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I am working with a security organisation as a developer, recently in spare time, i found some vulnerabilities in our products, i reaction to this, there is a team being setup for pentesting, and they are asking if i am willing to join this new team.

I am confused on this, from career and growth perspective. By the way i am interested in development, i work on C/C++/Assembly windows, and personally i am also interested in hacking and finding new vulnerabilities as a hobby.

I need some suggestions, pros and cons, so that i can take some decision.

AviD
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51k
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  • Having a developing background is a big pro. While performing a pentest you can see things from a developers perspective and thus know how they build things.

    Another pro is that you can develop tools you use in order to perform these pentests (at least that's what I do)

    A con (or another pro, depends I guess) could be that you don't full time develop anymore.

    In my opinion the better pentesters have a good developing background.

    Good luck in making a decision.

     – Jeroen Dec 03 '14 at 06:59
  • For the people who are down voting, may i ask you the reason for the down vote. – 51k Dec 03 '14 at 08:35
  • you might be interested in http://security.stackexchange.com/q/3772/33 for context. – AviD Dec 03 '14 at 09:10

1 Answers1

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IMHO:

As a pentester:

  • You need to be updated every day, security field changes a lot, much more than others;
  • If you like to break things and "hack the planet", you will be fascinated with this world;
  • In times of Snowden, the security career is in evidence.

As a developer:

  • You can create things and can see them "alive";
  • Is easier to find help, because is a more common career;

I love the security field, but I can not say to you that it is better than others, depends on the company you work and on your commitment and passion.

Like @Jeroen - IT Nerdbox said:

In my opinion the better pentesters have a good developing background.

I agree.

Lucas NN
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