Automation index
How much of a Penetration tester’s job can AI already do?
A scan and a template report come earlier. Finding the weird chain, and not taking production down, do not.
This percentage does not predict how many people will lose their jobs.
Task comparison
IS WORK OVER?
Penetration tester
26%
AI can already do 26% of this job.
#207 / 633
View rankingPenetration tester
Where the time goes
Task weights are our estimates based on O*NET frequency data, not time shares published by O*NET.
The time saving for each task is estimated separately.
| Task | Share | AI | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
Recon, scans and enumeration.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 20% | 42% | +8.4 |
Write the report, evidence and CVSS.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 18% | 38% | +6.8 |
Exploit with judgment and not break the business.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 18% | 18% | +3.2 |
Debrief with the client and retest.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 15% | +2.4 |
Choose scope, rules and what is off limits.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 14% | 16% | +2.2 |
Research 0-days, labs and keep the craft.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 14% | 18% | +2.5 |
| Total | 100% | 25% |
Modelled workweek: 100% · Public evidence: 0% · Estimate: 100% · Confidence: Low
Skills and activities
- Recon, scans and enumeration
- Write the report, evidence and CVSS
- Debrief with the client and retest
- Choose scope, rules and what is off limits
- Research 0-days, labs and keep the craft
- pentester
- ethical hacker
- pentest
Sources for this job· O*NET 15-1212.00· ESCO/ISCO 2529
IS WORK OVER?
Research scientist
27%
#139 / 633
View rankingResearch scientist
Where the time goes
Task weights are our estimates based on O*NET frequency data, not time shares published by O*NET.
The time saving for each task is estimated separately.
| Task | Share | AI | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
Literature review, figures and drafts.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 22% | 48% | +10.6 |
Analysis, code and experiment boards.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 18% | 42% | +7.6 |
Design the study and the controls.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 18% | +2.9 |
Run the experiment or the fieldwork.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 12% | +1.9 |
Lead a group, theses and authorship fights.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 14% | 15% | +2.1 |
Win funding and answer reviewers.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 14% | 16% | +2.2 |
| Total | 100% | 27% |
Modelled workweek: 100% · Public evidence: 0% · Estimate: 100% · Confidence: Low
Skills and activities
- Literature review, figures and drafts
- Analysis, code and experiment boards
- Design the study and the controls
- Run the experiment or the fieldwork
- Lead a group, theses and authorship fights
- Win funding and answer reviewers
- cientifico
- investigador
- research scientist
Sources for this job· O*NET 19-1029.00· ESCO/ISCO 2131