#56 Beyond Certs: The Skills That Actually Matter in Pentesting ft. Nick Aures

The Hacker's Cache

In this episode of The Hacker’s Cache, senior penetration tester and red teamer Nick Aures shares the skills and habits that matter most in pentesting beyond certifications. We discuss real-world experiences from breaking into the field to finding critical vulnerabilities in companies like Tesla, USAA, and Asana. Nick reveals why strong communication, report writing, and client relationships are just as essential as technical skills, along with insights into bug bounty hunting, red teaming, and common security blind spots. Whether you’re aspiring to become a pentester or looking to sharpen your skills, this conversation delivers practical advice and insider knowledge to help you stand out in the cybersecurity industry.

Connect with Nick Aures on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-aures-5a1a10bb/

Connect
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Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Attention Listeners: This content is strictly for educational purposes, emphasizing ETHICAL and LEGAL hacking only. I do not, and will NEVER, condone the act of illegally hacking into computer systems and networks for any reason. My goal is to foster cybersecurity awareness and responsible digital behavior. Please behave responsibly and adhere to legal and ethical standards in your use of this information.
Opinions are my own and may not represent the positions of my employer.

فصول

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Motivation to Self-Study and Job Satisfaction (00:05:45)

3. Security Mad Libs (00:09:49)

4. The Tool We Secretly Hate Using (00:12:49)

5. How to Be a Successful Bug Bounty Hunter (00:15:28)

6. Passionate Speaking Topics (00:18:19)

7. Common Blind Spots in Offensive Security (00:21:38)

8. Common Blind Spots in Offensive Security (00:21:38)

9. What Skills and Habits Are More Important Than Certs? (00:27:40)

10. Final Hot Take (00:32:53)