What is a penetration tester?
Penetration testing is the practice of performing a software attack on a computer system or network for the purpose of discovering weaknesses, exploits, and vulnerabilities. A penetration tester will help keep your security one step ahead of those looking for an easy way into your network.
How do you hire a penetration tester?
You can source penetration tester talent on Upwork by following these three steps:
- Write a project description. You’ll want to determine your scope of work and the skills and requirements you are looking for in a penetration tester.
- Post it on Upwork. Once you’ve written a project description, post it to Upwork. Simply follow the prompts to help you input the information you collected to scope out your project.
- Shortlist and interview penetration testers. Once the proposals start coming in, create a shortlist of the professionals you want to interview.
Of these three steps, your project description is where you will determine your scope of work and the specific type of penetration tester you need to complete your project.
How much does it cost to hire a penetration tester?
Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.
- An experienced penetration tester may command higher fees but also work faster, have more-specialized areas of expertise, and deliver higher-quality work.
- A contractor who is still in the process of building a client base may price their penetration tester services more competitively.
Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.
How do you write a penetration tester job post?
Your job post is your chance to describe your project scope, budget, and talent needs. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if they’re the right fit for the project.
Job post title
Create a simple title that describes exactly what you’re looking for. The idea is to target the keywords that your ideal candidate is likely to type into a job search bar to find your project. Here are some sample penetration tester job post titles:
- Need hackers to test our network security system
- Penetration testers needed to help us find system vulnerabilities
- Remote penetration testers wanted to recommend backdoor to new software
Project description
An effective penetration tester job post should include:
- Scope of work: From designing tests to conducting physical assessment of equipment, list all the deliverables you’ll need.
- Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project.
- Background: If you prefer experience with certain industries, software, or environments, mention this here.
- Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.
Penetration tester job responsibilities
Here are some examples of penetration tester job responsibilities:
- Develop tests designed to break into security-protected applications and networks
- Conduct physical assessments of entire network servers and systems
- Document key findings, write reports and deliver findings to executive team
Penetration testers job requirements and qualifications
Be sure to include any requirements and qualifications you’re looking for in a penetration tester. Here are some examples:
- Masters degree in computer science or similar field required
- Minimum four years experience in security vulnerability testing
- Extensive knowledge of two or more programming languages