What is the OSCP certification?

The OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional) certification is a professional certification in the field of information security. It is offered by Offensive Security, a provider of IT security trainings.

The goal of the OSCP certification is to validate the skills and knowledge of IT security professionals in conducting penetration tests and identifying vulnerabilities in IT systems. The exam consists of a 24-hour practical challenge in which participants must find and exploit vulnerabilities in a lab environment.

However, the technical challenges in the exam often seem a bit very contrived and consist more of "catpure the flag" tasks. Conducting a realistic and professional penetration test is not required here.

The OSCP certification is nevertheless respected by many employers and clients and is often required as proof of practical skills and knowledge in performing penetration tests.