New school year, new curious minds. Every year, we meet students who are fascinated by cybersecurity but don’t really know where to begin. They’ve heard about pentesting, maybe watched a few hacking videos, tried a CTF here and there, but the path to actually becoming a pentester feels a bit blurry.
The good news is that it’s not some secret club. Pentesting is a real, structured profession. It’s technical, challenging, creative, and most of all quite rewarding. There’s no single way in, but there is a clear path that works for most people who are serious about learning.
This guide is a practical roadmap for students in Belgium and the EU. It’s built on what we see in the field every day, both from new interns and from experienced testers.
1. Build that solid foundation
Before you can hack systems, you need to understand how they work (obviously). Strong fundamentals are what turn quick copy-paste tricks into real problem-solving skills. It’s the difference between running someone else’s exploit and understanding why it works.
There are three key areas to focus on early:
- Networking basics: You’ve got to learn how data travels. Concepts like the OSI model, TCP/IP, DNS, routing and HTTP are of importance here.
- Linux fundamentals: Gotta get comfortable with the command line. Understand how to navigate, set permissions, run services and write some simple scripts.
- General IT knowledge: Get to know how web applications are built, what firewalls actually do, how authentication works, and why those misconfigurations happen.
Online platforms are a great way to start. For example, Cisco Networking Basics covers core network principles. Linux Journey gives you hands-on Linux practice in a structured way. OverTheWire’s Bandit challenges teach you to think like a hacker step by step.
If you prefer a structured academic approach, many Belgian and European universities now offer ethical hacking or cybersecurity programs. Howest and Thomas More are just a few examples. These programs give you a strong technical base, access to a network of peers, and often direct links to internships.
Granted, it can feel like a lot at first. But you’ve got to look at it this way: Every concept you learn will only make the next one easier. Think of this phase as building the scaffolding that everything else will stand on.
2. Get your hands dirty (safely)
Pentesting is not something you learn by only reading. It’s a craft. You need to practice. The good news is that there are plenty of legal, safe environments where you can experiment and improve your skills without touching any real systems.
A few great starting points are:
- TryHackMe: Beginner-friendly, guided labs that walk you through attack scenarios step by step.
- Hack The Box: More challenging boxes, perfect for sharpening your skills once you have the basics.
- OverTheWire: Focused on fundamentals and problem solving.
- PortSwigger Web Security Academy: Excellent if you want to dive into web application security.
If you want to go one step further, set up a small home lab. A couple of virtual machines, some vulnerable applications like DVWA or Metasploitable, and you’ve got your own private training ground. It’s safe, inexpensive, and a great way to build real confidence.
The most important thing here is consistency. Don’t worry if you get stuck. Everyone does. Use write-ups, forums and Discord communities to figure things out. Every time you root a machine or solve a puzzle, you’re building real skills.
3. Join the Community
Cybersecurity is a community-driven field. You’ll grow a hell of a lot faster when you surround yourself with others who are learning or already working in the industry. Knowledge sharing is a huge part of the culture, and it’s also how you build your professional network.
In Belgium and across Europe, there are plenty of ways to connect:
- Join local meetups and student groups like BruCON, SecAppDev or OWASP Belgium.
- Get involved in university hacking clubs, where students work on challenges together. Perhaps check out ANNACON while you’re at it.
- Participate in online communities on Discord, LinkedIn or Mastodon to meet peers and mentors.
And of course, apply for internships. A real work environment gives you context that no lab can replicate. You’ll learn how engagements are structured, how to work in a team, how to write reports, and how to approach clients. Many companies, including ours, offer internships where students get guided, hands-on experience on real projects.
Extra tips to keep in mind
Here are a few honest, practical tips that can make a difference:
- Certifications are useful, but not essential at the start. Focus on skills first. Once you have a strong base, certifications like OSCP or eJPT can boost your CV.
- Personal projects carry a lot of weight. A GitHub account filled with small tools, CTF write-ups or lab reports often impresses more than a list of courses.
- Language skills matter. English is essential in cybersecurity. In Belgium and many EU countries, speaking French can give you an advantage.
Stay curious. Technology evolves quickly. Good pentesters keep learning, experimenting and asking questions throughout their career. Always remember: every bug is just a feature you haven’t found yet.
Your Turn
Becoming a pentester clearly takes some time and practice, but it’s absolutely achievable if you approach it step by step. Build your foundation, get hands-on experience, and connect with the community. So yeah, the best time to start is now. Explore, make mistakes, learn, and don’t forget to have fun along the way. 👋
Want more intel? Don’t hesitate to reach out or read more on our very own pentesting services
