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💻 Information Technology  ·  Executive

Certified Penetration Testing Expert

Online Certification  ·  12 Week  ·  Globally Recognised  ·  (CPEN2)

✅ 2026 Edition 🎓 CPD Accredited 🌍 100+ Countries 📜 Digital + Physical Certificate 100% Online
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Executive Summary

Certified Penetration Testing Expert

Designed for today’s high-impact professionals, the Certified Penetration Testing Expert (CPEN2) delivers a rigorous Executive-level curriculum that equips participants with the knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to excel in information technology, software, data and digital systems.

This 12 Week programme is structured around ITIL, ISO/IEC and recognised technology and cybersecurity standards, ensuring every graduate applies internationally validated methods to real-world challenges.

GLI’s CPEN2 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 Testing Expert
Acronym
CPEN2
Category
Information Technology
Level
Executive
Duration
12 Week
Delivery Mode
100% Online
Assessment
Online Examination
Certificate
Digital + Physical
CPD Eligibility
CPD Accredited
Alumni Benefits
GLI Network Access
Self-Paced
USD 399
Live Virtual
USD 599
Target Audience

Who Should Enrol?

  • IT and Systems Professionals
  • Software Developers and Engineers
  • Data and Analytics Specialists
  • IT Managers and Solution Architects
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 engineering, architecture and IT leadership roles
Professional Recognition
Credential aligned with ITIL, ISO/IEC and recognised technology and cybersecurity standards
Operational Excellence
Apply world-class frameworks to improve performance and outcomes
Strategic Thinking
Develop the analytical and strategic skills demanded at the executive level
Compliance Readiness
Master the standards, compliance and ethical governance central to information technology
Global Employability
Qualify for information technology roles across technology firms, corporates, startups and public institutions worldwide
Competency Framework

Core Competencies You Will Develop

✦Advanced Penetration Testing Architecture
✦Web Application Exploitation
✦Privilege Escalation
✦Cloud Security Testing
✦Social Engineering Testing
✦Adversary Simulation
Course Curriculum

Programme Modules

The full programme, module by module.

Core CurriculumModules 1–20 · specific to Certified Penetration Testing Expert · module 20 is the capstone
1
Advanced Penetration Testing Architecture
Security assessment, vulnerability management and remediation · Testing strategy: what to test and at which level · Penetration testing basics · Testing, QA and test automation
2
Advanced Reconnaissance
Software design patterns and quality · Software architecture and design decisions · Incident response and running software in production · Stress testing and scenario analysis
3
Network Enumeration
Application and network security · Compliance monitoring and testing · Control testing and evidence · Designing and testing a compliance programme
4
Web Application Exploitation
Data, records and confidentiality tech · Project management software and tools · Project data, reporting and analytics · Data quality and governance
5
API Security Testing
Risk, security and feasibility analysis · Security operations and incident response · Risk management and security frameworks · Security awareness and human factors
6
Active Directory Assessment
Organisational maturity, assessment and improvement programmes · Security maturity assessment · Threat and risk assessment · Security risk assessment: threat, vulnerability and consequence
7
Privilege Escalation
Statistics and exploratory data analysis · Dashboards and data storytelling · Data products and stakeholder value · Data literacy and adoption
8
Exploit Development Concepts
Data and information requirements · Data structures and algorithms · Software development lifecycle (SDLC) · Reasoning with data: statistics, metrics and misleading figures
9
Wireless Penetration Testing
Financial storytelling and data visualisation · Data-driven and real-time finance · Data ethics and privacy in finance · Data gathering and financial analysis
10
Cloud Security Testing
Cloud, infrastructure and the operating decisions behind them · Cloud security and identity · Cloud architecture, cost and operations · Continuous improvement in security
11
Container Security Testing
Security lighting and CPTED · Security operations management · Security programme design and budgeting · Security metrics and reporting
12
Mobile Security Testing
Travel security and duty of care to mobile staff · Web and mobile application development · Microlearning and mobile learning · Security governance: policy, accountability and board reporting
13
Social Engineering Testing
Requirements engineering and user stories · Feature engineering and selection · Data pipelines and data engineering · Social and collaborative learning
14
Post-Exploitation
Data-informed and evidence-based decisions · Data literacy and analytics for leaders · Measuring the process: data, capability and measurement systems · Collecting field data: instruments, enumerators and the realities of the field
15
Lateral Movement
Data governance, privacy and protection by design · Data, analytics and AI strategy · ESG data and assurance: making sustainability numbers reliable · Data quality and the fitness-for-purpose test
16
Adversary Simulation
Deep learning and neural networks · Natural language processing · Model deployment and MLOps · Responsible and explainable AI
17
Evidence Collection
Secure coding practices · Documentation and maintainability · Governance, compliance and standards (ISO 27001) · Emerging threats and defensive strategy
18
Penetration Testing Reporting
Evaluation use: reporting findings that change decisions · Dashboards and reporting · Scaling learning across the organisation · Future of work and reskilling
19
Remediation Validation
E-learning authoring and development · Learning management systems (LMS) · Multimedia and video for learning · Gamification and interactive design
20
Advanced Penetration Testing Capstone
Capstone scoping: a real technology problem · Academic and training administration · Budgeting and resource management · Vendor and faculty management
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 · What critical reasoning is and what it is not · 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

