OSCP vs CPENT | Which Penetration Testing Certification is Best for Ethical Hackers?

Introduction

Ethical hacking certifications play a crucial role in shaping the careers of cybersecurity professionals. Two of the most prestigious certifications in penetration testing are Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) and Certified Penetration Testing Professional (CPENT). Both certifications validate an ethical hacker’s ability to perform real-world penetration testing, exploit vulnerabilities, and secure networks.

But which one is better? OSCP or CPENT? The answer depends on various factors such as skill level, exam format, hands-on experience, and career goals.

In this blog, we will compare OSCP and CPENT in detail, covering their exam structure, difficulty level, skills tested, career benefits, and which certification suits different cybersecurity professionals.

What is OSCP?

OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) is a globally recognized penetration testing certification offered by Offensive Security. It is one of the most respected and challenging certifications in the cybersecurity industry.

Key Features of OSCP

✅ Hands-on, real-world penetration testing experience
✅ 24-hour practical exam with an actual pentesting engagement
✅ Focus on manual exploitation and problem-solving skills
✅ Highly respected in the cybersecurity industry

Exam Structure

Skills Tested in OSCP

• Manual exploitation and scripting

• Buffer overflow attacks

• Privilege escalation

  
  

• Web application attacks

• Active Directory pentesting (limited)

• Post-exploitation techniques

Who Should Take OSCP?

• Ethical hackers and penetration testers

• Security analysts looking to specialize in offensive security

• Red teamers and cybersecurity consultants

• Those comfortable with Linux, Bash scripting, and Python

What is CPENT?

CPENT (Certified Penetration Testing Professional) is a penetration testing certification offered by EC-Council. It is known for its real-world, advanced pentesting challenges in an enterprise environment.

Key Features of CPENT

✅ Live, hands-on penetration testing in an enterprise environment
✅ Exam simulates real-world cyberattacks on a corporate network
✅ Focus on Active Directory, IoT, and cloud penetration testing
✅ Multiple difficulty levels (600 and 900 points criteria)

Exam Structure

Skills Tested in CPENT

• Network penetration testing

• Web application security

• Active Directory and post-exploitation

• Internet of Things (IoT) security

• Cloud pentesting

• Pivoting and lateral movement

Who Should Take CPENT?

• Ethical hackers and penetration testers

• Red teamers focusing on enterprise security

• Those working with Active Directory, IoT, and cloud security

• Professionals who prefer structured learning with EC-Council’s training

OSCP vs CPENT: Detailed Comparison

Which Certification is Better?

Choose OSCP if:

✔️ You want a challenging and highly respected certification
✔️ You prefer manual exploitation, scripting, and buffer overflows
✔️ You want a certification that proves your ability to think like a hacker
✔️ You are comfortable working in Linux and CLI-based environments

Choose CPENT if:

✔️ You are interested in enterprise penetration testing
✔️ You want to learn about Active Directory, IoT, and cloud security
✔️ You prefer structured training with EC-Council materials
✔️ You need a real-world corporate pentesting simulation

FAQs

Is OSCP harder than CPENT?

Yes, OSCP is generally considered more challenging because it focuses on manual exploitation and problem-solving rather than structured labs.

Which certification is better for job opportunities?

Both OSCP and CPENT are valuable, but OSCP is more widely recognized in cybersecurity job roles.

Can a beginner pass OSCP or CPENT?

OSCP is not recommended for beginners; it requires strong Linux and scripting skills. CPENT is slightly more beginner-friendly.

Does CPENT cover Active Directory attacks?

Yes, CPENT has extensive Active Directory pentesting topics.

Which certification is better for red teaming?

OSCP is better for manual exploitation, while CPENT is better for enterprise security scenarios.

Does OSCP include IoT and Cloud security?

No, OSCP does not cover IoT or cloud pentesting. CPENT includes both.

Which certification is more hands-on?

Both are 100% hands-on, but OSCP has a more problem-solving-based approach.

Is CPENT more expensive than OSCP?

No, OSCP costs more ($1599), while CPENT costs $999.

Can OSCP be cleared without prior experience?

It is very difficult. Most people recommend at least 1-2 years of ethical hacking experience before attempting OSCP.

Does CPENT have a retake option?

Yes, but you must repurchase the exam if you fail.

Which certification covers pivoting techniques?

