Is TCM security certification recognised? A Deep Dive into Industry Standing

September 27, 2025 •

4 min read

The cybersecurity industry faces a persistent skills gap, with employers increasingly valuing practical, hands-on experience over traditional qualifications. It's in this context that many ask: Is TCM security certification recognised? This question requires a nuanced answer, acknowledging both its technical reputation and market position.

Quick Summary

TCM Security certifications are highly regarded by technical professionals and industry insiders for their practical, hands-on approach. Their recognition is growing steadily, though they may not yet have the broad brand awareness with human resources departments as older, more established certification providers.

Key Points

Nuanced Recognition: TCM Security certifications are highly respected within technical circles but may have lower name recognition with general HR staff compared to older certs.
Practical Skills Emphasis: Their value lies in proving hands-on, real-world abilities, which is increasingly valued by technical hiring managers and team leads.
PNPT is a Standout: The Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT) is gaining significant traction and is a strong signal of competency for penetration testing roles.
Compare to Maximize: A TCM cert can be a powerful complement to a foundational certification like CompTIA Security+, demonstrating both foundational knowledge and specialized skills.
Market Yourself Effectively: Candidates should leverage the practical nature of TCM certs by detailing the skills and methodologies used on their resumes and in interviews.
Cost-Effective Option: TCM certifications are notably more affordable than many competing hands-on certifications, making them accessible to a wider audience.

The Nuance of Recognition in Cybersecurity

Recognition for cybersecurity certifications is not a simple yes or no answer. It exists on a spectrum, influenced by several factors, including the certification's focus, the certifying body's reputation, and how long it has been in the market. A certificate's value is often determined by who is evaluating it—a technical hiring manager versus a non-technical HR screener, for instance. TCM Security, a veteran-owned company, has intentionally positioned its certifications to focus on real-world skills, distinguishing them from traditional, multiple-choice exams.

The Rise of Hands-on Certifications

As the cybersecurity landscape evolves, so do the needs of employers. Companies are less interested in theoretical knowledge and more in proven ability to perform tasks effectively. This demand has fueled the rise of practical, hands-on certifications like those offered by TCM Security. These exams place candidates in simulated environments, replicating the real-world challenges they would face on the job. This practical approach is highly appealing to seasoned professionals and technical leads who can immediately see the value in a candidate's practical problem-solving skills.

Key TCM Certifications and Their Standing

Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT): This is arguably TCM's most well-known certification, and it is gaining significant traction within the industry. The PNPT is respected for validating a candidate's ability to conduct a complete penetration test, from reconnaissance to reporting. Hiring managers and technical leads increasingly view it as a reliable indicator of practical, client-oriented expertise.
Practical Help Desk Associate (PHDA): As a newer, entry-level certification, the PHDA is still building its industry-wide name recognition. However, it is designed to give candidates hands-on experience with common help desk tasks, making it an excellent tool for proving skills in interviews, even if the certification name itself isn't yet universally known.
Other Certifications: TCM also offers certifications like the Practical Malware Research Professional (PMRP) and Practical Career-Ready Professional (PCRP). These, like the others, are valued for their practical, skills-based approach, which is increasingly prized in the industry.

How TCM Certs Compare to Industry Giants

Understanding where TCM fits in requires comparison with other major certification providers. This comparison helps illustrate the unique value proposition of TCM's offerings.

TCM vs. CompTIA Security+

Focus: While the Security+ provides foundational knowledge across a broad range of cybersecurity domains, TCM's certifications are deeply practical and specialized. The PNPT, for example, focuses specifically on penetration testing methodology.
Market Recognition: CompTIA holds a strong position in the market, particularly with HR departments and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). TCM's certs are still newer, meaning they may not pass initial HR filters as easily, requiring candidates to highlight the hands-on skills they gained.
Audience: Security+ is ideal for entry-level roles needing broad security knowledge, while TCM's PNPT is better suited for those aiming for a hands-on penetration testing role.

