Part 2: Preparing for the PJPT Certification
Introduction:
Welcome back to our series, "Landing Your First Certificate as a Pentester: The PJPT Journey." In the previous post, we introduced you to the world of penetration testing and highlighted the importance of the PJPT certification. In this second installment, we will dive into the essential steps you need to take to effectively prepare for the PJPT certification exam.
Prerequisites for the PJPT Certification
Before embarking on your journey to become a certified pentester, it's important to understand the prerequisites for the PJPT certification. While there are no specific prerequisites in terms of formal education, having a basic understanding of networking, operating systems, and cybersecurity concepts will greatly benefit you in your preparation.
Study Resources
To succeed in the PJPT certification exam, you'll need to arm yourself with the right study resources. Here is the only training material recommended to help you prepare effectively:
Practical Ethical Hacking course
The Practical Ethical Hacking course offered by TCM Security is the training content for the PJPT Certification. This comprehensive course, available on the TCM Academy website, provides 25+ hours of video content that focuses on the practical side of ethical hacking.
In the 25+ hours of training included with your exam, TCM teaches you the fundamental hacking skills you need to perform internal penetration testing, including techniques such as LLMNR Poisoning, NTLM Relay Attacks, Kerberoasting, IPv6 attacks, and more.
Unlike many other courses that teach tools and concepts rarely used in the real world, TCM Security's course focuses only on tools and topics that will make you successful as an ethical hacker. The course is incredibly hands-on and covers many foundational topics that are essential for penetration testing.
To get a taste of the course and prepare yourself, TCM Security also offers a 15-hour free content on YouTube, providing valuable insights and hands-on exercises.
As you progress through the course, you will have the opportunity to test your capabilities through course capstones projects and case studies, further enhancing your practical skills.
Pricing for the "Practical Ethical Hacking" course is now on a subscription model, with a cost of $29.99/month. This subscription model allows you to access the course content (as well as other beautiful contents from TCM) and updates, ensuring you have the most up-to-date knowledge and techniques in the field of ethical hacking.
Exam Preparation Strategies
Preparing for the PJPT certification exam requires a well-thought-out strategy. Here are some strategies to help you make the most of your study time:
Create a Study Plan
Develop a study schedule that allocates dedicated time for each topic. Break down your study plan into manageable sections and set realistic goals to track your progress.
Note Keeping
By jotting down important points, you don’t only create a structured study guide but also ensure that you’re actively processing the information presented in the videos. When exam time approaches, these well-organized notes become a valuable resource, enabling you to revise efficiently and perform confidently, ultimately increasing your chances of success. Also add screenshots to your notes to help explaining tools and techniques.
Notion app or CherryTree can be used for this purpose.
Hands-on Practice
Penetration testing is a practical skill, so it's essential to reinforce your knowledge with hands-on practice. Set up a virtual lab environment, replicate real-world scenarios, and practice using different tools and techniques.
Join Study Groups and Forums
Engage with like-minded individuals by joining study groups and online forums. Collaborating with others can provide additional insights, share resources, and offer support during your preparation journey. A good platform to join is the TCM discord server where 50,000+ people are connected. There’s a section where all questions relating to the PJPT and the PEH course are being answered and all issues resolved.
In the upcoming posts, we will delve deeper into gaining hands-on experience, networking in the pentesting community, and the diverse career paths available to certified pentesters.
Stay tuned for the next post in our series, where we will guide you on how to gain hands-on experience and develop practical skills in penetration testing.
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