Both OSCP and CPENT cover pivoting and lateral movement techniques.

Conclusion

Both OSCP and CPENT are excellent certifications for penetration testers and ethical hackers.

• OSCP is best for those who want a hardcore, problem-solving penetration testing certification.

• CPENT is ideal for professionals looking for enterprise-focused security skills in Active Directory, IoT, and cloud pentesting.

Ultimately, the choice depends on your career goals, preferred learning style, and the type of pentesting you want to specialize in.

FAQs

What is OSCP?

OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) is a hands-on penetration testing certification offered by Offensive Security, focusing on manual exploitation techniques.

What is CPENT?

CPENT (Certified Penetration Testing Professional) is a penetration testing certification from EC-Council, covering Active Directory, IoT, and cloud security.

Which certification is harder, OSCP or CPENT?

OSCP is generally harder due to its focus on manual exploitation and 24-hour exam format, while CPENT is more structured with a real-world enterprise environment.

Which certification is better for job opportunities?

Both are valuable, but OSCP is more widely recognized in penetration testing and red teaming roles.

Does OSCP cover Active Directory attacks?

No, OSCP has limited Active Directory coverage, while CPENT focuses heavily on Active Directory security and lateral movement.

Is CPENT more suitable for enterprise penetration testing?

Yes, CPENT covers enterprise pentesting, cloud security, and IoT attacks, making it ideal for corporate security teams.

What are the exam durations for OSCP and CPENT?

• OSCP: 24-hour practical exam

• CPENT: 24-hour exam (can be taken as two 12-hour sessions)

Which certification is more hands-on?

Both OSCP and CPENT are 100% hands-on, but OSCP requires more manual exploitation and scripting skills.

Can beginners take OSCP or CPENT?

OSCP is not recommended for beginners due to its difficulty, while CPENT is slightly more beginner-friendly with structured learning.

Which certification covers IoT and cloud penetration testing?

CPENT includes IoT and cloud security, while OSCP does not cover these areas.

Does CPENT have a retake option?

Yes, but you must repurchase the exam if you fail.

Which certification has better salary benefits?

Both OSCP and CPENT holders earn high salaries, but OSCP professionals are in higher demand for offensive security roles.

How much does OSCP cost?

OSCP costs $1599, including exam and training materials.

How much does CPENT cost?

CPENT costs $999, making it cheaper than OSCP.

Does OSCP require coding knowledge?

Yes, OSCP requires scripting skills in Python, Bash, and PowerShell.

Does CPENT require programming skills?

CPENT does not require extensive scripting, but basic programming knowledge is helpful.

Which certification is better for red teaming?

OSCP is better for red teaming because of its manual exploitation approach.

Can OSCP be cleared without prior experience?

It is very difficult to pass OSCP without prior ethical hacking experience.

Does CPENT focus on web application security?

Yes, CPENT covers web application security, but not as deeply as OSCP.

Does OSCP include cloud penetration testing?

No, OSCP does not cover cloud security. CPENT includes AWS and Azure pentesting.

Which certification is more industry-recognized?

OSCP is more widely recognized, especially in red teaming and offensive security jobs.

Which certification covers buffer overflow attacks?

OSCP includes buffer overflow exploitation, while CPENT does not focus on it.

Which certification is better for beginners?

CPENT is more structured and beginner-friendly, while OSCP is challenging for newcomers.

Does OSCP have an open-book exam format?

No, OSCP requires hands-on exploitation without open-book access.

Does CPENT have a live practical exam?

Yes, CPENT is a live penetration testing exam with real-world challenges.

Can CPENT replace OSCP for job roles?

It depends on the job role. OSCP is still preferred for red teaming, while CPENT is better for enterprise penetration testing.

Which certification offers a better learning experience?

OSCP offers a self-learning, problem-solving experience, while CPENT follows a structured enterprise pentesting model.

Which certification should I choose for my career?

• Choose OSCP if you want a hardcore penetration testing and red teaming certification.

• Choose CPENT if you want to specialize in enterprise pentesting, cloud, and Active Directory security.

Will OSCP or CPENT help me get a cybersecurity job?

Both OSCP and CPENT improve job prospects, but OSCP is more commonly required for penetration tester roles.

Does OSCP or CPENT have lifetime validity?

No, both certifications require renewal after three years.