Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

Yesterday, I became CRT Certified (CREST Registered Penetration Tester).

Back in June, I passed the CREST Practitioner Security Analyst (CPSA) exam. Since I already hold OSCP, I was able to apply through the CREST Equivalency program and obtain CRT without taking another exam.

To be clear: I didn’t pursue this because I wanted another certification. I did it because some of our clients REQUIRE a CREST-certified penetration tester.

When they told us that, I scheduled the CPSA exam almost immediately and passed it two weeks later, without studying.

Here’s the real takeaway for the “certs don’t matter” crowd:

Business value - Holding CRT means my company can retain clients. In many parts of Europe, CREST is mandatory.

Preparation compounds - Because I’ve studied for 9+ multiple-choice certs over the years, I could walk into the exam with zero prep and pass confidently. Without that foundation, this would have taken months of study.

Stacking certifications over time gave me the ability to get this done quickly without stepping away from billable penetration testing work. That translates directly into revenue and client trust.

Certifications matter more than people want to admit. Not because they define skill, but because clients and customers often expect them.

1 week ago | [YT] | 54

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

The Flipper Zero has been hyped, banned in some countries, and made headlines across the tech world. But is it actually worth the $199 price tag?

In my latest blog post, I break down what the Flipper Zero does well, where it falls short, who should consider buying it, and why it is more of a gateway into cybersecurity than a professional tool.

If you are a beginner, a student, or simply curious about hacking, this post will help you understand whether the Flipper Zero deserves a place in your toolkit.

Read the full breakdown here: www.kyserclark.com/post/is-the-flipper-zero-worth-…
Watch the video: https://youtu.be/hfaaGE_RPiM

1 week ago | [YT] | 9

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

Is the TryHackMe PT1 worth your time?

PT1 is TryHackMe’s junior penetration testing certification that mixes web, network, and Active Directory testing into one exam. A lot of people are calling it a game changer. Others think it’s just another entry-level cert.

I put together a full breakdown comparing PT1 against eJPT, PJPT, and PWPA. In the post, I cover:

✅ The strengths that make PT1 unique
✅ Weaknesses and trade-offs you need to know
✅ Who should (and shouldn’t) take PT1
✅ Why PT1 is a launchpad, not a destination

If you’re deciding on your first hacking certification, this post will help you determine if PT1 is the right choice, or a distraction from the certifications that actually make a difference.

👉 Read the full post here: www.kyserclark.com/post/tryhackme-pt1-is-it-worth-…

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/yHei8DhMRzc

What do you think? Is PT1 worth it, or would you skip it for another path?

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 9

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

I’ve stayed silent about politics and world events on this platform. Not because I didn’t care, but because I told myself it wasn’t my expertise. Because I thought everyone was entitled to their opinion. Because I didn’t want to get cancelled, hated, or attacked for saying something unpopular.

That silence ends today.

We are in the position we’re in right now because people like me didn’t speak up against a radical and destructive ideology. I’ll take my share of the blame for staying quiet this long.

The assassination of Charlie Kirk this week was a wake-up call. The message could not be clearer: “Anyone who dares oppose the radical left deserves to die.” And yes, people celebrated his death.

I was never Charlie Kirk’s biggest fan, but I respected much of what he stood for. Yet according to the radical left, sharing any of those beliefs makes me a “fascist,” a “racist,” or guilty of “hate speech.”

I don’t take threats like that lightly. And this needs to be said:

The radical left’s ideology is a cancer. We tolerated it for years. Every time we let it slide, it grew stronger and chipped away at our country.

So I’m calling on fellow Americans who still believe in American values: stop being afraid to expose the lies, the manipulation, and the bullying. Stop letting these woke ideas be forced down our throats. I’m not afraid to lose followers for saying this. I’ve traveled this country, met thousands of people, and I know the majority of Americans feel the same way. The loud minority is just that, loud.

They branded Charlie Kirk a “fascist,” yet they’re the ones killing political opponents. Do not forget the multiple assassination attempts on President Trump. They call us hateful while claiming they’re “peaceful.” If one of their top voices were killed, cities would already be burning. You know I’m right.

And those who cheer Charlie Kirk’s death, or look the other way while others celebrate? These are the same people who would turn on you in a heartbeat when the breadlines come under the Communist regime they’re blindly helping usher in.

If this message resonated with you, I highly recommend watching/listening to the Latest RealAF with Andy Frisella podcast episode (Ep 936): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jpkn...

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 14

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

🚀 I just published a new guide: How to Start a Cybersecurity Career in 2025 (Step-by-Step Roadmap)

If you’re overwhelmed by all the certs, roadmaps, and opinions floating around online, this blog post cuts through the noise. I break down exactly where to start, what fundamentals actually matter, and how to build a path that fits your goals.

💡 Key takeaways:

You don’t need to be a genius to get into cybersecurity

Master the fundamentals: networking, Linux, and security basics

Level up with coding and cloud computing

Reverse-engineer real job descriptions to choose your specialization

Stop passively consuming content and start taking action

This is the 2025 edition of my “break into cybersecurity” guide. If you’re serious about landing your first role this year, this roadmap will get you moving in the right direction.

👉 Read the full blog here: www.kyserclark.com/post/how-to-start-a-cybersecuri…
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWBFk...



P.S. If you want the full picture, with résumé strategies, interview prep, and salary negotiation tips, I also recommend pairing this with my 2024 edition.

