Hands-On, Job-Ready: A Fresh Approach to Building the Next Generation of Pen Testers | A White Knight Labs Brand Story With John Stigerwalt And Greg Hatcher

Getting a start in cybersecurity has never been easy — but for today’s aspiring pen testers, the entry barriers are even higher than they were a decade ago. In this conversation, Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli sit down with Greg Hatcher and John Stigerwalt from White Knight Labs to unpack why they decided to flip the script on entry-level offensive security training.

Greg, a former Army Special Operations communicator, and John, who got his break as a self-taught hacker, agree that the traditional path — expensive certifications and theoretical labs — doesn’t reflect the reality of the work. That’s why White Knight Labs is launching the Entry Level Pen Tester (ELPT) program. The idea is straightforward: make high-quality, practical training accessible to anyone, anywhere.

Unlike other courses that focus purely on the technical side, the ELPT emphasizes the full skill set a junior pen tester needs. This means not just breaking into systems, but learning how to write clear reports, communicate effectively with clients, and operate as part of a real engagement team. John explains that even the best technical find is worthless if it’s not explained properly or delivered with clear guidance for fixing the issue.

Greg points out that the team culture at White Knight Labs borrows from his Special Forces days — small, specialized teams where each individual goes deep on a specific domain but works in tight coordination with others. Their goal for trainees mirrors this: to develop focused, practical skills while understanding how their piece fits into bigger, complex attack scenarios.

Affordability and global access are key parts of the mission. The team wants the ELPT to open doors for people who might not have thousands to spend on training. By combining hands-on labs, in-depth modules, real-world scenarios, and a tough final exam, they aim to ensure that passing the ELPT means you’re truly job-ready.

For anyone considering a start in offensive security, this episode is a glimpse into a program designed to create more than just hackers — it’s building adaptable, communicative professionals ready to hit the ground running.

Learn more about White Knight Labs: https://itspm.ag/white-knight-labs-vukr

Guests:

John Stigerwalt | Founder at White Knight Labs | Red Team Operations Leader | https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-stigerwalt-90a9b4110/

Greg Hatcher | Founder at White Knight Labs | SOF veteran | Red Team | https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryhatcher2/

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Keywords: sean martin, marco ciappelli, greg hatcher, john stigerwalt, cybersecurity, pentesting, training, certification, whiteknightlabs, hacking, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast

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Resources

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