Software Developer vs. Penetration Tester: What Are the Differences?

A software developer creates and tests code that will become part of a software application, while a penetration tester attempts to find vulnerabilities in software applications. Both roles are important in the software development process, but they have different goals. In this article, we compare and contrast the job duties, skills, and education requirements of software developers and penetration testers. We also provide information on the average salary and job outlook for each profession.

What is a Software Developer?

Software Developers are responsible for developing and maintaining software applications. They work closely with business analysts and other stakeholders to understand the requirements of a software application. They design, code, test and debug software applications. They also document the code and the application’s architecture. Software Developers work in a variety of industries, including information technology, healthcare, finance and manufacturing. They typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.

What is a Penetration Tester?

Penetration Testers are also known as ethical hackers. They are employed by companies to test the security of their computer systems and applications to find vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious hackers. Penetration Testers use the same tools and techniques as hackers, but they do so with the permission of the company. They document their findings and work with the company to fix the vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

Software Developer vs. Penetration Tester

Here are the main differences between a software developer and a penetration tester.

Job Duties

Developers create and test software, but their duties change throughout the development process. Before writing code, developers research target audiences, gather requirements and analyze existing systems. While coding, they ensure that their software functions properly and meets user needs.

Penetration testers only perform duties related to security once an application or service has launched. They monitor unauthorized users as well as the security of employees and may use false identities to gain access to sensitive information. Penetration testers also report any vulnerabilities to the development team so that they can fix issues before a hacker exploits them.

Job Requirements

To become a software developer, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. Some employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree or higher. You also need to have strong programming skills and be familiar with multiple programming languages.

To become a penetration tester, you need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. You also need to have strong hacking skills and be familiar with multiple hacking tools and techniques. Additionally, many employers prefer candidates with a certification in information security, such as the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification.

Work Environment

Penetration testers and software developers typically work in different environments. Penetration testers often work for companies that provide security services to other businesses, so they may travel frequently to meet with clients or perform tests on their behalf. They also spend a lot of time working alone, either at home or in remote locations. Software developers usually work in an office environment where they collaborate with teams of programmers and designers.

Skills

Both software developers and penetration testers use problem-solving skills in their jobs. For software developers, they typically design products that will solve a problem or address a need facing individuals, families and business owners. For penetration testers, one of their primary duties is responding to calls from customers about issues with their security systems.

A software developer needs technical skills to perform their job, including programming languages, advanced mathematics, linear systems and analysis and electrical schematics. A penetration tester also needs technical knowledge, but they need to know more about how to exploit vulnerabilities in systems. Both of these professionals need to have the ability to follow safety protocols because they are often working with sensitive information.

While a software developer uses communication skills when they are creating reports of their research, corresponding with other engineers and colleagues and developing blueprints for their products, they are not necessarily going to be interacting with customers directly. A penetration tester is going to need interpersonal skills because they will most likely be interacting with people on a daily basis while they assess customer’s security needs.

Salary

The average salary for a software developer is $89,499 per year, while the average salary for a penetration tester is $103,827 per year. Both of these salaries can vary depending on the type of company you work for, your level of experience and your location.