The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) is a highly practical penetration testing certification designed for cybersecurity professionals who want to demonstrate their ability to identify vulnerabilities, exploit systems, escalate privileges, and document security findings in realistic environments.
The associated Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (PEN-200) training develops practical penetration testing skills through hands-on exercises and lab environments. Learners work with methodologies and techniques used to assess networks and applications, identify vulnerabilities, gain authorized access, escalate privileges, and document their findings in a professional penetration testing report. OffSec describes the OSCP as validating practical, hands-on skills rather than purely theoretical knowledge.
The training emphasizes a methodical approach to penetration testing, including information gathering, vulnerability identification, exploitation, privilege escalation, Active Directory, client-side attacks, web application testing, password attacks, tunneling and pivoting, and report writing.