Assessor Resource

ICTCYS603
Undertake penetration testing for organisations

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use a range of methodologies to simulate an attack on an organisation’s information and security systems and report the results back to the organisation.

It applies to those who work as network security specialists or administrators and conduct a simulated attack on an organisation’s cyber assets to determine the effectiveness of the organisation’s cyber security measures.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:

plan and implement penetration testing and resolve queries and vulnerabilities on at least three vulnerabilities.

In the course of the above, the candidate must:

identify weaknesses as part of penetration testing process.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:

security risks and vulnerabilities in software systems

tools used in testing a network for vulnerabilities including scanning tools

advanced level penetration testing of a system

methods and tools used to protect data in an organisation

risk mitigation strategies

organisational procedures applicable to undertaking penetration testing, including:

establishing goals and objectives of penetration testing

defining scope of testing and establishment of testing regime

documenting established requirements

establishing penetration testing procedures

documenting findings, threats and work performed

key organisational environments, systems and networks required to undertake penetration testing for organisations.

Skills in this unit must be demonstrated in a workplace or simulated environment where the conditions are typical of those in a working environment in this industry.

This includes access to:

hardware, software and digital devices required to undertake penetration testing

analytic platform and applicable user instructions

data recognition software

single security device and an organisation device

legislative requirements and organisational policies and procedures applicable to undertaking penetrations testing.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:

plan and implement penetration testing and resolve queries and vulnerabilities on at least three vulnerabilities.

In the course of the above, the candidate must:

identify weaknesses as part of penetration testing process.

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:

security risks and vulnerabilities in software systems

tools used in testing a network for vulnerabilities including scanning tools

advanced level penetration testing of a system

methods and tools used to protect data in an organisation

risk mitigation strategies

organisational procedures applicable to undertaking penetration testing, including:

establishing goals and objectives of penetration testing

defining scope of testing and establishment of testing regime

documenting established requirements

establishing penetration testing procedures

documenting findings, threats and work performed

key organisational environments, systems and networks required to undertake penetration testing for organisations.

Skills in this unit must be demonstrated in a workplace or simulated environment where the conditions are typical of those in a working environment in this industry.

This includes access to:

hardware, software and digital devices required to undertake penetration testing

analytic platform and applicable user instructions

data recognition software

single security device and an organisation device

legislative requirements and organisational policies and procedures applicable to undertaking penetrations testing.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Analyse organisation’s existing cyber security environment, systems and network requirements 
Identify individual data types and level of security requirements 
Establish and outline goal and objectives of performing penetration testing 
Evaluate scanning tools and select according to vulnerability assessment requirements 
Establish and document testing regime and schedule, and requirements according to organisational procedures 
Perform penetration test according to testing plan and procedures 
Identify and document vulnerabilities arising from vulnerability assessment 
Identify and document potential threats arising from penetration test according to organisational and testing procedures 
Remediate identified vulnerabilities according to testing procedures 
Determine and document improvement plan 
Evaluate penetration testing effectiveness against testing plan and procedures 
Escalate unresolved vulnerabilities to required personnel 
Submit documentation to required personnel and seek and respond to feedback 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICTCYS603 - Undertake penetration testing for organisations
Assessment task 1: [title]

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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

ICTCYS603 - Undertake penetration testing for organisations

Student name:

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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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