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With cyber threats continuously evolving and expanding across applications and cloud environments, cybersecurity professionals need highly specialized skills. The Check Point Certified PenTesting Expert (CCPE) certifications, specifically 156-405 (CCPE-A) for Application Security and 156-406 (CCPE-C) for Cloud Security, are tailored to equip penetration testers and security engineers with hands-on expertise to defend modern environments.
This exam focuses on application security testing with a strong emphasis on identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications and APIs. Candidates learn how attackers exploit insecure coding practices and how to build secure code to mitigate such threats.
Key Topics
OWASP Top 10
Secure development practices (DevSecOps)
Static and dynamic code analysis
API security testing
Threat modeling and secure SDLC
Hands-on penetration testing techniques
Target Audience
Developers
AppSec Engineers
Penetration Testers
Security Consultants involved in secure software development
This exam targets cloud penetration testing skills across AWS, Azure, and other public cloud platforms. It focuses on exploiting misconfigurations, understanding cloud-native threats, and performing red team assessments in cloud environments.
Key Topics
Cloud architecture (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
IAM and privilege escalation
Container and Kubernetes security
Serverless vulnerabilities
Cloud misconfiguration exploitation
Red teaming in cloud environments
Target Audience
Cloud Security Professionals
Red Teamers
Penetration Testers
DevSecOps and SRE professionals
Recommended Prerequisites Solid understanding of networking, system administration, and basic scripting Hands-on experience with penetration testing tools (Burp Suite, Metasploit, etc.) Familiarity with cloud platforms (for CCPE-C) or development frameworks (for CCPE-A)
Study Resources Official Check Point Training: Instructor-led courses available via Check Point ATCs (Authorized Training Centers) Hands-on Labs: Simulated lab environments for practical experience OWASP Resources: Especially important for the CCPE-A exam Cloud Provider Documentation: AWS, Azure, and GCP whitepapers and security best practices
Tools to Know
For CCPE-A: Burp Suite, ZAP, Postman, Git, Jenkins
For CCPE-C: ScoutSuite, Prowler, Pacu, kube-hunter, Cloudsplaining
Practice Engage in Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges Use cloud pentesting playgrounds (like Hack The Box, AWS Goats) Try Check Point’s cyber range environments for realistic simulations
Career Boost Earning the CCPE-A or CCPE-C certification signals a specialized skill set in two of the most in-demand areas: AppSec and Cloud Security.
Hands-On Mastery These certifications are practical, scenario-based, and not just theoretical, making you job-ready and competent in real-world threat scenarios.
Vendor Recognition Backed by Check Point, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, these certifications carry strong industry credibility.
Compliance and Risk Reduction Certified professionals help organizations meet compliance mandates and improve security posture by proactively identifying and mitigating risks.
High Demand for Skills With cloud adoption accelerating and AppSec threats on the rise, professionals certified in these areas are among the most sought-after in cybersecurity.
The CCPE-A (156-405) and CCPE-C (156-406) certifications from Check Point are more than just credentials - they are a testament to your deep, technical expertise in offensive security practices tailored for developers and cloud professionals. Whether you're a penetration tester, developer, or security engineer, these certifications can fast-track your career in today's complex threat landscape.
