What is the Certified Penetration Tester?

The Certified Penetration Tester is a globally recognised professional certification by the Global Leadership Institute (GLI), designed to equip professionals with advanced competencies in Soft Skills & Personal Dev..

How long does this certification take?

The programme is 10 Weeks and can be completed at your own pace through our self-paced online option, or alongside live virtual sessions.

Is this certification globally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are internationally recognised and carry CPD credits, making them valuable for career advancement worldwide.

What level is this certification?

This is a Intermediate Level certification, suitable for professionals with relevant experience or background in the field.

You can enrol by emailing info@certifications.ac, contacting us via WhatsApp at +254 722 223 084, or filling the enrolment form below.

Certified Penetration Tester (CPT)

Executive Summary

Certified Penetration Tester

Designed for today’s high-impact professionals, the Certified Penetration Tester (CPT) delivers a rigorous Intermediate-level curriculum that equips participants with the knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to excel in security risk management, physical protection and investigations.

This 10 Weeks programme is structured around ASIS, ISO and recognised security-management standards, ensuring every graduate applies internationally validated methods to real-world challenges.

GLI’s CPT holders are recognised by leading organisations across Africa, the Gulf, Europe and the Americas as qualified, results-driven professionals. Whether you are advancing your current career or transitioning into new responsibilities, this certification provides the competitive edge you need in 2026 and beyond.

Programme Overview

Certification at a Glance

Certification

Certified Penetration Tester

Acronym

CPT

Who Should Enrol?

Security Officers and Supervisors
Security Managers and Consultants
Investigators and Intelligence Analysts
Loss Prevention and Protection Specialists

Programme Inclusions

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

All study materials and study guide
Access to GLI online learning portal
Online examination and assessment
Digital certificate and digital badge
Physical certificate (shipped to you)
CPD credits for professional bodies
GLI alumni network membership
Facilitator and tutor support
Resource downloads and reference library
Automatic enrolment confirmation

Certification Benefits

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Career Advancement

Accelerate your career towards senior security-management and CSO roles

Professional Recognition

Credential aligned with ASIS, ISO and recognised security-management standards

Leadership Capability

Develop the strategic and operational skills to lead complex security risk management functions

Organisational Impact

Design and implement security risk management systems that drive performance and measurable results

Compliance Readiness

Master the standards, compliance and ethical governance central to security risk management

Global Employability

Qualify for security risk management roles across multinationals, NGOs and international organisations worldwide

Competency Framework

Core Competencies You Will Develop

✦Reconnaissance Systems

✦Vulnerability Identification

✦Session Security Testing

✦Wireless Security Testing

✦Social Engineering Interfaces

✦Penetration Testing Documentation

Course Curriculum

Programme Modules

The full programme, module by module.

Core CurriculumModules 1–20 · specific to Certified Penetration Tester · module 20 is the capstone

1

Penetration Testing Foundations

Testing strategy: what to test and at which level · Penetration testing basics · Testing, QA and test automation · Assessment design for learning: testing what was meant to be learned

2

Reconnaissance Systems

Data, records and confidentiality tech · Project management software and tools · Project data, reporting and analytics · Data quality and governance

3

Asset Discovery

Discovery questioning: diagnosing before proposing · Discovery: understanding the problem before proposing · Big data technologies and platforms · Facility and asset protection

4

Network Enumeration

Application and network security · Data literacy and adoption · Complaint data and learning · CRM systems and customer data

5

Vulnerability Identification

Security risk assessment: threat, vulnerability and consequence · Software development lifecycle (SDLC) · Reasoning with data: statistics, metrics and misleading figures · Customer data, consent and privacy in service

6

Web Application Assessment

Organisational maturity, assessment and improvement programmes · Security maturity assessment · Threat and risk assessment · Data-driven and real-time finance

7

Authentication Testing

Payment security: tokenisation, authentication and card data · Data breach and incident governance · Building trust through data governance · Data protection and privacy

8

Session Security Testing

Physical security testing · Risk, security and feasibility analysis · Security operations and incident response · Risk management and security frameworks

9

Privilege Escalation

Data collection and analytics · Data engineering: models, pipelines and the quality problem · IT governance, compliance and data protection obligations · Learning analytics: what platform data can and cannot tell you

