JO
Johan Opperman
CURRICULUM VITAE
OPEN TO JUNIOR / ENTRY-LEVEL SECURITY ROLES

Hands-on background in security and technical systems, now focused on offensive security, Python and practical AI. I learn by building things that actually run — and I’m honest about where my skills are today.

Location
Robertson, Western Cape
Focus
Cyber · Python · Automation · AI
Working toward
eJPT · PNPT
About

A builder moving into security.

I come from a hands-on, technical background — working in the security trade with automated systems and electrical installations, where troubleshooting under pressure and getting things working is the job. That practical, problem-solving mindset is what I’m now bringing into technology.

Today I’m focused on offensive security, Python, automation and AI — learning through structured study and, more importantly, by building real projects: an AI assistant, a self-hosted home lab, and my own tools. I’d rather show working projects than list credentials I don’t have yet.

My main direction is penetration testing and red-team work — but I deliberately learn the blue-team side too. Practising both in my own lab means I understand not just how to attack a system, but what the defenders see: what malicious activity looks like in the logs and files, and how to detect and harden against it. Knowing both sides makes me better at each.

I’m early in this path, learning fast, and building toward OpSec — my own security and technology practice.

Skills

What I work with.

A mix of what I’m confident in today and what I’m actively building. I’ve marked the security areas as learning where that’s the honest picture.

Programming

  • Python
  • Bash scripting
  • Git & version control
  • HTML / CSS / JS
  • SQLite

Infrastructure

  • Linux administration
  • Docker & containers
  • Networking & VPN
  • Self-hosting
  • Monitoring & backups

Offensive (red, learning)

  • Penetration testing basics
  • Web app security (OWASP)
  • Linux exploitation
  • Reconnaissance
  • CTFs & vulnerable labs

Defensive (blue, learning)

  • Log & file analysis
  • Detection & monitoring
  • System hardening
  • Network segmentation
  • Packet analysis

Automation & AI

  • Home automation
  • LLM / AI integration
  • Scripting & tooling
  • APIs
  • Encryption basics
Projects

Things I’ve built.

Real projects, described by what they do and what I learned. Kept light on internals where that’s the sensible thing to do.

2025 – present● Running

Remi — self-built AI assistant

My own AI assistant that helps with day-to-day work, with persistent memory, an encrypted password vault, and safe, permissioned control over my systems. A hands-on project in AI integration, Python and secure design.

PythonLLM APIsEncryptionLinux
Ongoing● Running

Home lab & network security

A self-hosted home lab I designed, secured and monitor — private networking, segmented services, uptime monitoring and automated backups. My proving ground for infrastructure and the defensive side of security.

DockerLinuxNetworkingSelf-hosting
2024Past project

OpScan — website security scanner

A Python tool I built to scan websites for common security issues — SSL/TLS validation, security-header checks and breach-database lookups — producing readable reports. A practical early lesson in security automation and working with APIs.

PythonRequestsSSL/TLSAPIs
Ongoing● Shipped

Python tools & automation

Practical scripts and small apps that solve actual problems — an inventory system, portable diagnostic and field tools, and automation utilities. Turning repetitive tasks into tools.

PythonSQLiteFlaskAutomation
Certifications

Working toward.

The certifications I’m studying toward — listed honestly as goals in progress, not things I already hold.

eJPT
Junior Penetration Tester · INE
IN PROGRESS
PNPT
Practical Network Pentest · TCM
PLANNED
Learning

How I’m getting there.

HANDS-ON PLATFORMS

Practical labs & CTFs

TryHackMe, PortSwigger Academy, HackTheBox and OverTheWire — learning by doing.

HOME LAB

Vulnerable-app practice

A private lab with intentionally vulnerable apps for safe, hands-on security practice.

BUILDING

Real projects

Every tool I build teaches more than a tutorial — Python, automation, secure design.

Contact

Let’s talk.

Open to: junior / entry-level roles in security, IT and Python development — and freelance work in automation, scripting and web.

Based in Robertson, Western Cape · open to remote or relocation.