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Certification Overview
The Cyber Pros Cybersecurity Associate (CPCA) is a foundational, hands-on certification designed for aspiring cybersecurity professionals. This certification validates the holder's practical skills in both offensive (red team) and defensive (blue team) cybersecurity operations, making it the ideal starting point for a successful cyber career.
Equivalency with HTB CJCA
The CPCA is awarded to individuals who have successfully passed the HackTheBox (HTB) Certified Junior Cybersecurity Associate (CJCA) exam. This strategic partnership ensures that CPCA holders have met the rigorous, internationally recognized standards of one of the most respected names in cybersecurity training.
The CPCA Examination
The CPCA examination is a rigorous, hands-on assessment that simulates a real-world cybersecurity engagement. Candidates are tasked with conducting a comprehensive internal security assessment of a corporate network. The exam combines a gray-box penetration test with SIEM alert validation and analysis, testing both offensive and defensive capabilities. Upon starting the exam, candidates receive a letter of engagement detailing the scope, objectives, and rules of engagement.
Key Differentiators
The CPCA certification is distinguished from other entry-level cybersecurity certifications by its focus on practical application and real-world scenarios. The following table highlights the key differentiators of the CPCA program:
- Candidates are evaluated throughout their learning journey with hands-on skills assessments in each module, ensuring a deep understanding of the material before the final examination.
- The CPCA exam is a fully practical assessment where candidates perform penetration testing and security analysis in a simulated enterprise network. There are no multiple-choice questions.
- A crucial component of the certification is the requirement to produce a professional, commercial-grade report, demonstrating the ability to communicate findings effectively to stakeholders.
- The entire examination is conducted within a browser-based environment, powered by Pwnbox, eliminating the need for any specialized hardware or software.
Knowledge Domains
The CPCA certification covers a wide range of knowledge domains, ensuring that certified professionals have a comprehensive understanding of the cybersecurity landscape. The domains covered include:
- Offensive Security: Penetration testing processes and methodologies, Information gathering & reconnaissance, Attacking Windows & Linux targets, Web application penetration testing, Manual & automated exploitation, Vulnerability scanning, Lateral Movement, Post-exploitation enumeration, Windows & Linux Privilege escalation.
- Defensive Security: Network Traffic Analysis, SOC Processes & Methodologies, Security Monitoring, Log Analysis, Intrusion Detection, SIEM-assisted Log Analysis (Elastic).
- Reporting & Communication: Vulnerability/Risk communication and reporting.
Stand Out in a Crowded Market
Go beyond theoretical, multiple-choice exams. The CJCA+CPCA combination is undeniable proof that you possess the rigorous, hands-on skills that employers are actively seeking, setting you apart from candidates with only foundational knowledge
Speak the Language of Business
The CPCA validates your ability to write a professional report, a skill that demonstrates you can articulate technical risk in terms of business impact. This makes you a more valuable and influential team member
Boost Your Resume & LinkedIn Profile
The dual credential provides a powerful signal of excellence. We provide guidance on how to prominently and effectively feature the CPCA on your professional profiles to attract the attention of top recruiters and hiring managers
Why Choose CPCA?
The Cyber Pros Cybersecurity Associate (CPCA) certification provides a clear pathway to a successful career in cybersecurity. By focusing on practical skills and real-world application, the CPCA equips professionals with the tools and knowledge they need to be effective from day one. For employers, the CPCA is a reliable indicator of a candidate's ability to perform in a modern cybersecurity role, making it a valuable credential for both individuals and organizations.
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