The emphasis has moved beyond just defense to the offensive initiative in today’s cybersecurity war. Organizations no longer sit around and wait for attacks to happen—they’re hiring ethical hackers and penetration testers who can discover vulnerabilities before the bad guys do. That increasing demand is creating offense security certifications such as OSCP, eJPT, and formal Red Team training courses. What’s driving it, though, and why are these certifications becoming essentials in 2025?
Let’s explore the what, why, and how behind this new wave in cybersecurity training.
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Why Offensive Security Is in the Spotlight
Cyber threats are more sophisticated than ever. Ransomware, zero-day exploits, and advanced persistent threats (APTs) are no longer rare. Defensive security measures like firewalls and antivirus software can only go so far.
What is required is an “offensive mindset”—the capacity to think and act like a hacker in order to detect vulnerabilities before someone else uses them. This is where offensive security specialists come in, applying penetration testing and red teaming to put security systems through their paces.
Employers increasingly want someone who doesn’t merely defend networks, but tests them in the heat of battle.
1. OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)
The OSCP certification, granted by Offensive Security, is considered one of the most prestigious titles for ethical hacking. It’s famous for its practical, real-world nature, where candidates need to exploit vulnerabilities successfully in a lab setting and pass a long 24-hour practical test.
Why It Matters:
- Real-world simulation- OSCP simulates real-world hacking situations, not merely hypothetical questions
- Regarded by recruiters- Most job postings specifically request OSCP
- Shows persistence and skill- OSCP certification demonstrates that you’re not only skilled—you’re persistent
Pro tip: It’s not for starters. If you are a beginner in ethical hacking, it might be advisable to establish a foundation of skills first.
2. eJPT (eLearnSecurity Junior Penetration Tester)
If you are starting fresh in the realm of ethical hacking, the eJPT is an excellent place to start. Provided by INE, this certification combines theoretical knowledge with practical application in a simulated lab environment.
Why It’s Gaining Popularity:
- Beginner-friendly- Excellent for individuals who have little or no pentesting experience
- Accessible and affordable- Less expensive compared to OSCP
- Hands-on experience- Illustrates the fundamentals of reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, and reporting
The eJPT acts as a springboard for more advanced certifications and helps make switching into the career path easier.
3. Red Team Training
As opposed to penetration testing, which is scoped and generally stand-alone, Red Teaming mimics an entire-scale, stealthy cyber intrusion.
Red Teams operate more like actual attackers—snaking in, evading detection, and posing long-term simulated intrusions to check the efficacy with which an organization detects and reacts.
Certifications & Training Tracks:
- Certified Red Team Professional (CRTP)
- Certified Red Team Operator (CRTO)
- SANS Red Team Courses
- Custom lab-based courses such as Red Team Ops by Zero-Point Security
Why It’s a Big Deal:
- Advanced skillset- Encompasses social engineering, Active Directory attacks, lateral movement, and beyond
- Beneficial to enterprises- Assists organizations in testing detection and incident response
- Lucrative career path- Red Team roles tend to carry high salaries and sway in the security stack
The Career Impact
As cybercrime is estimated to cost the world $10.5 trillion per year by 2025, the demand for expert offensive security experts has never been higher. Whether beginning with eJPT, testing boundaries with OSCP, or going elite with Red Team operations, these certifications unlock high-impact, high-compensation careers.
Jobs include:
- Penetration Tester
- Red Team Operator
- Security Consultant
- Ethical Hacker
- Threat Emulation Specialist
Final Thoughts
The growth of offensive security certifications represents a shift in paradigm in the way we address cybersecurity. It’s not enough to sit back and play defense anymore—you have to outsmart the bad guy. Certifications such as OSCP, eJPT, and Red Team training are enabling a new breed of cyber warriors who aren’t waiting around for threats—instead, they’re actively pursuing them.