  • Establish a comprehensive understanding of Certified Penetration Testing Expert principles aligned with ITIL, ISO/IEC and recognised technology and cybersecurity standards
  • Apply evidence-based methods to improve information technology, software, data and digital systems
  • Master systems, architecture and infrastructure and software development and application delivery
  • Apply data, analytics and emerging technologies and networks, cloud and platform engineering in real-world settings
  • Lead risk management, quality and compliance relevant to your field
  • Design stakeholder engagement and professional communication strategies
  • Use data-driven decision-making and performance-measurement tools effectively
  • Apply internationally recognised best practice to advance your career in information technology
Enrolment Process

How to Get Certified

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Step 3: Study in the GLI Learning Portal
Work through 15 structured modules and 75 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.
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Secure checkout · Instant LMS access · Globally verifiable certificate
Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

What is the CPEN2 certification?

The Certified Penetration Testing Expert is a professional certification awarded by the Global Leadership Institute. It covers 20 core modules specific to Penetration Testing Expert, culminating in the capstone “Advanced Penetration Testing Capstone”, 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 CPEN2?

This certification is ideal for IT and Systems Professionals, Software Developers and Engineers, Data and Analytics Specialists and IT Managers and Solution Architects, and other professionals seeking to formalise their expertise in information technology, software, data and digital systems with a globally recognised credential.

How long does the CPEN2 certification take to complete?

The programme is structured over 12 Week 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 CPEN2 internationally recognised?

Yes. GLI certifications are recognised across 100+ countries and are aligned with ITIL, ISO/IEC and recognised technology and cybersecurity standards. Graduates receive a digital certificate, a physical certificate and CPD credits recognised by employers worldwide.

What is the cost of the CPEN2 certification?

The Certified Penetration Testing Expert is offered in two formats: Self-Paced at USD 399 and Live Virtual at USD 599. Corporate group rates are available for organisations enrolling 5 or more participants. Contact GLI for a bespoke corporate training quotation.

What does the CPEN2 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 CPEN2?

The Certified Penetration Testing Expert 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 CPEN2?

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

Can I study the CPEN2 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 CPEN2?

Graduates progress towards senior engineering, architecture and IT leadership roles. The CPEN2 strengthens your expertise in information technology, software, data and digital systems and positions you for advancement across technology firms, corporates, startups and public institutions.

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.

IT 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.

Solutions Architect
NGO Sector
“

I earned my CPEN2 while working full-time. The self-paced format made it possible, and the quality of the content is genuinely world-class.

Data Lead
Government
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