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.
#253 / 763
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?
Security engineer
27%
#188 / 763
View rankingSecurity engineer
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Control, the risk and the ticket.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 18% | 48% | +8.6 |
Hole, the patch and the one still open.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 40% | +6.4 |
Exception, the deadline and not leaving it for ever.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 22% | +3.5 |
Identity, the privilege and not giving admin out of habit.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 28% | +4.5 |
The business, the rush and not opening the port 'for a moment'.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 18% | 14% | +2.5 |
Close the hole, and not leaving the exception.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 12% | +1.9 |
| Total | 100% | 27% |
Modelled workweek: 100% · Public evidence: 0% · Estimate: 100% · Confidence: Low
Skills and activities
- security controls
- patches
- exceptions
- privileges
- ports
- identities
- not give admin
- holes
Sources for this job· O*NET 15-1212.00· ESCO/ISCO 2529