Career

HackTheBox’s CPTS has been quietly building a reputation as the most technically demanding — and best-priced — penetration testing certification in the market. In 2026, it’s no longer a quiet alternative to OSCP. It’s a direct competitor. Here’s the real breakdown. What Is HTB CPTS? The HTB Certified Penetration Testing Specialist (CPTS) is HackTheBox Academy’s flagship professional certification. It’s built on the Penetration Tester learning path — 28 modules covering everything from network enumeration to Active Directory attacks to enterprise-level reporting. ...

Two certifications. One built around the full lifecycle of a real red team engagement. The other still the most recognized name in offensive security hiring. If you’re choosing between CRTO and OSCP in 2026, you’re asking the right question at the right time. Both are practical, hands-on, and respected. But they serve different purposes — and picking the wrong one first can cost you months of prep and a thousand dollars you didn’t need to spend yet. ...

Two certifications. One practical, affordable, and designed for real-world pentesting. The other expensive, industry-standard, and still the most recognized name on a resume. If you’re choosing between PNPT and OSCP in 2026, you need the honest answer — not the Reddit echo chamber, not the sponsored review. Here’s what both certs actually are, who they’re for, and which one belongs in your roadmap first. What Is PNPT? The Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT) is a certification from TCM Security , built by Heath Adams (The Cyber Mentor). It’s entirely practical — no multiple choice, no CTF gimmicks. ...

Every week someone asks me what certification to start with. Not what to get after two years of HTB and home lab practice. Not what comes after OSCP. The first one — the one for people who know they want to break into offensive security but don’t know where to start. My answer in 2026 is still the eJPT. Not because it’s prestigious. Not because it’ll make a hiring manager’s eyes light up. Because it does something more important than that: it teaches you what a penetration test actually feels like, before you’re in over your head. ...

Breaking into penetration testing is one of the most asked-about topics in cybersecurity. Everyone wants to do it. Far fewer actually get hired. The gap isn’t talent — it’s knowing what the industry actually looks for versus what you think it looks for. After more than a decade working in offensive security, here’s an honest breakdown of how to get your first pentest job in 2026. What “Entry-Level Pentester” Actually Means First, a reality check: most companies hiring “junior” pentesters still expect you to hit the ground running. You won’t have your hand held through every engagement. What they’re really looking for is: ...

The OSCP used to be the only certification that mattered for penetration testers. Then TCM Security released the PNPT and changed the conversation. In 2026, the PNPT has become one of the most respected entry-to-mid-level certifications in offensive security — not because of brand recognition, but because of what the exam actually tests. This is a full review of whether it belongs in your certification roadmap. What Is the PNPT? The Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT) is a certification from TCM Security , created by Heath Adams (The Cyber Mentor). It’s a fully practical exam — no multiple choice, no CTF flags, no memorization. ...

Certifications are a polarizing topic in security. Half the community will tell you they’re useless compared to real experience. The other half just got a $30k raise after passing CISSP. Both are partly right. The truth: certifications are door-openers, not skill-builders. They signal to hiring managers that you’ve achieved a standardized benchmark. What you actually know depends on how you prepared. And some certifications open much bigger doors than others. ...

People talk about “getting into cybersecurity” like it’s a single destination. It isn’t. The red team career path is a long road with distinct phases, each requiring different skills, different mindsets, and different investments. I’ve spent over a decade in offensive security - from junior analyst writing first-ever pentest reports to leading red team programs and advising on enterprise security strategy. Here’s an honest map of the terrain. The Career Levels (And What They Actually Mean) Level 1: Junior Penetration Tester / Security Analyst (0-2 years) This is where everyone starts, and most people underestimate how much work it takes to get here legitimately. ...

If you’ve spent any time in offensive security, you’ve heard the debate: is OSCP still worth it in 2026? With new certifications flooding the market and OffSec updating their coursework, here’s an honest answer — not a sales pitch, not a sponsored post. I hold OSCP and CISSP. I’ve interviewed candidates for red team roles and reviewed what actually moves the needle in hiring. Here’s what I know. The short answer: yes, OSCP is still worth it — but not for the reasons most people assume. ...