How to Become a Penetration Tester (Ethical Hacker) in 2025

Looking to become a penetration tester (ethical hacker) in 2025? This video provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap to guide you from zero experience to landing your first penetration testing job. Learn about essential skills, certifications like OSCP and Pentest+, hands-on practice with TryHackMe and HackTheBox, and the importance of networking on LinkedIn. Whether you’re starting out or transitioning into cybersecurity, this guide is packed with actionable advice to help you break into ethical hacking and thrive in your career.

As a cybersecurity professional with over six years of experience, I focus on strengthening digital assets against ever-changing cyber threats. I specialize in penetration testing, ethical hacking, red teaming, and offensive security. I excel at uncovering and addressing vulnerabilities in networks and web applications.

My mission is to make cyberspace better & safer for everyone by committing to lifelong learning, sharing knowledge with the community, and inspiring others to do the same.

Credentials:

• BS in Cybersecurity Management and Policy from UMGC.

• 16 certifications including OSCP, OSWA, CISSP, PWPA, eJPT, OSWP, CASP+, PenTest+, CEH, CySA+, CCNA, Cyber Ops-A, Cloud+, Linux+, Security+, and Network+.

• Pwned 109 HTB machines and mastered 218 THM rooms, securing top leaderboard rankings on both platforms.

• Pursuing MS in Cybersecurity Management and Policy at UMGC & Other Certifications

• United States Air Force Veteran

Time Stamps
---------------------------------------------------
0:00 - Introduction
1:20 - Step 1
3:31 - Step 2
9:14 - Step 3
12:17 - Step 4
15:54 - Step 5
18:09 - Step 6
19:06 - Step 7
19:48 - Step 8
27:11 - Step 9
29:20 - Step 10
34:20 - Extra Nugget
35:43 - Recap/Summary

Connect
---------------------------------------------------

Tags
---------------------------------------------------
#Cybersecurity #infosec #informationsecurity #datasecurity #cybersecurityexpert #cybersecurityexperts #cybersecuritytips #cybersecuritytraining #hacking #hacking_pro #hacker #hackers #ethicalhacking #ethicalhacker #hackerman #hacked #penetrationtesters #penetrationtesting #pentesting #pentesting #pentesting #pentester #redteam #redteaming #offensivesecurity #security #technology #tech #IT #informationtechnology #Cyber #computerscience #LearnShareInspire #KyserClark #Kyser #LearnEthicalHacking #BecomeAPentester #EthicalHackingTips #CybersecurityRoadmap #PentestingGuide

Music
---------------------------------------------------
All music featured in this video is by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio.

Disclaimer
---------------------------------------------------
Attention viewers: This video is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information.

The postings on this site are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

[KyserClark]

What are you doing right now to become a penetration tester?

[fernandoc]

You`re the buddy I was looking for to support and motivate me on my Pentester journey :D
Great video man, subscribed!
Love from UK/Brazil/PT.

[CyberKali-mr]

If you are paying CPTS > OSCP. If your company is paying get OSCP, pay for CPTS yourself. PNPT i have it, not impressed by the exam tbh, the course was good though.

[sanphotos]

Thank you for the advice. I'm just months working as SOC analyst and my dream job is be Ethical hacker. someone said it will take years and years to land on a pantester role and I should look for another job instead but I am not stopping.

[brianfoley]

I don’t think you could’ve done better in this video because you highlighted flexibility in each step. I’ve watched a lot of these kinds of videos but in your I liked your honestly especially when talking about your 1 and 5 year plans. New subscriber after watching this 👍🏻

[haymmor]

i watched very much of this type of videos, they almost all the same but you're video is different Thank You .

[Estlna]

Such a great video, your advice is gold for me!!! Thank you ❤

[TJBillion]

I love your blog, very motivational, thanks a lot to share to the community

[k_usuan]

Got my A+ Net+ and almost done with the CPTS path and going to focus more on web and go through ports swigger and CBBH and makes the BSCP my future cert . What do you think about it Kyser?

[mainguyen]

Very good knowledge and thanks for sharing

[Sh_gags]

Does Pen Testing also include like physical pen Testing as well?? What I mean by that though is something breaking in to places for security checks

[diginalunlimited]

Good video, I enjoyed. Keep up the work, and never give up!🎉Any tips on how to find your hacker methodology? Had guys talk about it
on reddit

[orregev]

What about start from soc ? And if I do degree in computer science does it to op for cyber security I want to be security researcher or pen tester

[edrisampuan]

Can you please include other certs like - CRTO, CRTL, CRTP, CRTE, CRTM?

[consumerextraordinaire]

what's a good way to get security clearance for those who aren't military?

[WanderingQuiet]

Hey Mr. Clark, thank you for this wonderful video.
I have 2 questions that i would be thankfull if you answered.
First one is more personal, how much do you make on average per year.
Second is, i got rejected from a very important internship, it was a very good opportunity and i failed at the very last stage where only 3 out of 9 contestants were accepted.
I have now hit a "motivation wall" and i only wanna keep moving forwad with some projects, HackTheBox training and in a couple of months, finish CPTS.
I am very skilled in entry level requirements for PT but thats it.
What would be your specific short tips for a guy in my position.
Thank you very much.❤

[AlirezaAfshar-gkxt]

Hey Kyser, Do I need a university degree or these certifications are enough?

[orregev]

what do you think about CPTS Certification?

[Evy_Evy]

Hey hey thanks so much for the advices. Im currently at step three. Hack the box, but i was wondering are comptia plus and comptia networking mandatory even if we were to get for example comptia pentest or certified ethical hacker ? Do we still need to have the first 2 ( no previous it background here just learned everything from scratch )

[AAa-zji]

Can i get a penetration tester job without experience but with college degree + the certs you recommend?