In today’s world, the more we step towards the future, the more we become digitally advanced. The scope for a future career in the cyber security field has also increased. If you are one of those who wants their career future in cyber defense, then preparing for the OSCP exam is the first step for you to achieve your dream, this is why we have discussed a OSCP exam guide for you.
But many students get confused about this step. There are many students who don’t know much about the OSCP exam, and sometimes because of this, they get a little off track; some even drop their dream of pursuing a career in cyber defense. But this is why we are here. In this article, we have provided a detailed OSCP exam guide for everyone who wants to pursue their future career in cyber defense but is confused about the OSCP exam.
So just get your pen and paper while we give you a detailed guide for everything you need to know about the OSCP exam.
1. What is an OSCP exam?
The OSCP exam is the first step towards the future in the cyber defense field. OSCP is the
Offensive Security Certified professionals offered by Offensive Security This OSCP exam certification gives the individual practical knowledge in the field of ethical knowledge by using skills like methodological penetration tools like Kali Linux distribution. This is a source that gives the individual access to penetrate a security system.
The knowledge of these outstanding skills and intimate practical knowledge is in high demand in the cyber defense field, as these exclusive strategies are an important part of building a stringent defense system.
Scope in cyber security after the OSCP exam
This exclusive knowledge is in very high demand and has a wide range of scope for you. We have mentioned some common and high-demand items in the cyber defense field.
- Security analyst
- Computer forensics analyst
- Security specialist
- Penetration tester
- Security engineer
- Security code auditor
- Malware analyst
- Security consultant
2. OSCP or CEH
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) and Cyber Ethical Hacker are both somewhat similar in the cyber defense or cyber security field, but even with this, both of these certificates have their own unique role in the cyber defense or cyber security industry.
The Cyber Ethical Hacker, or CEH, is a unique feature of critical thinking where the individual is required to use their ability to think like a malevolent hacker with their psychology and skills. This CEH focuses less on deeper theory and practical knowledge of penetration skills and more on the range of entry-level skills in security.
On the other hand, the Offensive Security Certified Professional, or OSCP, focuses more on the practical knowledge of the deeper range of cyber security systems.
In this field, the individual focuses more on deeper methodological penetration skills with tools like the Kali Linux distribution, which is great for those who want to become professionals and deeper penetration testers in the security system.
3. Requirements for OSCP Exam Guides
The OSCP exam, or offensive security certified professional exam, is a unique exam; unlike other exams, the OSCP exam Guide has only a few requirements.
- The OSCP exam offers one or more exam attempts.
- Unlike other exams that require some specific education qualification, the OSCP exam doesn’t require any education or work eligibility.
- However, the candidate should have a clear knowledge or idea of TCP/IP networking, Windows, Linux, and the basic idea of Python.
- It is required for the candidate to have natural problem-solving ability and critical thinking skills.
4. Cost of the OSCP exam
The OSCP exam course package has mainly three packages, each of which has different features of its own.
- The first package includes $1,499, which offers 90 days of lab access and one exam attempt.
- The second package includes $2,499 per year, which offers one year of lab access and two exam attempts.
- The third package offers a wider range of access than the other two packages. which includes $5,499 per year and offers OffSec courses and unlimited exam attempts.
5. Courses of the OSCP exam
The OSCP course prepares you for a virtual lab environment and trains you through the following topics:
- Penetration Testing: What You Should Know
- Getting comfortable with Kali Linux
- Command-Line Fun
- Practical Tools
- Bash Scripting
- Passive information gathering
- Active information gathering
- Vulnerability Scanning
- Web application attacks
- Introduction to Buffer Overflows
- Windows buffer overflows
- Linux buffer overflows
- Client-Side Attacks
- Locating public exploits
- Fixing Exploits
- File Transfers
- Antivirus Evasion
- Privilege Escalation
- Password Attacks
- Port redirection and tunneling
- Active Directory Attacks
- The Metasploit Framework
- PowerShell Empire
- Assembling the Pieces: Penetration Test Breakdown
- Trying Harder: The Labs
These topics give you deeper knowledge on methodological penetrating skills and tools and give you exclusive knowledge for being an expert hacker in the cyber security industry.
This unique course also gives you the chance to prepare yourself thoroughly for the exams, as the OSCP exam gives one or more attempts to sit for the exam.
6. The OSCP exam
The offensive security certificate professional exams are conducted through a live streaming VPN, and a small number of vulnerable machines are used for the unique exam. The exam finishing time includes 23 hours and 45 minutes within which the candidate has to complete the exam. Along with this, the candidate is given additional time to upload all their documents.
The required documents consist of the target given to the student, which includes the attacks, commands, and outputs that the students present through a penetration report. It’s important for the candidate to thoroughly check all the documents before submission, as failure to do so will result in zero points, and once submitted, it will be considered the final submission of documents.
Marks distribution
The number of penetrating machines is 5, which are further distributed. If the student can compromise three independent machines, they can possibly obtain 60 points, and further attacking two independent machines can obtain them 40 points. Additional advance points are also possible through the PWK lab machine.
The required mark for passing the OSCP exam is 70 points.
Reexamination
The reexamination policy of the OSCP exam has three distinct types, which are
- If the candidate fails during their first attempt at the exam, they can reschedule the exam after a period of 6 weeks from the date of their previous exam.
- If the candidate fails during the second attempt of their exam, they can reschedule the reexam after a period of 8 weeks from their previous exam date.
- If the candidate fails on their third attempt of their exam, they can reschedule the reexam after a period of 12 weeks from their previous exam.
7. OSCP exam guide on average salary
The average salary of an OSCP holder can vary depending on various factors like their certificate, position, organization, and roles in the cyber security field.
The most common and average salary for cyber security roles is
- Software Architect: $132,201
- Penetration Tester: $116,422
- Lead Analyst: $108,598
- Security Analyst: $94,120
- Security Specialist: $75,966
Conclusion
The OSCP is the best training exam course for those who have an interest in cyberspace and hacking. The OSCP trains them with exclusive knowledge of penetrating skills for cyber security systems and prepares them to be expert professionals.
FAQ’s
1. Is OSCP a 48-hour exam according to the OSCP exam guide ?
Ans: The offensive security certified professional exam is a long skills-demonstrating test. It consists of a long methodological exam where it might take you around 24 hours of hacking and 24 hours of making a flawless report, but it can vary according to your skills and training.
2. Is the OSCP exam difficult?
Ans: The OSCP exam can be a little difficult because of the testing and critical thinking abilities of the test makers, but if you are someone who has a thing for these, then it can surely be much easier for you.
3. Is 3 months enough for OSCP?
Ans: The answer entirely lies with you, as you are the one who knows yourself and your preparation abilities best. Some have completed the OSCP exam with just 3 months of preparation, while for others it might have taken them 1 year to complete.
