Offensive Security

Offensive security, is a proactive approach to cybersecurity focused on identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, applications, and other information systems. The goal of offensive security is to simulate real-world cyber-attacks in a controlled and ethical manner to discover and remediate weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them.

This competency area includes an understanding of the concepts of Penetration Testing, Ethical Hacking, Vulnerability Assessment, Red Team Operations, Exploit Development, Social Engineering, Web Application Security, Wireless Security, Reverse Engineering and Evasion & Stealth.

Key Competencies::

1. Penetration Testing: Ability to simulate cyber-attacks on a computer system, network, or application to identify and address vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.
2. Ethical Hacking: Ability to intentionally identify and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, applications, and other information systems in order to address potential weaknesses before malicious hackers can exploit them.
3. Vulnerability Assessment: Understanding of the process of identifying, quantifying, and prioritizing vulnerabilities within a system, network, application, or any information technology infrastructure.
4. Red Team Operations: Ability to simulate cyber-attacks where a team of security professionals, the "Red Team," mimics the tactics, techniques, and procedures of potential adversaries to assess and test an organization's security defenses.
5. Exploit Development: Ability to create software or scripts, known as exploits, to take advantage of vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, or applications.
6. Social Engineering: Understanding of the technique used by attackers to manipulate individuals into divulging confidential information, providing access to systems, or performing actions that may compromise security.
7. Web Application Security: Ability to protect web-based systems, applications, and websites from security threats and vulnerabilities.
8. Wireless Security: Understanding of the measures and protocols implemented to safeguard wireless networks, devices, and data from unauthorized access, interception, and other security threats.
9. Reverse Engineering: Understanding of the process of dissecting and analyzing software, firmware, or hardware to understand its inner workings, functionality, and potential vulnerabilities.
10. Evasion and Stealth: Understanding of the techniques and strategies used by attackers to avoid detection, bypass security controls, and maintain persistence without alerting defenders.