New OSCP and CTF Practice Training Offered
Ignite Technologies is now offering a new online OSCP+ and CTF exam practice training. The course is designed for certification preparation and covers hands-on topics including enumeration, privilege escalation, and Active Directory attacks. The curriculum also includes instruction on writing professional penetration testing reports.
- The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) is a highly-regarded certification that requires a 24-hour, hands-on exam where candidates must compromise a series of target machines. As of November 1, 2024, the exam has an increased emphasis on Active Directory (AD) environments, reflecting its prominence in real-world corporate networks. - While there are no formal prerequisites, candidates are expected to have a solid understanding of TCP/IP networking, Windows and Linux administration, and basic scripting with Bash and Python before attempting the OSCP. - The updated OSCP exam starts with an "assumed compromise" model where candidates begin with a standard user account in an Active Directory domain and must work to achieve a full domain compromise, allowing for partial credit along the way. - Building a personal home lab is a common and cost-effective way to prepare for hands-on certifications. This typically involves using virtualization software like VirtualBox or VMware on a computer with at least 16GB of RAM to run an attacker machine (like Kali Linux) and intentionally vulnerable target virtual machines (like Metasploitable or DVWA). - Capture The Flag (CTF) challenges often feature common web vulnerabilities that are crucial to master, such as SQL injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), command injection, and directory traversal. Platforms like HackTheBox and TryHackMe provide environments to practice these skills, with TryHackMe being more guided for beginners and HackTheBox offering more realistic, unguided challenges for intermediate users. - Employers hiring for junior penetration testing roles in 2026 look for practical skills with tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, and Nmap, along with expertise in operating systems and network protocols. - The average salary for a professional holding an OSCP certification is approximately $119,895 per year, demonstrating a significant potential return on the investment in training and exam fees. - The new OSCP+ designation was introduced for those who pass the updated exam format, signifying a commitment to staying current with evolving industry standards. Existing OSCP holders can take the new exam at a reduced rate to earn the "+" designation.
