About the CAP Certification

I recently obtained the Certified AppSec Practitioner (CAP) v2 certification from SecOps Group—a respected entry-level credential designed to validate a strong, hands-on understanding of application security, both offensive and defensive. The CAP exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions tackled in a 60-minute session, and covers topics like web vulnerabilities, application hardening, and secure development practices.

Exam Experience & Preparation

The exam is well-balanced, challenging both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. CAP focuses on real-world security scenarios, including identification and exploitation of OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities like XSS, CSRF, SSRF, authentication flaws, and more. You’ll also see defensive topics, like the correct use of security headers, application configuration, and mitigation advice.

My Prep Resources

• PortSwigger Web Security Academy labs (My notes available on GitHub).
• Free notes and public study guides from GitHub
• API security topics, including REST and GraphQL, and best practices for protecting endpoints.

Who Should Take CAP?

Whether you’re a beginner, student, bug bounty hunter, or junior analyst, CAP is technology-agnostic and ideal for anyone wanting a strong foundation in AppSec. It emphasizes the “why” of vulnerabilities, not just “how to exploit” them, making it relevant for various roles and career paths in application and product security.

Why It’s Worth It

• Validates well-rounded AppSec knowledge with a practical edge
• Recognized by employers building/red team and security engineering teams
• Focuses on current, high-impact security risks relevant to modern applications
• Affordable and offers heavy discounts (I got mine at 80% off at the time!)
• Great stepping stone for further certifications and hands-on courses.

What’s Next?

After earning CAP, I’m more motivated than ever to pursue deeper expertise in application security testing, cloud security, and automation for secure software delivery. If you’re interested in AppSec, CAP by SecOps Group is absolutely recommended for building your foundational skills and confidence.