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Image of career: Cyber Security Penetration Tester

Cyber Security Penetration Tester

Overview

Cybersecurity penetration tester (or "ethical hacker") are the one companies want breaking into their systems. They find the weak spots before others do and fix them.

Description

  • Test computers, networks, and apps to find weak spots.
  • Come up with creative ways to spot problems.
  • Check how safe systems and servers are and figure out what needs better protection. Figure out how hackers might try to break into systems so you can fix them first.
  • Work with IT teams and clients to research security issues and share your findings.

Entry requirements

  • You'll need at least a Diploma in Infocomm or a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Security.
  • Pro tip: Getting the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification is highly recommended since it gives you extensive knowledge in computer hacking techniques.

Salary

$5,500 – 7,000

/mo

Salary ranges are estimated based on public information found on Singaporean job portals, including MyCareersFuture, MySkillsFuture. Updated as of 2026.

Trivia

Cyber security penetration testers work normal office hours. However, testing is often done at night to avoid interrupting the company's daily work. They also need good time management skills to balance testing, research, writing reports and presenting findings to clients.

What to expect

You'll spend lots of time researching and writing reports to stay updated with the latest security systems and their weak spots.

Soft
skills

Interpersonal Skills

Ability to explain technical concepts and work well with teammates.

Innovative Security Research

Ability to use research and creativity to test and secure systems against emerging cyber threats.

Attention to Detail

Able to be thorough when testing systems and writing reports.

Knowledge of vulnerabilities and exploits

Knowledge of the latest security threats and hacking methods.

Ability to script and write code

Familiarity with coding languages like Python, Bash, and PowerShell.

Knowledge of Networks

Understanding of how networks are set up and how data moves through them.

Hard
skills

Krishna, Cyber Security Penetration Tester
"We look for vulnerabilities in systems in the company's network and try to find its weak spots."

Krishna, Cyber Security Penetration Tester

National Youth Council

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the industry is full of people who have different skillsets and ideas on how to find system weaknesses. You will need lots of programming and hacking knowledge. Join bug bounty competitions and hackathons to boost your skills and work with other talented coders.

Cyber security analysts handle data, monitor network traffic, detect malware, and run live security operations. Penetration testers try to ethically hack into company systems to test and find flaws so they can be fixed.

It depends on the specific job, but common languages include C++, PowerShell, and JavaScript.

They use tools like NMAP to find network devices, discover open ports, and gather system information. Wireshark is another key tool that captures and analyses network traffic.

One method is vulnerability assessments where they identify weak spots and misalignment in systems. Then they try to attack these weak spots to see how serious the security problems are.