Best Practices for Penetration Testing Education

Cyberattacks appear in a variety of approaches, such as those attempting to steal personal or confidential information, blocking users' access to their own accounts, and causing damage to computer systems.The growth of cybersecurity has become increasingly exponential with emerging cybersecurity intelligence tools, such as using artificial intelligence (AI) in developing cyber threats.Engineering technology intersects with cybersecurity as engineers focus on designing computer system architectures, whereas penetration testers identify vulnerabilities, assess risk levels, and implement strategies to secure those systems.Therefore, it is essential to foster penetration testing professionals in higher education.This not only equips students with expertise in penetration testing, but also addresses the growing demand of skilled professionals in the cybersecurity workforce.This paper provided an overview of the approaches to study penetration testing from both theoretical and practical perspectives.Penetration testing tools were examined.Techniques for developing effective lab environments were discussed.Additionally, the paper investigated best practice and strategies in teaching penetration testing and highlighted how engineering technology can enhance learning outcomes and enrich immersive learning experiences.