OSCP Alternative • Save Over $1,600

Become a Certified Network Penetration Tester.
From $84.

CNPen is a hands-on network penetration testing certification. The same practical skills employers want from an OSCP holder, at a fraction of the cost. No bundled training, Online & On-demand.

or see how it works ↓

Use code 75-OFF at checkout • Online & On-demand exam access • No scheduling required • Instant access

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101K+
Students
75+
Countries
100%
Hands-On
🛡️

Free retake included. If you don't pass the first time, sit it again at no extra cost. No $249 penalty like OSCP.

Trusted by Leading Security Experts
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HEAD-TO-HEAD

OSCP vs CNPen

A certified penetration tester credential should prove you can find and exploit real vulnerabilities. Both certifications test that. Here's what changes when you choose CNPen.

The Incumbent

OSCP

$1,749
  • 24-hour gruelling exam, tests endurance as much as skill
  • Failed? Retake costs $249+ extra
  • Results take weeks
  • Fixed scheduling, waitlists common
  • Mandatory training bundled into the price
  • Team pricing: expensive at scale
RECOMMENDED
The Smarter Choice

CNPen

$334$84
With code 75-OFF • up to 75% off on all certifications
  • Focused, real-world practical exam
  • Free retake included with every purchase
  • Results delivered as soon as you finish
  • On-demand: take it when you're ready
  • No bundled training fee, prepare your way
  • Team pricing: affordable for upskilling
Also a smart alternative to CEH ($1,199), PNPT ($299), and CREST CRT ($1,000+)

You save at least $1,600+ compared to OSCP, and get more specialisations.

Buy Now: $84 →
WHY SWITCH

Built for Real Penetration Testers

CNPen is designed and issued by The SecOps Group, a CREST-accredited security consultancy. The certification validates practical skills, not training attendance.

🎯

Real-World Scenarios

CTF-style practical exam that mimics an actual penetration testing engagement. Exploit real vulnerabilities and submit findings.

💰

A Fraction of the Cost

From $34 (Essentials) to $135 (Expert). CNPen is $84 with code 75-OFF. No bundled training you don't need.

🔄

Free Retake Included

No $249 retake fees like OSCP. Every purchase includes a free retake.

On-Demand Scheduling

Take your exam whenever you're ready. No waiting lists, no scheduling headaches, no 90-day countdown.

🏆

Employer Recognised

Used by hiring managers to assess and recruit pentesters. Trusted by security teams at Oracle and KPMG.

SIMPLE PROCESS

How to Get Certified

No course to sit through first. Buy the certification, prepare your way, and take the practical exam when you're ready.

Purchase

Pick CNPen and apply code 75-OFF for $84. Instant access.

Prepare

Study however you like, self-study, labs, books. We don't lock you into our training.

Take the Exam

Hands-on, timed practical. Find and exploit real vulnerabilities in a live lab.

Get Certified

Get instant results, and earn your certification.

EXAM DETAILS

What's Inside the CNPen Exam

CNPen is an intermediate-level, 4-hour practical exam. You connect to a live VPN lab, solve a series of challenges, exploit real vulnerabilities, and capture flags. Here's exactly what it covers.

4 hrs
Practical exam
60%
To pass (75% merit)
Online
On-demand, anywhere
No expiry
Certificate never expires

Full Exam Syllabus

01Common OSINT Techniques
02Network Mapping and Target Identification
03Brute-Force Attacks
04Vulnerability Identification and Exploitation Using Common Hacking Tools
05Application Server Flaws
06Insecure Protocols
07*nix Vulnerabilities
08Insecure File Permissions
09Security Misconfigurations Leading to Privilege Escalation
10Windows Active Directory Attacks (On-Premise)
11OS Credential Dumping and Replay
12Kerberoasting; Golden and Silver Tickets
13Password Attacks and Password Cracking
14Administrative Shares Exploitation
15Common Security Weaknesses Affecting Cloud Services
16Persistence Techniques
17Lateral Movements
Sample Question

Exploit a weakness within the Tomcat server and read the contents of the file "c:\flag.txt" on the Tomcat host. Provide the value of the flag.

Who it's for: pentesters, security architects, SOC analysts, and red/blue team members. Recommended: around two years of hands-on pentesting or bug-bounty experience. No AI tools are permitted during the exam.

TRUSTED GLOBALLY

What Candidates Say

★★★★★

""I am pleased to announce that I am now Certified Network Pentester by The SecOps Group. The exam lasts 4 hours and consists of 15 practice questions that must be answered. This can range from operating a #webapp through open source #OSINT research and then ending with enumeration and operation on an Active Directory domain.""

Quentin S
Quentin S
Tests d'intrusion | OSINT | GEOINT | Synoslabs | CNPen
★★★★★

""I was able to take advantage of the The SecOps Group sale on pen testing exams the other day and decided to give this one a go with no study time... That was a mistake!! Needless to say I was sweating bullets towards the end of it. Overall a great exam experience and would highly recommend to those that are looking to demonstrate their network penetration testing knowledge.""

Mason Schmidt
Mason Schmidt
Senior Penetration Tester | CNPen
★★★★★

""I've successfully earned the CNPen certification from The SecOps Group! This journey has sharpened my skills across a broad spectrum of cybersecurity domains, including: OSINT Techniques & Network Mapping, Brute-force & Vulnerability Exploitation, Unix/Linux & Windows Vulnerabilities, Credential Security, Advanced Attack Strategies, Network Defense.""

Rodolphe Ghio
Rodolphe Ghio
App Security Engineer @ Squad for CMA-CGM | CNPen
Trusted by Leading Security Experts
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QUESTIONS

Most Candidates Wonder

Is CNPen a good OSCP alternative?
Yes. CNPen tests the same practical network penetration testing skills as OSCP, finding and exploiting real vulnerabilities without the mandatory training bundle or the $1,749 price tag. It's $84 with code 75-OFF.
What does the certified penetration tester exam involve?
A timed, hands-on practical exam in a live lab. You'll find real vulnerabilities, exploit systems, and submit the flag. No multiple choice, no theory padding.
Do I have to buy training to take the certification?
No. Unlike OSCP, we don't bundle mandatory training. You prepare however you choose, self-study, practice labs, books, courses, and sit the exam when you're ready. You only pay for the certification.
How much does it cost and what's included?
CNPen is $84 with code 75-OFF (normally $334). That includes the practical exam, a free retake, instant results, and on-demand scheduling. Essentials-tier certifications start from $34.
Is the certification recognised by employers?
Yes. Our certifications are used by hiring managers to assess and recruit penetration testers, and trusted by security teams at Oracle, KPMG, and Microsoft. CNPen proves hands-on ability, which is what employers screen for.
What if I fail the exam?
Every purchase includes a free retake, so there's no $249 penalty like OSCP charges. You can prepare further and try again at no extra cost.

Stop Overpaying for Pentest Certs

Join 101,000+ students who chose the smarter path. Become a certified penetration tester for $84 with code 75-OFF.
Note: The CNPen exam is also listed in the preferred pathway for SynAck’s SRT criteria.

Online & On-demand • Free retake • Instant results

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