Entry Point
Foundational Layer
“You cannot break into a network if you don't know how it talks. Period.”
Tools & Stack
Core Skills
- Networking — TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, subnetting
- OS fundamentals — Windows & Linux
- Security concepts — CIA triad, common threats
- Scripting basics — Python or Bash
Certifications
Junior Network Pentester
First Scans, First Reports
“This stage is about moving from 'breaking things for fun' to 'finding things for a living.'”
Tools & Stack
Core Skills
- Host Discovery & Enumeration
- Automated Scanning (Nessus/OpenVAS)
- Report Writing & Documentation
- Basic Exploitation of Legacy Services
Certifications
Recommended
Alternatives
Advanced Network Pentester
Active Directory & Lateral Movement
“In a modern company, owning one server is rarely the goal. The goal is the Domain Controller.”
Tools & Stack
Core Skills
- Advanced AD Exploitation (Kerberoasting, GPO)
- Lateral Movement & Pivoting
- EDR & AV Evasion Basics
- Path of least resistance analysis
Certifications
Senior Red Team Operator
Adversary Simulation & EDR Evasion
“You aren't running a 'test' anymore. You are emulating a nation-state actor.”
Tools & Stack
Core Skills
- Custom Payload Development
- C2 Infrastructure Management
- TTP Mapping (MITRE ATT&CK)
- Adversary Simulation Tradecraft
Certifications
Recommended
Alternatives
Principal Security Researcher
Zero-Days & Exploit Dev
“You spend your days in Ghidra or IDA Pro, reverse-engineering binary code.”
Tools & Stack
Core Skills
- Zero-Day Research (CVE discovery)
- Kernel Exploitation
- Advanced Fuzzing & Crash Analysis
- Binary Reverse Engineering
Certifications
Recommended
Alternatives
Begin
Next Actions
Kickstart your network security career.
Start in a Lab Today
Build a Portfolio
- Write HTB / THM writeups as professional pentest reports
- Document AD attack paths with BloodHound screenshots
- GitHub: Nmap scripts, automation, and custom toolsets