TCM vs. Offensive Security (OSCP)

Philosophy: The PNPT emphasizes the complete penetration testing lifecycle, including reporting and communication, making it a close simulation of a real engagement. The OSCP, traditionally, has focused more on a brute-force approach to hacking machines.
Prestige: OSCP has long been considered the 'gold standard' for offensive security and carries significant weight and historical prestige. While PNPT is highly respected, it is still building its reputation and brand awareness.
Learning Curve: PNPT is often considered a more structured learning path, while OSCP is known for its difficulty and 'try harder' mentality.

Maximizing Your TCM Cert on Your Resume

To ensure your TCM certification gets noticed, it's crucial to go beyond simply listing the acronym. Given the hands-on nature of the training, you can leverage it to your advantage.

Detail Your Experience: Don't just say 'PNPT.' Detail the specific skills and methodologies you applied during the exam, such as reconnaissance, exploitation, and post-exploitation. Mention the professional report you wrote.
Use Action Verbs: When describing your skills, use strong action verbs like 'penetrated,' 'exploited,' 'analyzed,' and 'reported.'
Create a Portfolio: If possible, create a personal portfolio showcasing your skills or labs. This provides tangible evidence to back up your certification.
Network Effectively: The cybersecurity community is tight-knit. Engaging on platforms like LinkedIn and Discord, and networking with other professionals, can help you get your foot in the door at companies that respect TCM's practical approach.

Comparison of Popular Security Certifications


Certification	Recognition	Exam Style	Cost	Career Fit
TCM Security PNPT	Growing; highly respected by technical experts but less known by non-technical HR.	Practical, hands-on, real-world pentest scenario over multiple days, plus a report.	Affordable compared to major competitors.	Ideal for aspiring penetration testers who want to demonstrate practical skills.
CompTIA Security+	High; widely recognized by HR and government agencies like the DoD.	Multiple-choice questions assessing foundational cybersecurity knowledge.	Moderate; generally more expensive than TCM but widely accepted.	Entry-level security roles, IT professionals needing baseline security knowledge.
Offensive Security OSCP	High; considered a top-tier industry standard for offensive security.	Hands-on, timed lab exam focused on hacking machines.	High; often requires additional labs and re-takes.	Experienced hackers and penetration testers seeking high prestige.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

The ultimate recognition for TCM security certifications comes not just from the name on the certificate, but from the practical skills they certify. While a CompTIA Security+ may help you get past an initial HR filter, a TCM cert, especially the PNPT, can give you the proven, hands-on experience that will impress in a technical interview. The value of TCM's offerings is that they prioritize the 'doing' over the 'knowing,' which aligns with the industry's evolving needs. By understanding the nature of this recognition and knowing how to effectively communicate your practical skills, a TCM security certification can be a powerful tool for advancing your career in cybersecurity.

For more information on the foundation of cybersecurity knowledge, refer to this authoritative guide from CompTIA on Security+.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, they are accepted, especially by employers with technical hiring managers who value demonstrated, practical skills over theoretical knowledge. Their reputation is growing, and they are increasingly appearing in job postings.

The PNPT and OSCP have different types of recognition. OSCP has a longer history and higher prestige, while PNPT is valued for its realistic, full-cycle penetration testing approach, which is very appealing to technical leads.

While it's possible, especially if you can demonstrate the practical skills effectively, combining a TCM cert with foundational knowledge (e.g., from a CompTIA cert) or using it to showcase experience in an interview is often more effective, especially with HR screeners.

During an interview, focus on explaining the practical, hands-on labs you completed and how they simulate real-world scenarios. This allows you to showcase the specific skills you gained, which is highly valuable to technical interviewers.

The PHDA is a newer certification, so its name recognition is still developing. However, the hands-on skills it certifies are highly relevant for help desk positions, and you can leverage this practical experience to impress during interviews.

TCM Security's Practical Network Penetration Tester (PNPT) certification does not expire, as of April 2023. Other certifications and training access details may vary, so it is best to check the specific certification details on their website.

For federal and DoD positions, established certifications like those from CompTIA are more commonly required due to specific regulatory and compliance requirements. While a TCM cert can still be a valuable asset to your resume, it is less likely to be a formal requirement for these roles.