“Penetration testing, if done right, is a proven and valuable activity that all organizations should engage in,” said Dr. James Stanger, chief technology evangelist at CompTIA. “Unfortunately pen tests are too often done by rote simply to check a box on a compliance form.

“The true value of a pen test occurs when the testers have adequate skills, and when additional security teams use the pen test results to improve procedures and security controls,” Stanger continued. “Our challenge is designed to provide cybersecurity pros with a chance to hone their pen testing skills and have some fun at the same time.”

"It's great to partner with a such a respected training and global certification provider,” said James Hadley, CEO of Immersive Labs. “We want our gamified and intelligence powered labs to inspire the continuous development of cyber security professionals.”

The CompTIA / Immersive Labs Pen Test Challenge is open to anyone over the age of 18 residing in the U.S. or UK. Visit here to enter the competition and receive a verification email with instructions on how to log in to the Immersive Labs platform to begin the challenge.

Once registered, all participants are automatically entered into a prize drawing. Two winners will be selected by random draw performed by a computer process after the close of the competition on Friday, March24.

Winners will have their choice of:

• The CompTIA Pentest+ Bundle, including CertMaster Learn, a comprehensive, self-paced eLearning program for exam preparation that uses videos, assessment and performance-based questions; CertMaster Practice, and adaptive knowledge assessment that determines what you’ve already mastered and what you still need to learn to improve confidence and increase retention before taking an exam; and an exam voucher, or
• A CompTIA Certification Exam Voucher for the certification of their choice.

Winners will be notified by email. Prizes are non-exchangeable, no-transferable and no cash alternate is offered.