Level up your cybersecurity credentials with OSCP Plus—an enhanced certification focusing on advanced pentesting and real-world threat emulation.
The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, with threats becoming more sophisticated and attackers more cunning. As a result, professionals need advanced certifications to demonstrate their capability to defend and counter these challenges. One such high-level certification gaining attention is OSCP Plus.
An advanced variant or supplementary credential to the well-established Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification, OSCP Plus is designed for individuals who want to elevate their ethical hacking and penetration testing skills to an elite level. This blog will explore what OSCP Plus entails, who it’s for, its benefits, how to prepare, and why it could be the next critical step in your cybersecurity journey.
What is OSCP Plus?
OSCP Plus is an advanced credential or an unofficial term used by many in the community to refer to enhanced OSCP skills that go beyond the standard certification. While Offensive Security itself has not formally released a certification titled “OSCP Plus,” the term has gained traction in forums and training institutes to refer to extended OSCP-style training that includes more in-depth red teaming, evasion techniques, and post-exploitation strategies.
In some cases, OSCP Plus is a nickname for completing OSCP along with supplementary Offensive Security courses like:
- Offensive Security Experienced Penetration Tester (OSEP)
- Offensive Security Web Expert (OSWE)
- Offensive Security Exploit Developer (OSED)
When grouped together, these certifications—or their advanced skill sets—create a comprehensive hacking portfolio often referred to in job listings or training programs as “OSCP Plus.”
Why OSCP Plus Matters in Today’s Cybersecurity Landscape
The standard OSCP is known for its rigorous 24-hour exam and hands-on penetration testing labs. It demonstrates that a candidate can think like a hacker and break into systems in a controlled, ethical environment. However, as enterprises move to more secure and complex infrastructures, having only OSCP might not be enough.
Here’s where OSCP Plus comes in:
- Advanced Threat Simulation: OSCP Plus prepares professionals to simulate more realistic, stealthier attack scenarios.
- Post-Exploitation Mastery: Going beyond just gaining access, OSCP Plus focuses on maintaining persistence, lateral movement, and exfiltration.
- Bypassing Modern Defenses: Learn to evade antivirus, EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response), and network security monitoring systems.
- Red Teaming Skills: Perfect for professionals aspiring to work in red team roles where strategy, stealth, and sophistication matter.
Key Skills Covered in OSCP Plus Training
If you're considering enrolling in an OSCP Plus course or creating your own learning path, here are the critical skills and concepts typically covered:
1. Active Directory Penetration Testing
- Enumeration of AD environments
- Kerberos exploitation (Kerberoasting, AS-REP Roasting)
- Lateral movement using PsExec, WinRM, WMI
2. Advanced Post-Exploitation Techniques
- Credential harvesting and token impersonation
- Maintaining access via backdoors and persistence mechanisms
- Privilege escalation using kernel exploits
3. Evasion Techniques
- AV and EDR bypass using shellcode injection
- Obfuscation and encoding of payloads
- Living off the Land Binaries (LOLBins)
4. Custom Exploit Development
- Understanding buffer overflows and format string vulnerabilities
- Writing custom Metasploit modules
- Introduction to reverse engineering and malware analysis
5. Web Application Attacks (Advanced)
- Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
- Business logic flaws
- API abuse and web services exploitation
Who Should Pursue OSCP Plus?
Not everyone needs to pursue OSCP Plus, but it is ideal for:
- Experienced Penetration Testers: Professionals who already hold OSCP and want to specialize further.
- Red Team Members: Individuals working in red teaming or offensive security simulation.
- Cybersecurity Consultants: Experts who provide threat modeling and vulnerability assessments to large organizations.
- Security Researchers: Those interested in developing zero-day exploits and publishing security research.
How to Prepare for OSCP Plus
Preparation for OSCP Plus requires both strategic study and practical experience. Here are some steps to help you prepare effectively:
1. Solidify OSCP Foundations
Ensure you have mastered basic topics such as enumeration, privilege escalation, buffer overflows, and pivoting.
2. Advance to OSEP and OSWE
Take up training courses like:
- OSEP (Offensive Security Experienced Penetration Tester)
- OSWE (Offensive Security Web Expert)
- OSED (Exploit Developer)
These are often seen as the building blocks of an OSCP Plus skillset.
3. Practice on Advanced Labs
Platforms like Hack The Box (HTB), TryHackMe (THM), and Proving Grounds offer realistic red team labs that mimic enterprise environments.
4. Use Real-World Tools
Familiarize yourself with tools like:
- Cobalt Strike (or Sliver as a free alternative)
- Empire and Covenant for command and control
- Custom payload builders like Donut and Shellter
5. Stay Updated
Subscribe to security blogs, follow researchers on X (formerly Twitter), and attend conferences like DEF CON, Black Hat, and OffensiveCon.
Benefits of OSCP Plus Certification
Adding OSCP Plus to your resume comes with a wide range of advantages:
- Career Advancement: Open doors to red team, lead pen tester, or security consultant roles.
- Higher Salary Potential: OSCP Plus holders often command salaries 25–40% higher than OSCP-only professionals.
- Industry Recognition: Demonstrates commitment and capability in advanced security engagements.
- Enhanced Problem-Solving: Trains your mind to think critically and creatively under pressure.
Where to Find OSCP Plus Training
Though not an official Offensive Security certification, several training institutes and platforms offer OSCP Plus-style courses, including:
- Pentester Academy: Red team labs and AD-focused training
- TCM Security: Offers a practical path from OSCP to advanced pentesting
- Hack The Box Academy: Structured learning modules tailored for post-OSCP learners
- INE: Offers advanced penetration testing and exploit development tracks
Always ensure that your training provider is reputable and provides hands-on labs for realistic practice.
Final Thoughts: Why OSCP Plus is the Future of Cybersecurity Training
With the increasing demand for highly skilled offensive security professionals, certifications and skill sets like OSCP Plus are becoming a benchmark for excellence. Whether you're looking to secure a high-paying job, improve your red team capabilities, or stay ahead of the cyber threat curve, OSCP Plus is the logical next step after OSCP.
This advanced approach not only hones your technical abilities but also positions you as a leader in ethical hacking and penetration testing.
Conclusion: Take Your Career Beyond OSCP with OSCP Plus
If you’re already OSCP certified and hungry for more, OSCP Plus offers the challenge and career advancement you need. With a deeper focus on post-exploitation, evasion, and red teaming, this skill set can significantly boost your value in the cybersecurity job market. As cyber threats grow more complex, the need for experts trained at the OSCP Plus level becomes more critical than ever.
Invest in your future, sharpen your skills, and join the elite ranks with OSCP Plus.
