Starting the PJPT: The First Step into Practical Pentesting
The Beginning
If there’s one thing the cybersecurity field teaches quickly, it’s that theory alone isn’t enough. Books, videos, and certificates all build foundations, but the true test comes when you have to break things on purpose — ethically, of course. That’s why I’ve decided to take on the PJPT (Practical Junior Penetration Tester) certification from TCM Security.
This marks a turning point in my learning journey. I’ve spent a lot of time building my base — exploring tools like Nmap, Burp Suite, and Metasploit; setting up my own home lab; and studying the structured frameworks of attacks and defenses. But PJPT isn’t just about knowing the tools. It’s about thinking like an attacker, documenting findings like a professional, and understanding how to turn discovery into real security insight.
The PJPT exam is designed to simulate a real-world pentest — not a multiple-choice test, but a live engagement. You’re given a target environment, a limited window of time, and the task of identifying vulnerabilities, exploiting them responsibly, and producing a formal report. That last part, the report, is often underestimated — but it’s where the value of a pentest truly lies. The ability to communicate complex technical findings in a clear, actionable way separates a hacker from a professional.
What excites me most about this challenge is its practicality. It bridges the gap between learning how attacks work and executing them in a controlled, ethical environment. It’s a test of patience, process, and precision — qualities every good pentester needs to cultivate.
My preparation plan is simple:
- Review key web and network exploitation concepts.
- Sharpen skills in enumeration and privilege escalation.
- Practice reporting and note-taking throughout labs to build a consistent workflow.
- Approach every mistake as data — every failure as feedback.
In folklore, the tanuki adapts to every situation by changing shape. That’s the mindset I’m taking into this challenge: adapt, observe, and evolve. The PJPT isn’t the end goal — it’s another form I’ll take on the way to mastering this craft.
Once I’m through the exam, I’ll post a detailed write-up of my experience (minus spoilers, of course). Until then, the focus is simple: keep learning, keep testing, and keep shaping Tanuki Infosec into a reflection of growth through challenge.
Stay tuned — the hunt is on.
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Starting the PJPT: The First Step into Practical Pentesting The Beginning If there’s one thing the cybersecurity field teaches quickly, it’s that theory alone isn’t enough.…
