How to Get Started as a Penetration Tester in London?

CompTIA PenTest+ certification is favored by many aspiring London penetration testers. Due to rising cybersecurity threats, Britain has an estimated 2.39 million cyber-related vacancies (DCMS). Penetration testers are one of the most sought-after roles, earning between £45,000 and £90,000 per year, as reported by Technojobs UK.

CompTIA PenTest+ certified professionals acquire essential ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing skills at an intermediate level, enabling them to secure entry and mid-level positions within London’s booming cybersecurity market. Given that more than 75% of enterprises in the UK experienced a security breach in 2024, the demand for certified penetration testers is growing as they seek to close the security gaps within their organizations.

How to Become a Penetration Tester in London?

Since the capital now hosts almost 30% of Britain’s cyber vacancies, the appetite stretches from finance and tech to healthcare and government work. Follow this practical, step-by-step route map to see what each milestone looks like and where it could lead you.

Step 1: Learn About the Job and What is Required in the Industry

Start by researching what real-world penetration testers do. In London, this often entails conducting simulated cyberattacks for financial services firms, government agencies, and technology companies. You will need to understand:

Mastering these foundational concepts will aid in meeting employer’s expectations in learning. This is especially useful for London-based employers who value knowledge of UK-specific frameworks and regulations.  

Step 2: Gain Additional Knowledge by Learning the Key Skills

In the UK, getting a certification without prior practical experience is not advised. Additionally, before obtaining the certification, one needs to have a grasp of other technological concepts. For enhanced understanding, UK employers expect penetration testers to have:  

These can be acquired during self-study or formal education (IT-related degrees, coding bootcamps, or cyber apprenticeships). Several employers target candidates with practical experience because skill is valued over formal education.

Step 3: Get Practical Experience  

Having practical skills is crucial in today’s world. Consider ethical hacking courses from reputed organizations. Start building a home lab and practice simulated cyber attack and defense scenarios.  

Begin with these personal projects:  

In London, most employers value self-initiative, especially among SMEs and consultancies. Even if you lack a full-time work history, practical experience through core hands-on labs demonstrates skills. A number of entry-level positions, such as SOC Analyst or Security Support Engineer, are open for applicants.

Step 4: Validate Skills with Recognized Cybersecurity Certifications

It is time to validate your skills after ensuring your technical groundwork is in place. One of the most popular options in the UK is:

PenTest+ is accepted around the world and is great for entry-level professionals. It trains candidates on the important stages of penetration testing: planning, reconnaissance, exploitation, reporting, and scripting. In London, job openings often mention it as a prerequisite for junior penetration testers, security consultants, and vulnerability analysts.

You can also consider certifications like:

Having these certifications can increase employability and result in higher salaries. Certified professionals at the entry level in London start with a salary range of £35,000 to £45,000, while mid-level pentesters can earn up to £70,000 based on industry and area of expertise. 

Step 5: Understand the Legal and Regulatory Frameworks in the UK

Legal boundaries of ethical hacking must be observed by pentesters in London. Make sure you understand the following:

Understand the rules lets you create clearer reports, avoid compliance issues, and appeal to hiring managers in highly regulated fields such as finance and healthcare.  It also opens up career opportunities as a compliance consultant, risk assessor, or audit specialist in the same cybersecurity domain.

Step 6: Developing Reporting Skills and Other Relevant Soft Skills  

Employers in London expect more than just technical skills from job applicants. For penetration testers, it is vital to communicate and deliver results concisely to key stakeholders.  

Practice:  

In consultancy firms, these skills are deemed essential as they engage with clients on a daily basis. Strengthening these skills increases your chances of obtaining a job as a security consultant or technical advisor, which often precedes more advanced roles in pentesting.  

Step 7: Target Appropriate Entry-Level Positions  

Don't hold out for the “penetration tester” title. Like most London professionals, you can start with these titles:  

These positions have a starting salary between £30,000 and £40,000. They also aid in gaining sufficient experience to transition into a full-time pentesting role. As highlighted in the 2024 UK Cyber Security Skills in the Labour Market report, only 30% of UK businesses employ personnel with advanced penetration testing capabilities, suggesting ample opportunities.

Step 8: Adapt Your Job Applications for the London Market

Tailor your CV to UK industry standards:

Look at jobs on CyberSecurityJobs.co.uk, Technojobs, CWJobs, and LinkedIn UK. Over 60% of cyber jobs in London are now offered as hybrid positions.  

Step 9: Keep Learning and Stay Updated

As is the case in many parts of the world, the UK has a rapidly shifting tech landscape. To stay competitive in the London market:

These and other such learning opportunities can help you transition to positions such as:

Senior penetration testers in London earn over £80,000, with the highest packages offered in consultancy and financial services.

Overview of CompTIA PenTest+ Certification

CompTIA PenTest+ is a globally recognized, mid-level certification that validates hands-on skills in ethical hacking, vulnerability scanning, and reporting. It is suited for aspiring penetration testers, vulnerability analysts, or security consultants—especially in London, where employers emphasize practical skills and compliance with local regulations.

Key Highlights:

Importance of the Certification in London:

This certification is one of the most practical in the UK for cybersecurity as it integrates concepts learned with real-life applications.

Start Your Cybersecurity Career With PenTest+ In London

London stands as a leading center for business, healthcare, and numerous tech-dependent sectors, which increases the demand for skilled penetration testers. CompTIA PenTest+ certification offers hands-on experience in the field that simultaneously enriches the practitioner’s industry knowledge. This specific certification is not an ordinary one; it tests your ability to protect important assets from advanced persistent threats. It will greatly aid you in starting your journey towards climbing the cybersecurity career ladder, so for those motivated to make a change, start your PenTest+ journey now.