Introduction to Penetration Testing.

Catalog description

This course introduces students to penetration testing aligned with CompTIA PenTest+ objectives and provides a hands-on, lab-based approach using Kali Linux. Students will learn the core terminology, workflows, and industry-standard tools, including Nmap, Metasploit, Wireshark, and Burp Suite, to discover and evaluate vulnerabilities across networks and web applications. Labs will be conducted in virtual environments (VirtualBox/UTM with Kali Linux and Metasploitable VMs) to ensure safety and practical experience. Students will also produce clear, concise, and professional vulnerability reports using MITRE and CVSS frameworks. Students will also explore emerging trends in AI-driven penetration testing to understand its opportunities and limitations in modern cybersecurity. Spring. Prerequisites: CIS 131 , CIS 140 , or placement.