How One Defender Built Mastery Through Training

From “I Can’t” to “I Can” — A Career Shaped by Persistence, Practice, and Purpose

As part of INE Security’s Defender of the Year campaign, we’re proud to spotlight professionals who embody what modern cyber defense really looks like: resilience, curiosity, and relentless commitment to growth.

Meet Ivan Cese—a penetration tester who has completed every current INE Security certification, spanning both Red Team and Blue Team tracks. Ivan’s journey into cybersecurity wasn’t linear or easy—but that’s exactly what makes his story so powerful. Through disciplined learning, hands-on practice, and a deep belief in mastery over shortcuts, Ivan represents what it truly means to be a defender.

We sat down with Ivan to talk about his certification journey, what kept him motivated through the hardest moments, and why continuous learning is the foundation of real-world cyber readiness.

Q&A with Ivan Cese, Featured Defender

What initially drew you to pursue cybersecurity certifications when you transitioned to penetration testing in 2022?

It may sound like a cliché, but losing my job, and the unease that had been building for a while, became a turning point. You know those motivational posts that say, “If you hit rock bottom, you can only rise again”? I prefer to think of it differently: you can either make it your comfort zone… or rise.

Choosing to rise meant letting my drive to succeed overcome my insecurities—first for myself, then for my family, and ultimately for everyone who depended on me.

My first certification became the bridge between “I can’t” and a confident “I can.”

How did you first discover INE Security, and what made you choose eJPT as your starting point?

That same bridge—from “I can’t” to “I can”—was built with my very first certification: eJPT. Its impact was more psychological than technical at first. It was my way of saying, “I’m here too.”

I had known about INE long before that moment. During my formative years, I was active in hacking and modding forums, and eLearnSecurity—now INE—was always a pioneer. I still remember the original Penetration Testing Student (PTS) path and the Silver and Gold certifications. Growing with INE over the years felt like being part of a community I genuinely admired.

What were you hoping to achieve professionally when you began your certification journey with INE?

I’ve always imagined my professional growth like a Role-Playing Game (RPG)—each level representing a new skill. Certifications are milestones or side quests that allow for deep specialization while still driving continuous learning.

INE’s programs fit perfectly into that vision. They offered structured challenges and meaningful opportunities to grow. My goal has always been to build a clear path to mastery and keep leveling up—turning every certification into the next step of an exciting, Goonies-style adventure.

What keeps you coming back to INE year after year?

You know that feeling after a stressful day when you finally get home and feel completely at peace? That’s what INE represents for me—a cozy corner of the internet where I can truly nerd out.

Certifications, prep courses, workshops, live bootcamps—it’s like a candy store for pentesters. Every time I log in, I’m excited to explore, experiment, and learn something new while still having fun along the way.

What was your study routine like while working full-time as a pentester?

My study routine became almost ritualistic. Depending on the season, I’d brew a hot or iced tea, dim the lights, and put on music—The Cure, Joy Division, that kind of mood.

I made a point to breathe, take breaks, and enjoy the process instead of obsessing over the finish line. It’s like those small lights you see in apartment windows at 3 a.m.—each one quietly shining in its own world.

How did INE’s hands-on labs compare to real-world work?

What I appreciated most was that INE didn’t follow a traditional CTF-only approach. The labs and exams are designed to mirror real-world penetration testing and incident response scenarios.

From day one, you’re stepping into the shoes of a professional—not just solving abstract puzzles. That realism builds confidence, and there’s something deeply satisfying about finishing a lab and realizing, “I could actually do this in the real world.”

Which certification challenged you the most—and why?

The eMAPT certification. I became fascinated with Android hacking after meeting a colleague who had completed it—but I had never developed an Android app in my life.

Before tackling security, I had to learn app development from scratch. It took over six months, and there were moments  I questioned my sanity. But looking back, it was a tough goal with an incredibly rewarding journey. After all, who doesn’t love that little green robot?

Which certification surprised you the most in terms of what you learned?

Without hesitation, eCDFP. As a math enthusiast, I loved digging into digital forensics—it felt like being a detective at a digital crime scene.

Beyond the technical skills, it allowed me to contribute to something deeply meaningful: combating online child sexual exploitation. I was even able to apply those skills at work during my first real digital forensic investigation. That experience left a lasting impact on me.

How did completing both Red Team and Blue Team tracks shape your approach to security?

Cybersecurity is a dialogue between offense and defense. Walking both paths gives you a much richer perspective.

As a pentester, understanding defensive strategies reveals how layered security really works. As an incident responder or SOC analyst, you learn how attackers think and operate. It’s a dance of knowledge—and knowing both steps makes you move with purpose.

What advice would you give to someone just starting their cybersecurity certification journey?

Don’t study just to earn certifications—study to truly understand them. Dig deep, practice deliberately, and focus on mastery, not just passing exams.

After all, even a wizard isn’t defined by their wand, but by how they use it. You’re a wizard, Harry.

Looking back, what’s the single most valuable thing you gained from completing all 10 certifications?

The two best investments of your life: investing in yourself—and choosing the right partner to share the journey with.

Why Ivan Represents the Modern Defender

Ivan’s journey reflects a core truth behind the Defender of the Year campaign:

Cyber readiness isn’t defined by a single skill or role—it’s built through continuous learning, real-world practice, and the ability to see security from every angle.

By mastering both offensive and defensive disciplines, Ivan exemplifies what it means to be a defender that can truly handle interconnected disciplines.

Ready to Build Your Own Defender Path?

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your expertise, INE Premium gives you access to guided learning paths across every INE Security certification—so you can build skills with purpose, not guesswork.

With hands-on labs, structured progression, and training designed for real-world application, INE Premium helps you turn curiosity into capability and learning into confidence—one certification at a time

👉 Start training with INE Premium and begin your Defender journey today.