Vulnerability Assessor – The Proactive Security Specialist

A Vulnerability Assessor is a cybersecurity professional who identifies, classifies, and prioritizes security weaknesses in systems, networks, and applications before attackers exploit them. Unlike penetration testers (who exploit flaws), assessors focus on discovery and risk analysis. 

🔍 Core Responsibilities

1. Vulnerability Scanning  

   - Run automated scans (Nessus, Qualys, OpenVAS).  

   - Identify CVEs, misconfigurations, and outdated software.  

2. Risk Assessment & Prioritization  

   - Rate vulnerabilities using CVSS scores.  

   - Focus on critical risks (e.g., RCE, SQLi).  

3. Compliance Auditing 

   - Check adherence to PCI DSS, HIPAA, NIST.  

4. Reporting & Remediation Guidance

   - Provide actionable fixes (patching, hardening). 

🛠️ Key Tools & Technologies

|    Category       |    Tools |  

|--------------------|-----------|  

|  Automated Scanners | Nessus, Qualys, OpenVAS |  

|  Cloud Security    | AWS Inspector, Azure Security Center |  

|  Patch Management  | WSUS, SCCM, Ansible |  

|  Compliance  | Nipper, Prisma Cloud |  

📈 Career Path & Certifications  

Entry-Level (0-2 years)  

- CompTIA Security+ (Fundamentals)  

- Certified Vulnerability Assessor (CVA)  

Mid-Level (2-5 years)

- CEH (Practical)  

- CISSP (Risk management focus)  

Senior-Level (5+ years)  

- CISA (Audit-focused)  

- OSCP (For transitioning to pentesting) 

💻 Skills Required

✔ Tool Mastery (Nessus, Burp Suite for web apps)  

✔ CVSS & Risk Rating (Prioritizing critical flaws)  

✔ Networking & OS Knowledge (Windows/Linux security)  

✔ Compliance Standards (PCI DSS, ISO 27001)  

✔ Scripting Basics (Python/Bash for automation) 

💰 Salary Expectations

- Junior Assessor: $70K–$90K  

- Mid-Level Assessor: $90K–$120K  

- Senior/Lead Assessor: $120K–$150K+ 

🚀 How to Start?

1. Learn Scanning Tools  

   - Install OpenVAS (free Nessus alternative).  

   - Try [Nessus Essentials](https://www.tenable.com/products/nessus/nessus-essentials) (free version).  

2. Practice Labs  

   - [TryHackMe Vulnerability Assessment Room](https://tryhackme.com/room/vulnerabilities101)  

   - [Hack The Box Challenges](https://www.hackthebox.com/) (Start with "Easy" machines).  

3. Get Certified

   - Start with Security+  , then CVA or CEH.  

4. Apply for Roles 

   - Look for Vulnerability Analyst or IT Risk Analyst jobs. 

📌 Vulnerability Assessor vs. Penetration Tester

|     Vulnerability Assessor    |     Penetration Tester   |  

|----------------------------|------------------------|  

| Finds and reports flaws | Exploits flaws for proof |  

| Automated scans + manual review | Manual exploitation |  

| Focus: Compliance, risk scoring | Focus: Attack simulation |  

| Tools: Nessus, Qualys | Tools: Metasploit, Burp Suite | 

📌 Day in the Life

- Morning: Run scans, review results.  

- Afternoon: Validate false positives, assign CVSS scores.  

- Evening: Generate reports for IT teams. 

Final Thoughts

Vulnerability assessors are the "preventive doctors" of cybersecurity—finding weaknesses before they’re exploited. Start with Security+ and Nessus , then move into risk management or pentesting.  

Want a step-by-step guide to Nessus/OpenVAS? Ask below! 🔍

Red Teamer – The Elite Offensive Security Role

A Red Teamer is an advanced cybersecurity professional who simulates real-world attacks like advanced threat actors (APT groups, nation-states) to test an organization's defenses. Unlike penetration testers (who focus on finding vulnerabilities), Red Teams emulate stealthy, targeted attacks to evade detection.  

🔥 Core Responsibilities  

1. Adversary Emulation  

   - Mimic real APTs (MITRE ATT&CK framework).  

   - Use custom malware, C2 frameworks (Cobalt Strike, Sliver).  

2. Physical & Social Engineering  

   - Phishing, USB drops, impersonation attacks.  

3. Evasion & Lateral Movement  

   - Bypass EDR/XDR, AV, and SIEM detection.  

   - Privilege escalation, domain persistence.  

4. Reporting & Purple Teaming  

   - Help Blue Team improve detection rules. 

🛠️ Top Red Team Tools

|   Category       |    Tools |  

|--------------------|-----------|  

|    Command & Control (C2) | Cobalt Strike, Mythic, Sliver |  

|    Lateral Movement    |    Mimikatz, Impacket, BloodHound |  

|    Privilege Escalation   | WinPEAS, LinPEAS, PowerUp |  

|     Evasion     | Obfuscation (Veil, Shellter), AMSI bypass |  

|     Phishing    | GoPhish, SET (Social-Engineer Toolkit) | 

📈 Career Path & Certifications

Entry-Level (0-2 years)  

- OSCP (Mandatory for offensive roles)  

- eCPPT (Practical pentesting skills)  

Mid-Level (2-5 years)  

- CRTO (Cobalt Strike Red Team Ops)  

- OSEP (Evasion & Advanced Exploitation)  

Senior-Level (5+ years)  

- CRTE (Certified Red Team Expert)  

- GXPN (Exploit Development) 

💻 Skills Required

✔ Advanced Exploitation (0-days, custom malware)  

✔ Active Directory Attacks (Golden Ticket, Kerberoasting)  

✔ AV/EDR Evasion (AMSI bypass, unhooking)  

✔ Scripting (Python, PowerShell, C#)  

✔ Physical Security Testing (RFID cloning, lockpicking)  

💰 Salary Expectations

- Junior Red Teamer: $100K–$130K  

- Senior Red Teamer: $150K–$250K+  

- Government/Contract Roles: $200K+ (TS/SCI clearance) 

🚀 How to Start?

1. Master Penetration Testing (OSCP, HTB, VulnHub)  

2. Learn C2 Frameworks (Try Cobalt Strike Trial , Sliver)  

3. Study MITRE ATT&CK (Tactics, Techniques, Procedures)  

4. Join Red Team Labs  

   - [TryHackMe Red Team Path](https://tryhackme.com/path/outline/redteaming)  

   - [Pentester Academy (Red Team Labs)](https://www.pentesteracademy.com/)  

5. Get Certified (CRTO, OSEP) 

🔴 Red Team vs. Blue Team vs. Pentester  

|  Red Team  |   Blue Team (SOC/DFIR)   |   Penetration Tester   |  

|-------------|--------------------------|-----------------------|  

| Simulates APTs | Defends against attacks | Finds vulnerabilities |  

| Stealthy, long-term engagements | Reactive, alert monitoring | Short-term, compliance-focused |  

| Tools: Cobalt Strike, Sliver | Tools: Splunk, SentinelOne | Tools: Burp Suite, Metasploit | 

📌 Day in the Life of a Red Teamer

- Morning: Check C2 implants, move laterally.  

- Afternoon: Test new evasion techniques against EDR.  

- Evening: Write covert attack reports. 

Final Thoughts

Red Teaming is the pinnacle of offensive security—requiring deep knowledge of exploitation, evasion, and adversary tactics. Start with  OSCP , move to  Cobalt Strike , and aim for OSEP/CRTO to break into elite roles.  

Want a lab guide for Red Team tactics? Let me know! 💻🔴