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 10

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

💻 Thinking about becoming a penetration tester?

I just published a new blog where I share the 5 things I wish I knew before starting my career as a full-time pentester.

Here is the quick summary:

✔️ Real networks are much larger than labs and you will not cover everything

✔️ Client environments are more secure, so finding critical vulnerabilities is harder

✔️ Clients can push back on your findings, which makes communication and ethics essential

✔️ Pentesting is often more documentation than “Hollywood hacking”

✔️ Burnout is real, and balance is necessary to avoid it

This article is not meant to discourage you. Pentesting is the best job I have ever had. The goal of this post is to help you prepare for the parts of the job that training and certifications do not always show.

If you are considering a career in penetration testing, or if you are early in your journey, this will help you avoid some of the surprises:

👉 www.kyserclark.com/post/5-things-i-wish-i-knew-bef…

What do you think is the most misunderstood part of being a pentester?

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/TJKvmPoBYOs

1 month ago | [YT] | 7

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

🚨 Running Kali Linux but your Alfa Wi-Fi adapter isn’t showing up as wlan0?

I just published a step-by-step guide to fix one of the most common (and frustrating) problems I see with wireless adapters in Kali: the dreaded adapter not detected issue.

This tutorial focuses on the Alfa AWUS1900 (Realtek RTL88xxAU / RTL8814AU driver), but it applies to many Realtek-based adapters. I walk you through:
✅ Connecting the adapter properly in VMware/VirtualBox
✅ Verifying with lsusb and iwconfig
✅ Installing the right drivers and kernel headers
✅ Troubleshooting kernel/header mismatches
✅ Making your fix permanent with GRUB

If you’re setting up a wireless adapter for Wi-Fi hacking labs or just learning the ropes in Kali, this post will save you hours of frustration.

🔗 Read it here: www.kyserclark.com/post/fix-alfa-wifi-adapter-not-…
Watch the video: https://youtu.be/Ws9b0tWcVF4

1 month ago | [YT] | 8

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

It's been a while since my last livestream. Between buying my first home and traveling for my first DEF CON, life got busy. Now that I’m settled in, I’m back on the grind and excited to bring something new.

Starting August 26th, I’ll be running a weekly cybersecurity livestream every Tuesday with a simple format:

✅ A focused career insight inspired by my newsletter
✅ A breakdown of the week’s top cybersecurity news
✅ Live Q&A to wrap it up

Each stream will run under an hour and is built to give you both evergreen career advice and up-to-date industry context, plus the chance to interact directly.

📺 First stream: The Truth About Breaking Into Cybersecurity
🗓️ Tuesday August 26th, 7:00 pm ET / 4:00 pm PT
🔗 YouTube Link: youtube.com/live/vNa1dmmFm_o

P.S. I’ll still be doing hacking challenges, but they won’t be live anymore. Instead, I’ll be releasing one polished hacking challenge video per month. I don’t like creating content I wouldn’t watch myself, and honestly, I wouldn’t want to sit through a 4-hour stream of someone struggling with a Hack The Box machine. These new challenge videos will be clean, digestible, and packed with the key takeaways so you can actually learn without all the fluff.

1 month ago | [YT] | 16

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

🎓 Is a Cybersecurity Master's Degree Worth It in 2025?

I recently wrapped up my own MS in Cybersecurity, and I’ve got thoughts.

This new blog post isn’t a recruiter’s sales pitch or a college brochure. It’s a real breakdown of what you actually get out of a cybersecurity master’s degree (and what you don’t). I cover:

✅ How much it really helps in job hunting
✅ What skills you’ll learn (and what’s missing)
✅ The time commitment compared to certs
✅ Whether the school even matters
✅ And my no-fluff verdict if you’re on the fence

Hot take: Degrees can help, but they won’t carry you. And you should never go into debt for one.

Read the blog: www.kyserclark.com/post/is-a-master-s-degree-in-cy…
Watch the companion video: https://youtu.be/yKIOYsVW9rY

If you’re weighing the degree decision or already in the field and curious about leveling up, this post is for you.

Let me know what you think, and feel free to share it with someone who's thinking about going back to school.

#cybersecurity #infosec #hacking #cybersecuritycareers #kyserclark #ethicalhacking #penetrationtesting #cyberdegree #certifications #tryhackme #hackthebox

3 months ago | [YT] | 3

Kyser Clark - Cybersecurity

🚨 New Blog Post: Flipper Zero Video Game Module — Worth It or Waste of Money?

As a full-time pentester and lifelong gamer, I had to try the official Flipper Zero Video Game Module. I unboxed it, set it up, tested the games, and gave it a fair shot. Here's the honest verdict:

✅ HDMI output works
✅ Setup is easy
❌ No performance boost
❌ Games are the same as before
❌ Awkward controls

I wanted to love it, but I was underwhelmed. If you're expecting new capabilities or better games, this probably isn’t it. But if you're a content creator or educator looking to record your Flipper screen in high quality on the big screen? It might be worth the pickup.

🔗 Read the full breakdown here: www.kyserclark.com/post/flipper-zero-video-game-mo…
Watch the video: https://youtu.be/Zl5I9gv9MIk

#FlipperZero #Cybersecurity #HardwareHacking #Infosec #GadgetReview #HackingTools #TryBeforeYouBuy #TechReview

4 months ago | [YT] | 2