Comprehensive Penetration Testing Course Outline
Module 1: Introduction to Penetration Testing
- Introduction to cybersecurity and penetration testing
- Legal and ethical considerations in penetration testing
- Types of hackers and attacker profiles
- Phases of a penetration test
- Setting up a penetration testing lab
Module 2: Information Gathering and Reconnaissance
- Passive information gathering (OSINT)
- Active information gathering (footprinting, scanning)
- Network discovery and mapping
- Vulnerability assessment and identification
Module 3: Scanning and Enumeration
- Port scanning techniques (TCP, UDP)
- Service identification
- Banner grabbing
- Network mapping and enumeration
Module 4: Vulnerability Analysis and Exploitation
- Common vulnerabilities and exposure (CVE) databases
- Exploitation techniques
- Metasploit framework
- Buffer overflows and exploitation
Module 5: Password Attacks
- Password cracking techniques
- Password policy assessment
- Brute-force and dictionary attacks
- Hash cracking
Module 6: Web Application Penetration Testing
- Web application architecture and technologies
- OWASP Top Ten vulnerabilities
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and other common web exploits
- Web application scanning and assessment tools
Module 7: Wireless Network Penetration Testing
- Wireless network security fundamentals
- Types of wireless security (WEP, WPA, WPA2)
- Wireless network scanning and attacks
- Securing wireless networks
Module 8: Mobile Application Penetration Testing
- Mobile application security fundamentals
- Mobile application assessment tools
- Reverse engineering mobile apps
- Data leakage and insecure data storage in mobile apps
Module 9: Post-Exploitation and Privilege Escalation
- Maintaining access and persistence
- Privilege escalation techniques
- Pivoting and lateral movement
- Evading detection and forensic analysis
Module 10: Network Exploitation and Post-Exploitation
- Exploiting network services (SSH, RDP, SMB, etc.)
- Data exfiltration techniques
- Cracking encrypted data
- Covering tracks and erasing evidence
Module 11: Report Writing and Documentation
- Writing clear and comprehensive penetration testing reports
- Communicating findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Recommendations for remediation and mitigation
Module 12: Advanced Topics and Emerging Threats
- IoT security and testing
- Cloud security considerations
- Red teaming and advanced persistent threats (APTs)
- Current and emerging threats in the cybersecurity landscape
Module 13: Legal and Ethical Aspects of Penetration Testing
- Laws and regulations related to penetration testing
- Obtaining proper authorization
- Reporting legal and ethical issues during testing
Module 14: Capstone Project and Simulation
- A hands-on penetration testing project to simulate a real-world assessment
- Demonstration of skills acquired during the course
Module 15: Exam Preparation and Review
- Review of key concepts and skills
- Practice exams and quizzes
- Preparation for relevant certification exams (e.g. CEH, OSCP)
This course outline provides a structured approach to penetration testing training, covering fundamental principles, practical hands-on exercises, and advanced techniques. It’s important to adapt the curriculum to the specific needs of the participants and the depth of coverage desired. Additionally, practical labs and simulations should be an integral part of the training to reinforce theoretical knowledge with practical skills.