TransformativeJourney:MyExperienceattheTelspaceBootcamp
My journey through the world of cybersecurity has been a series of remarkable milestones, all of which led me to the life changing Telspace Bootcamp experience. It all began with a triumphant win at the ITWeb Security Summit Hackathon.ThisvictorynotonlymarkedmyentryintotheTelspaceBootcampbutalsosetthestageformyjourney of growth and achievement. In this blog post, I will delve into my enriching experience at the Telspace Bootcamp, from its commencement on July 3rd, 2023, to its conclusion on August 31st, 2023, and the certifications that crownedmyjourney.
FromHackathontoBootcamp:ADreamComeTrue
Back in June 2023, I had the opportunity of a
lifetime – participating in the ITWeb Security Summit Hackathon whichTelspacesponsorseveryyear.TheeventtookplaceattheprestigiousSandtonConventionCentre,where cybersecurityenthusiastsandexpertsgatheredtoshowcasetheirskills.Iwasdeterminedtoprovemyselfinthe RedTeamingCapturetheFlag(CTF)competitionthatwasbuiltby
theTelspaceTeam.Iwassothrilledtohaveemerged as the winner of the ITWeb
Security Summit Hackathon 2023.It
was an incredible journey, and I was grateful for the opportunity to showcase
my skills in identifying vulnerabilities and proposing innovative solutions.
UponwinningthehackathonIreceivedaninvitationtotheTelspaceBootcamp -thiswasadreamcometrue.This bootcampwasrenownedforitsrigorousandcomprehensivetrainingprogram.Itpromisedtonotonlyequipme with the necessary skills but also immerse me in the practicalities of the cybersecurity world.
ADynamicLearningEnvironment
From day one, the Telspace Bootcamp proved to be
a dynamic and immersive learning environment. The curriculumcoveredanextensiverangeofcybersecuritytopics,fromthefundamentalstoadvancedtechniques.The instructors were not just educators; they were experienced
professionals who shared their real-world insights and experiences. This made
the learning experience both enriching and practical.
TheBootcampprogrammeincluded,butwasnotlimitedto:
- Hardware hacking
- Hands on Hacking Fundamentals
- Enterprise Infrastructure Hacking
- Web Application Hacking
- Mobile Application Pen testing
- Hacking APIs
- Academy All-Access Membership from TCM Security
Hands-on PracticalExercises
OneofthehallmarksoftheTelspaceBootcampwasitsemphasisonhands-onpracticalexercises.Wewerenotjust learning theoretical concepts; we
were applying them in simulated environments. These exercises ranged from
ethicalhackingandpenetrationtestingchallenges,tonetworksecurity simulations.Theyweredesignedtoprepare
us for the real challenges faced by cybersecurity professionals.
At Telspace, one of the most valuable lessons I learned was the stark contrast to many other courses/internships/bootcamps that often inundate students with tools and concepts that rarely find practical application in the real-world scenarios; instead, Telspace was a refreshing departure from the norm, steadfastly focusing on those tools and topics proven to be indispensable for success as an ethical hacker, a deliberate approach that reflected the bootcamps' commitment to providing an education deeply rooted in practicality and real-world relevance, with an incredibly immersive, hands-on structure that not only demystified but also meticulously covered a multitude of foundational topics, effectively equipping me with the knowledge and skills that I knew would truly empower me in the field.
MentorshipandGuidance
Throughout the duration of the bootcamp, the invaluable mentorship we
received played an instrumental role in shapingourdevelopmentandenhancingourlearningexperience,asourdedicatedmentorsconsistentlyorganised and conducted live sessions,
thereby affording us the exceptional opportunity to acquire knowledge and seek clarificationthroughtheaskingofquestions,withnotableexamplesincludinglivedemonstrationsillustratingthe
intricate processes of hacking a mobile application and the jailbreaking of an
iPhone; this highly personalised approach employed by our mentors proved to be
a pivotal factor in my educational journey, enabling me to surmountobstaclesandgainaprofoundunderstandingofcomplexconcepts.
EarningthePJPTCertificationwith"EarlyAdopter"Badge
OneofthemostsignificantmilestonesduringmytenureattheTelspaceBootcampwasachievingthePJPT (PracticalJuniorPenetrationTester)certification.Thisachievement,earnedonJuly27th,2023,notonlyvalidated
my learningsin penetration testing
and ethical hackingbut also camewith theprestigious "early adopter"badge. Thisbadgesymbolisedmydedicationandcommitmenttostayingattheforefrontofcybersecurityknowledge.AsI am part of the
first 100 to obtain this certificate.
FromtheTCMSecuritywebsite:
"Thisexamassessesastudent’sabilitytoperformaninternalnetworkpenetrationtestatanassociatelevel. Students will have two (2) full days to complete the
assessment and an additional two (2) days to write a professional report.
Inordertoreceivethecertification,astudentmust:
LeveragetheirActiveDirectoryexploitationskillsetstoperformlateralandverticalnetworkmovements,and ultimatelycompromisetheexamDomainController.Also,provideadetailed,professionallywrittenreport."
ConqueringthePNPTCertification
Asmyjourneycontinued,IreachedanotherpinnacleonAugust26th,2023,byattainingthePNPT(Practical NetworkPenetrationTester)certification.Thiscertification furthersolidifiedmylearningsinnetworksecurityandbolstered my credentials
on my journey to becoming a cybersecurity professional.
PNPT Advice
Due to NDA, I am unable to discuss specifics regarding the test, however I can offer the following guidance to anyone preparing to take the PNPT exam:
Finish these 5 recommended courses:
- Practical Ethical Hacking (PEH) course
- Windows Privilege Escalation (WPE) course
- Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) course
- External Pentest Playbook (EPP) course
- Linux Privilege Escalation (LPE) course
Conclusion: A Journey of Transformation
MyexperienceattheTelspaceBootcampwasnotjustatrainingprogram;itwasajourneyoftransformation.It honed my skills, expanded my knowledge,
and prepared me for the challenges of the cybersecurity field. I am immenselygratefulforthementorship,hands-onexperience,andthecertificationsthathavepropelledme forward.Thisjourneyisjustthebeginning,andIlookforwardtotheexcitingopportunitiesandchallengesthatlie ahead in the
ever-evolving world of cybersecurity.
- Blog Post by Sifundo Ngubane