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?
University professor
24%
#278 / 633
View rankingUniversity professor
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Prep materials, tests and rubrics.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 20% | 45% | +9 |
Papers, grants and reviews.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 38% | +6.1 |
Teach and tutor.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 20% | 12% | +2.4 |
Supervise theses and examine.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 16% | 15% | +2.4 |
Department meetings and academic admin.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 14% | 14% | +2 |
Actually research and choose the problem.EstimateNo public source provides a precise figure. This is our estimate. | 14% | 16% | +2.2 |
| Total | 100% | 24% |
Modelled workweek: 100% · Public evidence: 0% · Estimate: 100% · Confidence: Low
Skills and activities
- teach class
- mark students
- lesson plans
- teach
- Prep materials, tests and rubrics
- Papers, grants and reviews
- Teach and tutor
- Supervise theses and examine
- Department meetings and academic admin
- Actually research and choose the problem
Sources for this job· O*NET 25-1081.00· ESCO/ISCO 2310