Closing the Gap Between Being Certified and Being Competent.
Founded by a college instructor, CertPlug is a San Antonio-based training hub designed to build the next generation of 'Day-One Ready' IT professionals.
Our Mission
To redefine IT education by replacing passive learning with active engineering. We believe that a certification is only as valuable as the skills behind it. At CertPlug, we empower students to not only pass the exam but to master the environment.
Our Vision
To become the premier talent pipeline for the IT industry, ensuring every CertPlug graduate is equipped with the technical muscle memory and ethical foundation required to design, implement, troubleshoot, and secure the world's most critical infrastructure.
Our Story
Based in the heart of "Cyber City, USA," CertPlug was born from a simple observation by collegiate IT Instructor Matthew Burch: traditional education is often too slow to keep up with modern technology. With a background that spans 2x CCIE status, CISSP security expertise, and senior-level AWS cloud architecture, Matthew understands exactly what today’s top employers are looking for.
He founded CertPlug to replace passive learning with active engineering. We leverage the power of an EVE-NG backed cyber range to place students inside enterprise-level network simulations, moving beyond the textbook to provide true tactical immersion. In our 8-week live cohorts, we don't just "teach for the test"—we train you to own the environment.
Master Your Craft. Whether you are entering the field through Tech+ or scaling to the height of the CISSP, you are guided by a mentor who has been in the trenches and the classroom. CertPlug’s goal is to turn "candidates" into "competent professionals." At CertPlug, we provide the direct link between elite training and a high-impact career. Join us and plug into the future of IT.
Meet The Founder
The Bridge Between Theory and the Trenches:
Education in the IT world is often stuck in two extremes: dry, academic theory that lacks real-world application, or "exam dumps" that help you pass a test without teaching you the job. CertPlug was founded by Matthew Burch to bridge that gap. As a collegiate instructor and experienced IT manager in San Antonio—"Cyber City, USA"—and a CISSP-certified industry veteran, Matthew has spent over a decade mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity defenders. He realized that the best way to learn isn't by watching a slideshow; it’s by getting your hands dirty in a live environment.
01
Academic Foundation
8 weeks of live, weekly sessions and/or 1 week bootcamp led by an experienced instructor. No pre-recorded fluff—just real-time mentorship.
02
Tactical Simulation
Deploy into the CertPlug Cyber Range. We use EVE-NG Pro to simulate real-world enterprise networks.
03
Pass The Exam
We don't just make you exam ready; we build the confidence you need on exam day and beyond.