10

Exploitation Concepts

Card and data security (PCI DSS) · Payment messaging, ISO 20022 and data quality · Project data, performance analysis and delivery intelligence · Intelligence-led and data-driven security

11

Wireless Security Testing

Security KPIs and metrics · Continuous improvement in security · Driving measurable security improvement · Information security fundamentals

12

API Security Testing

Security programme design and budgeting · Security metrics and reporting · Convergence of physical and cyber security · Awareness and security culture

13

Cloud Security Assessment

Cloud, infrastructure and the operating decisions behind them · Cloud security and identity · Cloud architecture, cost and operations · Travel security and duty of care to mobile staff

14

Social Engineering Interfaces

Feature engineering and selection · Social and collaborative learning · Workplace and social learning: shadowing, communities and on-the-job development · Model training, validation and tuning

15

Post-Exploitation Assessment

Security assessment, vulnerability management and remediation · Clean code and design patterns · Version control and collaboration · Debugging and problem solving

16

Evidence Collection

Learning cultures and the learning organisation · Equity, diversity and inclusive education · Learning transformation and modernisation · Digital learning strategy

17

Penetration Testing Documentation

Technical documentation and knowledge transfer · Storyboarding and content development · Learning materials and job aids · Blended and hybrid learning design

18

Findings Classification

AI and adaptive learning · Dashboards and reporting · System selection and integration · Innovation in learning technology

19

Remediation Verification

Higher and further education contexts · Language and communication training · Community and lifelong learning · How adults learn: relevance, experience and the limits of attention

20

Penetration Testing Practicum

Managing learning projects: scope, stakeholders and the launch · Training materials: trainer guides, workbooks and course assembly · The L&D function: demand, prioritisation and credibility · Engagement mechanics: attention, activity design and gamification

Professional ElectivesModules 21–30 · common to all GLI certifications · broaden your professional range

21

Strategic Communication and Executive Presentation

Vision, purpose and translating direction into work · Audience-centred communication and message structure · Executive leadership: the board interface and enterprise stewardship · Persuasive structure: framing, evidence and the ask

22

Leadership and Team Effectiveness

Leadership identity, style and the limits of style · Leadership assessment, feedback and continuous self-review · Leadership versus management and when each is needed · Situational and adaptive leadership

23

Analytical Thinking and Evidence-Based Reasoning

Creativity and critical-thinking development · Analytical techniques and bias · Evidence-based improvement · Problem framing: symptoms, definition and scope

24

Professional Decision-Making

Managerial decision-making, bias and decision rights · Escalation and decision-making · Decision support: briefs, options and judgement under pressure · Decision frameworks: criteria, weighting and trade-offs

25

Negotiation, Influence and Stakeholder Management

Negotiation preparation: interests, options and the walk-away · Power, followership and organisational politics · Negotiation: preparation, interests and value creation · Concessions, anchoring and the shape of a bargain

26

Project and Execution Management

Proposals, bids and the business case · Project roles and the project manager · Developing the project business case · Planning, scheduling and personal workflow systems

27

Financial Literacy for Professionals

Financial reporting standards and their application · Financial management for the operating manager · Liquidity, funding and balance sheet management · Management accounting: costing, budgeting and decision support

28

Digital Skills, AI and Technology for Professionals

Digital workplace, collaboration and user support · Productivity, collaboration and workflow tools · Tools for interaction and collaboration · Working with data: quality, interpretation and honest presentation

29

Ethics, Governance and Professional Accountability

Ethical leadership: integrity, tolerated behaviour and moral courage · Ethics, conduct and speaking up · Business development risk, ethics and integrity · AI for managers: adoption, oversight and governance

30

Personal Effectiveness, Productivity and Career Growth

Emotional competence: awareness, regulation and expression · Self-awareness, strengths and the accuracy of self-image · Emotional intelligence and self-regulation · Priority: outcomes, importance and the urgency trap

Every module opens in the learning portal with its full lesson set, worked examples, further reading and video masterclasses. 30 modules · 150 lessons.

