants engage in realistic scenarios to practice identifying weaknesses and securing systems. The program builds foundational skills for analyzing and mitigating security risks in various environments.

• Who It’s For: Students, IT professionals, and beginners in cybersecurity
• Topics Covered:
  • Risk analysis
  • Threat identification
  • System vulnerabilities
  • Security protocols
  • Penetration testing tools
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? Yes
• Duration: 4 weeks
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: Self-paced
• Eligibility Requirements: Prior knowledge of Penetration Testing Fundamentals
• Price: $1,700
• Take The Course: La Trobe University

12. Automation & Penetration Testing (The Knowledge Academy)

This course combines automation principles with penetration testing to enhance efficiency and accuracy in identifying security vulnerabilities.

It provides hands-on learning to configure and automate tools for comprehensive security assessments. Participants gain practical skills for streamlining testing processes while maintaining high-quality results.

• Who It’s For: Cybersecurity engineers, penetration testers, and IT security analysts
• Topics Covered:
  • Automation tools
  • Testing workflows
  • Vulnerability scans
  • Exploit automation
  • Report generation
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? No
• Duration:
  • Online instructor-led: 2 days
  • Online self-paced: 16 hours
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Take The Course: The Knowledge Academy

13. HTB Certified Penetration Testing Specialist (Hack The Box)

This certification course provides an immersive environment for learning advanced penetration testing techniques through practical labs. Participants engage in hands-on scenarios that simulate real-world challenges to refine their offensive security skills.

The course prepares learners to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in complex infrastructures effectively.

• Who It’s For: Experienced cybersecurity professionals, penetration testers, and ethical hackers
• Topics Covered:
  • Advanced reconnaissance
  • Exploitation methods
  • Privilege escalation
  • Active directory attacks
  • Post-exploitation techniques
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Online
• Exam Required? No
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Take The Course: Hack The Box

14. Advanced Penetration Testing Course in Kochi (RedTeam Kochi)

This course delivers an immersive experience to master advanced penetration testing techniques through practical labs. Participants learn to tackle complex challenges by simulating real-world scenarios to identify and exploit critical vulnerabilities. The training focuses on sharpening skills for securing enterprise-level infrastructures.

• Who It’s For: Experienced ethical hackers, security analysts, and IT professionals
• Topics Covered:
  • Advanced exploit techniques
  • Network defense bypassing
  • Application security testing
  • Active Directory attacks
  • Post-compromise methods
• Online, In-Person, or Both? Both
• Exam Required? No
• Duration: 80 hours
• How Many Hours Of Instruction: 10 hours per week
• Eligibility Requirements: None
• Take The Course: RedTeam Kochi

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