Penetration Tester vs. Malware Reverse Engineer

Penetration Tester vs Malware Reverse Engineer: A Detailed Comparison

4 min read · Dec. 6, 2023

Career

Penetration Tester vs. Malware Reverse Engineer

Definitions
Responsibilities
Required Skills
Educational Backgrounds
Tools and Software Used
Common Industries
Outlooks
Practical Tips for Getting Started
Conclusion

Are you interested in a career in the cybersecurity industry but unsure which path to take? Two popular career options are Penetration Tester and Malware Reverse Engineer. While both roles fall under the umbrella of cybersecurity, they have distinct differences in terms of responsibilities, required skills, educational backgrounds, tools and software used, common industries, outlooks, and practical tips for getting started in these careers. In this article, we will provide a detailed comparison of these two roles to help you make an informed decision.

Definitions

A Penetration Tester, also known as an Ethical Hacker, is a cybersecurity professional who attempts to identify and Exploit Vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications to help organizations improve their security posture. The goal of a Penetration Tester is to simulate a real-world attack and provide a detailed report of their findings to the organization.

A Malware Reverse Engineer, on the other hand, is a cybersecurity professional who analyzes malware to understand how it works and identify its capabilities. They use various tools and techniques to reverse engineer the malware's code and behavior to determine its purpose, origin, and potential impact. The goal of a Malware Reverse Engineer is to develop countermeasures to protect against future attacks and help organizations respond to ongoing attacks.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of a Penetration Tester include:

Conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration testing on computer systems, networks, and applications
Identifying and exploiting Vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to systems and data
Providing detailed reports of findings and recommendations for remediation
Collaborating with other cybersecurity professionals to improve overall security posture
Staying up-to-date with the latest security trends and techniques

The responsibilities of a Malware Reverse Engineer include:

Analyzing malware samples to determine their purpose, origin, and potential impact
Reverse engineering malware code and behavior to identify its capabilities and weaknesses
Developing and implementing countermeasures to protect against future attacks
Collaborating with other cybersecurity professionals to respond to ongoing attacks
Staying up-to-date with the latest malware trends and techniques

Required Skills

The required skills for a Penetration Tester include:

Strong knowledge of computer systems, networks, and applications
Knowledge of common vulnerabilities and Exploits
Experience with penetration testing tools and techniques
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team

The required skills for a Malware Reverse Engineer include:

Strong knowledge of computer systems and programming languages
Experience with malware analysis tools and techniques
Knowledge of malware behavior and capabilities
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Educational Backgrounds

A typical educational background for a Penetration Tester includes a degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or Cybersecurity. Relevant certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive security Certified Professional (OSCP), or GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) are also highly valued.

A typical educational background for a Malware Reverse Engineer includes a degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or Cybersecurity. Relevant certifications such as Certified Reverse Engineering Analyst (CREA) or GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM) are also highly valued.

Tools and Software Used

The tools and software used by a Penetration Tester include:

The tools and software used by a Malware Reverse Engineer include:

IDA Pro
OllyDbg
Ghidra
PEiD
Wireshark
VirusTotal

Common Industries

Penetration Testers are in high demand in industries such as Finance, healthcare, retail, and government. Any organization that stores sensitive data or has a large online presence can benefit from the services of a Penetration Tester.

Malware Reverse Engineers are in high demand in industries such as cybersecurity consulting, government, and defense. Any organization that has been the victim of a malware attack or wants to improve their malware detection and response capabilities can benefit from the services of a Malware Reverse Engineer.

Outlooks

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of Information Security Analysts, which includes Penetration Testers, is projected to grow 31 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber attacks.

The outlook for Malware Reverse Engineers is also positive, as the threat of malware attacks continues to rise. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, global spending on cybersecurity products and services is expected to exceed $1 trillion cumulatively from 2017 to 2021.