Learning Outcomes

What You Will Achieve

Reconnaissance Systems — applied to your own work
Asset Discovery — applied to your own work
Network Enumeration — applied to your own work
Vulnerability Identification — applied to your own work
Web Application Assessment — applied to your own work
Authentication Testing — applied to your own work

Enrolment Process

How to Get Certified

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Step 1: Choose Your Certification

You are viewing Certified Penetration Tester — one of GLI's 1,990+ globally recognised professional certifications.

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Step 2: Enrol & Pay Online — Instantly

Click Enrol & Study Online to register and pay securely via Paystack, Visa, Mastercard, M-Pesa or bank transfer. Access is granted the moment payment is confirmed.

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Step 3: Study in the GLI Learning Portal

Work through 30 structured modules and 150 lessons at your own pace, with downloadable resources and expert-designed content — all inside the LMS.

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Step 4: Pass, Get Certified & Verified

Sit your final examination online, earn your certificate instantly, and receive a globally verifiable Certificate ID — plus GLI Alumni Network access.

🎓 Enrol & Study Online — Instant Access

Secure checkout · Instant LMS access · Globally verifiable certificate

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What is the CPT certification?

The Certified Penetration Tester is a professional certification awarded by the Global Leadership Institute. It covers 20 core modules specific to Penetration Tester, culminating in the capstone “Penetration Testing Practicum”, plus 10 professional elective modules common to all GLI certifications. Candidates study through the online portal, submit the capstone project and sit a final examination; those who pass receive a verifiable certificate carrying a unique certificate ID.

Who should enrol in the CPT?

This certification is ideal for Security Officers and Supervisors, Security Managers and Consultants, Investigators and Intelligence Analysts and Loss Prevention and Protection Specialists, and other professionals seeking to formalise their expertise in security risk management, physical protection and investigations with a globally recognised credential.

How long does the CPT certification take to complete?

The programme is structured over 10 Weeks and offers flexible learning modes. Self-paced learners can progress at their own schedule, while live virtual participants follow a structured cohort schedule with facilitator-led sessions.

Is the CPT internationally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are recognised across 100+ countries and are aligned with ASIS, ISO and recognised security-management standards. Graduates receive a digital certificate, a physical certificate and CPD credits recognised by employers worldwide.

What is the cost of the CPT certification?

The Certified Penetration Tester is offered in two formats: Self-Paced at USD 349 and Live Virtual at USD 549. Corporate group rates are available for organisations enrolling 5 or more participants. Contact GLI for a bespoke corporate training quotation.

What does the CPT certification include?

Enrolment includes all study materials and study guides, access to GLI's online learning portal, online examination, digital certificate and badge, physical certificate (posted), CPD credits, GLI alumni network membership, and ongoing facilitator support.

What is the assessment format for the CPT?

The Certified Penetration Tester is assessed through an online examination consisting of multiple-choice questions, case study analysis, and practical application assignments. The assessment is designed to evaluate real-world competency, not just theoretical recall.

What CPD credits do I earn from the CPT?

The Certified Penetration Tester carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits, which can be applied towards professional body requirements including recognised international professional associations.

Can I study the CPT while working full-time?

Absolutely. The self-paced option is designed for busy working professionals and allows you to study when and where it suits you. Live virtual sessions are typically scheduled in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate professional commitments.

What career outcomes can I expect from the CPT?

Graduates progress towards senior security-management and CSO roles. The CPT strengthens your expertise in security risk management, physical protection and investigations and positions you for advancement across multinationals, NGOs and international organisations.

Graduate Voices

What Our Alumni Say

“

The curriculum was directly applicable to my daily work. I immediately applied what I learned and saw results within weeks of completing the programme.

HR Director

Private Sector

“

GLI's certification is the most practical professional programme I have attended. The international frameworks gave me credibility with my employer and clients.

People Manager

NGO Sector

“

I earned my CPT while working full-time. The self-paced format made it possible, and the quality of the content is genuinely world-class.

Talent Lead

Government

Certified Penetration Tester

Certified Penetration Tester

Certification at a Glance

Who Should Enrol?

Everything Included in Your Enrolment

Why This Certification Matters for Your Career

Core Competencies You Will Develop

Programme Modules

What You Will Achieve

How to Get Certified

Common Questions

What Our Alumni Say

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