> [!abstract] This is the **HTB Certified Junior Cybersecurity Associate (CJCA)** corner of the site. It's one section among others here, not the whole point of the place. This page explains what the certification is, who it's for, and how to start it yourself. ## What the CJCA is The HTB Certified Junior Cybersecurity Associate is HackTheBox's entry-level certification, built for people starting out in security. It pairs with the "Junior Cybersecurity Analyst" path and is deliberately hands-on rather than purely theoretical. What makes it a good first cert is that it's **hybrid**: it covers both offensive and defensive skills instead of forcing you to pick a side early. Holders are expected to identify common vulnerabilities, do basic (post-)exploitation, run SIEM-assisted monitoring, analyze network traffic and logs, and detect intrusions. The curriculum is mapped to the NIST/NICE and MITRE ATT&CK frameworks, so what you learn lines up with how the industry actually describes the work. The fundamentals this section leans on: - [[Structure of InfoSec]] - [[Principles of Information Security]] - [[Network Security]] - [[Application Security]] - [[Operational Security]] - [[Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity]] - [[Cloud Security]] - [[Physical Security]] - [[Mobile Security]] - [[Internet of Things Security]] And some specific topics worth knowing: - [[Social Engineering]] - [[Ransomware]] - [[DDoS]] ## Starting it yourself > [!tip] You can sign up through my referral link: [referral.hackthebox.com/mzTgRq1](https://referral.hackthebox.com/mzTgRq1). > To be upfront: it's a referral, so it gives the site a little support at no extra cost to you. If you'd rather not use it, no problem at all, just head to HackTheBox directly. The notes stay free either way. > [!note] I'm a learner, not an instructor. These notes are how I make sense of the material, not official exam prep, and they may be incomplete or occasionally wrong. Treat them as a companion, not a substitute for the real thing.