Learning From Not Learning

A couple weeks ago, I snagged a discount code for 50% off the learning academy at TCM security. For awhile, I’ve had my eye on two courses: the Practical API hacking course and the Practical Bug Bounty Course. I took both courses and the content was excellent; I highly recommend both of them for people just starting out. After completing the courses, I realized that I didn’t learn anything new or earth-shattering. Sure, there were some areas where my knowledge was a little fuzzy and I learned some new approaches to applying a concept, but there weren’t any areas where I felt lost or confused. My knowledge level of application security is now at a point where most of my learning has to come from doing. I’ve suspected this for the last couple of months, but taking these courses was my epiphany moment. My takeaway from these courses is not the information, but that I need to continue with more hands-on project stuff. That’s why I’ve been doing bug bounty hunting and coding a project in Python.

So yeah, the courses are amazing and I’m glad I took them. I just need more hands-on activities at this point in my journey.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” is a great little book by Dr. Seuss. This book is about potential; the potential of success in the face of inevitable failure. I like reading this book at the end of the year because it fits nicely with my “end of the year” reflections. No matter the ups and downs of the previous year, your potential is directly dependent on the belief of being your best. Happy New Year!!!

Check-In 10/22/23

It has been almost an entire year since my last post and I think I’m overdue for another one. 2023 has been a busy year and it’s not over yet! Here is a short list of things I am doing/have done over the last month or so.

  • Got my CISSP certification! This was rough but I’m glad I did it. Now, I just need to finish the approval process.
  • Rode a bike from Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. This was a 334 mile bike ride on the Greater Alleghany Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath. More information about this is on the way once I finish gathering all the information and photos.
  • Read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This was one of the best book I have read in a long time. The entire idea of a “Personal Legend” really resonated with me. I’ve read so many good books this year. Unfortunately, I don’t think I am going to make my goal of reading 20 books this year.
  • A lot of cybersecurity self-studying. I’ve been really active in Portswigger’s Web Academy, Hack the Box, and a couple of other courses.

That’s all I got for now…until next time!