Offensive Security Certified Professional aka OSCP

[jackal]

For those of you that are interested in the field of security/pen-testing I strongly recommend the captioned course. It is offered by the makers of BackTrack which is a very popular pen testing tool.

For more information
http://www.offensive-security.com/offsec101.php

The course puts other certs like the CEH/Security + etc to shame. So for example during school you would have read about buffer overflows well in this course you actually do it. You actually open up your debugger and attach the process you are trying to break. You then actually get into assembly as in overwriting EIP doing JMP ESP's etc.

The final challenge is not a crappy multiple choice exam for which you can simply cram or buy a study aid. Instead the exam last for 24 hrs. You basically connect to a network where you find machines you are seeing for the first time. You then have to gain root or NT SYSTEM using the skillz you gained during the course. The boxes are not some lame boxes either.

If you are interested in this sort of thing check it out. If you want more info you can pm me.

The course is the REAL DEAL

[Utech22]

The prices for these types of courses are usually high and target a certain group;

[BlackCryptoKnight]

Jackal, what is the cost for the course and the exam?

[jackal]

Agreed. The first thing that will catch you is the price as it is really affordable.
That's a decision they took as they believe security training should not be expensive. Having said that though if you went to a session with these guys and did the same course aka ILT(Instructor Lead Training) the cost is like 3-4g's US.

The course also does not come with support. So there is no spoon feeding. You have access to an irc channel where you can bounce ideas off other students.You also have access to a student forum. But they encourage you to do research on your own. This can be real frustrating at times.Most times you will get TRY HARDER from them.

You can find several videos of the guys who presents the course on line at security conferences demonstrating some SERIOUS buffer overflows etc.

BTW BackTrack4 beta is out!!!

[jackal]

Jackal, what is the cost for the course and the exam?

Depends on the amount of lab time you are signing up for.
Package deal- Offsec 101 v.2.0 + 60 days lab access + certification $700
Package deal- Offsec 101 v.2.0 + 30 days lab access + certification $550
Labs - extension of 30 days access $200

[jackal]

The prices for these types of courses are usually high and target a certain group;

This is their response to that question

Why are your courses so cheap ? Company XXX charges 2500$ for a similar course (We actually get asked this a lot.)

"Offensive Security" courses maintain the developers of BackTrack. We believe Security education doesn't need to cost a fortune. Simple as that.