How to Prove You're a Real Hacker: The Pentesting eXpert Exam Series
July 14,2025 10:14 AM
The Pentesting eXpert Exams are hands-on, expert-level cybersecurity certifications that test your real-world offensive security skills in highly realistic environments. Each exam focuses on a specific domain and requires practical execution of attacks, evasion techniques, and deep technical knowledge.
Which exams are currently available in the Pentesting eXpert series?
The current lineup includes:
Certified Cloud Pentesting eXpert – AWS (CCPenX-AWS)
Certified AppSec Pentesting eXpert (CAPenX)
Certified Active Directory Pentesting eXpert (C-ADPenX)
Certified Red Teamer – eXpert (CRTeamerX)
What is the Certified Cloud Pentesting eXpert – AWS (CCPenX-AWS) exam?
CCPenX-AWS is an expert-level certification designed to assess your ability to identify and exploit security flaws in Amazon Web Services (AWS) environments. You’ll be challenged with real-world AWS cloud scenarios, including IAM misconfigurations, insecure storage, and privilege escalation paths within AWS infrastructures.
Ideal for: Cloud security engineers, red teamers, penetration testers focused on AWS environments.
What does the Certified AppSec Pentesting eXpert (CAPenX) cover?
The CAPenX exam focuses on Application Security (AppSec). You’ll need to demonstrate practical skills in identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in web and application environments.
You’ll be tested on:
Common web vulnerabilities (e.g., SQLi, XSS, SSRF)
Business logic flaws
Secure coding issues
Exploitation techniques and reporting
Ideal for: AppSec professionals, bug bounty hunters, web pentesters, and security engineers.
What is the Certified Active Directory Pentesting eXpert (C-ADPenX) exam?
C-ADPenX tests your expertise in Microsoft Active Directory (AD) environments, both on-premise and Azure AD. You’ll be expected to perform attacks such as:
Kerberoasting
Pass-the-Hash/Ticket
Privilege escalation via misconfigurations
Enumeration and exploitation of trust relationships
Ideal for: Windows red teamers, internal pentesters, and AD security specialists.
What makes the Certified Red Teamer – eXpert (CRTeamerX) unique?
CRTeamerX is the most comprehensive and stealth-focused exam in the series. It simulates a realistic enterprise environment with defense-in-depth mechanisms, and you’ll be required to:
Start with low-privileged access
Conduct advanced lateral and vertical movement
Exploit AD and infrastructure features
Bypass or evade endpoint detection and security controls
Maintain stealth throughout the operation
Ideal for: Senior red team operators, threat emulation professionals, and advanced offensive security engineers.
What skill level is expected for these exams?
These are expert-level exams. You're expected to have:
Significant hands-on experience in penetration testing or red teaming
Familiarity with offensive tooling and scripting
A deep understanding of the domain you’re certifying in (e.g., AWS, AD, web apps)
Are the exams practical or theoretical?
All exams are 100% hands-on, practical assessments. You must solve real-world challenges within a controlled lab environment. There are no multiple-choice questions or theoretical knowledge-only sections.
Why should I pursue a Pentesting eXpert certification?
These certifications offer:
Proof of real-world capability in advanced scenarios
Specialization in critical domains like cloud, AD, or application security
Recognition among employers and peers for your advanced offensive skills
A path toward elite red team and consulting roles
Which exam should I take first?
That depends on your career focus:
Cloud Security (AWS): CCPenX-AWS
Application Security: CAPenX
Internal Infrastructure/AD: C-ADPenX
Red Teaming & Adversary Simulation: CRTeamerX
What preparation is recommended?
You should:
Have hands-on experience in real environments
Build or practice in home labs (e.g., AWS free tier, AD test labs, DVWA, etc.)
Review open-source tools and attack chains (e.g., BloodHound, SharpHound, Burp Suite, AWS CLI)
Understand detection and evasion tactics if attempting CRTeamerX
The Pentesting eXpert Exams are not for beginners - they are for those who want to prove elite offensive capabilities. If you’re ready for the challenge and looking to stand out in the red teaming or pentesting world, earning one of these certifications will be a powerful milestone.
CCPenX-AWS Exam Dumps PDF & SOFT | 1 Year Free Update | Money Back Guarantee
- Related Suggestion