Entry-level

Introduction to Penetration Testing

Lessons available in 9 languages with native text-to-speech (beta)

This free Introduction to Penetration Testing taster course offers a beginner-friendly overview of ethical hacking and its role in cybersecurity. You'll learn what penetration testing is, its goals, and the different types and scopes of tests. The course also covers key legal and ethical considerations, how pentesting differs from vulnerability scanning, and real-world examples of its impact—all while helping you understand why gaining these skills is valuable for both personal growth and professional opportunities.

Skills you'll gain

Penetration Testing Lifecycle
Cyber Ethics
Scope Definition
Real‑World Insights
Security Assessment Goals

Introduction to Penetration Testing

This free Introduction to Penetration Testing taster course offers a beginner-friendly overview of ethical hacking and its role in cybersecurity. You'll learn what penetration testing is, its goals, and the different types and scopes of tests. The course also covers key legal and ethical considerations, how pentesting differs from vulnerability scanning, and real-world examples of its impact—all while helping you understand why gaining these skills is valuable for both personal growth and professional opportunities.

Recommended experience

Entry-level

Estimated time to complete

approximately 2 hours to complete

Training price

FREE

View Course Content

Penetration Testing Types & Scopes

6 topics

1 quiz

What you'll learn

An explanation of the various types of penetration tests (e.g., black box, white box) and how test scopes are defined.

Lessons

  • Penetration Testing - Types & Scopes

Skills you'll gain

Pentest Types
Black Box
White Box
Gray Box
Scope Definition
Engagement Planning

Legal & Ethical Considerations

Penetration Testing vs Vulnerability Scanning

Penetration Testing Final Thoughts