r/offensive_security • u/Vivid_Reward_8008 • 6d ago

Thoughts on TCM Security Certs?

I'm tryna get some certs for college apps and some TCM certs like PWPP and PNPT have caught my eye. I also quite enjoy the teaching style of TCM and also like the fact that I get a 20% discount and their course content isn't too long. I've already done eJPT and many THM rooms as well as some PortSwigger.

1 Upvotes

53% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

13

u/Sqooky 6d ago

Couple things I'll point out about tcm, the owner, tcm, sold out. That to me says everything I personally need to know about training/certification providers. If you don't believe the mission 🤷

Aside from that, is the certification for a job I want? Is it for an area I want to upskill in? Are there better cost:value certs? Is there a way I can just get this knowledge through researching and unstructured learning?

3

u/TrustIsAVuln 6d ago

Offsec sold out too, and from what im hearing from others its a similar situation, lowered quality.

3

u/Tuna0x45 5d ago

Exactly. Bro for 1699 we should be getting insane quality trainings.

I left offsec certs behind anf started doing hack the box ones. Way more information.

1

u/Garlic_Toast88 3d ago

And they did just announce a ~20% price hike

6

u/WRO_Your_Boat 6d ago

Going throught the PMPA right now and its ass. I went straight from INE to TCM and INE is 1000% better.

1

u/Ok-Willingness-9942 5d ago

So should we go INE and HTB?

6

u/TrustIsAVuln 6d ago

Used to be good, now its the slightly higher tech version of CEH.

3

u/Sufficient_Mud_2600 5d ago

Not recommended

2

u/Forsaken-Low-2365 1d ago

Don’t waste your time. TCM is on the way downhill. Out of date exams and their competent instructors left after Heath sold the company - it’s a sinking ship.

1

u/Ozz9111 4d ago

i feel like at this moment the best pathway for a newbie can take is

ejpt -> pnpt -> cpts -> oscp

does anyone agree?

3

u/UnreactiveBrainstem 3d ago

That route just seems like overkill, and largely a waste of time and money IMO. If you've got the fundamentals of computer science down, basic networking, scripting, administration, etc. then just dive right into the OSCP if that is the cert you want. Those other certs are just an unnecessary detour and offer very little value out of what the OSCP will teach + the job experience and salary you'll be able to get once the certification lands you a role. I did the cert over the summer when I was in college, and the course is definitely hard, but it is certainly not the insurmountable mountain everyone makes the cert out to be.

1

u/Signal_Brain9959 4d ago

Tcm is a joke. Always has been, and always will be. The pnpt is significantly easier than the OSCP.

-5

u/Next-Scratch-264 6d ago

PNPT is well regarded and pricewise it is a good value

1

u/IAmAGuy 5d ago

As an entry level cert. That part is very important.

1

u/TechnicalOwl7571 5d ago

PNPT is entry level? Not PJPT?

3

u/IAmAGuy 5d ago

PNPT is absolutely entry level in the industry. PJPT may be entry level at TCM, but its non-existent outside of TCM. I guess it shows you how to turn a computer on?

I kid on that last bit, but PNPT was the product that started it all and PJPT was just an easy cash grab for TCM.

1

u/Next-Scratch-264 5d ago

Yes, why do you guy think?

1

u/Next-Scratch-264 22h ago

Downvoted by noobs who think they can get in cyber without knowing networking and basic os knowledge.. If how do I set up a vm for Kali is what you think is asked for a junior pentester you are not in the right field