Centri launches first offensive security certification

Centri has entered offensive security with CPTA, a new practical penetration testing certification launching Sept. 8, 2026. The program is aimed at building hands-on skills for aspiring testers and helping security teams better understand and stop attacks.

Why it matters: - CPTA is Centri’s first offensive cybersecurity certification, marking a shift beyond defensive training. - The certification is designed to help narrow the cybersecurity skills gap by building practical penetration testing capability. - Stronger offensive skills can also improve defensive work by helping analysts understand attacker techniques, detection points and response options.

What happened: - Centri launched the Certified Penetration Testing Associate, or CPTA, on Sept. 8, 2026. - The certification became available from UTC 14:00 on 8 September 2026. - Centri positions CPTA as a practical path for people starting a penetration testing career and for existing cybersecurity professionals who want offensive experience.

The details: - CPTA covers the full penetration testing process, from planning and scoping through vulnerability discovery, exploitation, reporting and retesting. - Training includes enterprise infrastructure, Active Directory, web applications and AWS cloud environments. - The curriculum covers vulnerability assessment, privilege escalation and lateral movement. - The certification includes more than 600 lessons, quizzes and practical activities. - Learners get access to more than 60 hands-on labs and realistic scenarios. - The program ends with a three-part practical exam that tests skills in realistic penetration testing scenarios. - Centri says the course is intended to build broader offensive capability across security teams while also strengthening defensive capability. - More information is available on Centri’s social media page.

Between the lines: - Centri is framing offensive security as a practical complement to defense, not a niche specialty. - The launch reflects growing demand for training that goes beyond theory and tests whether learners can apply skills under realistic conditions. - By packaging offensive skills into a certification, Centri is also signaling a broader expansion of its cybersecurity training business.

What's next: - Centri will likely use CPTA to attract both entry-level learners and current security staff looking to deepen offensive skills. - The company says the certification should help individuals and organizations build broader cybersecurity capability. - The course content and practical training are being positioned as the main path for buyers evaluating the new certification.

The bottom line: - Centri is betting that hands-on offensive security training will become a core part of cybersecurity education, not an add-on.