This advanced course is for learners who have already completed a first penetration testing methodology and want to work the way professionals do: within a written scope, in a lab, with clear reports and a defender's mindset. Everything is taught in a legal, ethical and defensive framework, on your own lab or on explicitly authorized targets.
Across seven chapters you will study how Active Directory environments are attacked and hardened, automate small safe tasks in Python (scope checks, log parsing, a header audit limited to your own lab), understand the roles of red, blue and purple teams, and see how detection and incident response work in practice with SIEM correlation, IOC, TTP and the MITRE ATT&CK framework. You will then look at cloud, API and container security, and at the world of bug bounty, certifications and careers.
A running project ties everything together: your professional portfolio, a folder you complete lesson after lesson with notes, scripts, reports and a 90-day plan. In the last chapter you assemble it and decide on your next steps. No working exploit or payload is provided: the course focuses on understanding, reasoning, documentation and remediation.
What you will learn
- Explain the main Active Directory attack paths and the controls that close them.
- Write small, safe Python scripts for scope checking, log analysis and header auditing.
- Distinguish red, blue and purple team roles and run a supervised exercise.
- Understand SIEM correlation, IOC and TTP, ATT&CK mapping and the phases of incident response.
- Recognize cloud, API and container misconfigurations and propose fixes.
- Write a credible vulnerability report and choose a certification path.
- Build a clean, ethical portfolio and a realistic 90-day plan.
Who this course is for
Learners who know the basics of networks, Linux and web security, and who completed a first ethical hacking course. Basic Python reading skills help but are not required.
What you will learn
- Describe the structure of an Active Directory environment and the main weaknesses that auditors look for, then propose hardening measures.
- Write and test small Python scripts for scope validation, log parsing and a lab-only HTTP header audit.
- Explain the roles of red team, blue team and purple team, and plan a supervised exercise with rules of engagement and a stop procedure.
- Use SIEM correlation, IOC, TTP and the MITRE ATT&CK framework to reason about detection, and follow the phases of incident response.
- Identify common cloud, API and container misconfigurations and recommend appropriate fixes and pipeline controls.
- Write a clear vulnerability report and take part in a bug bounty program within its rules.
- Compare certification paths and career roles according to your own goals, without relying on promises of guaranteed results.
- Assemble an ethical portfolio and a measurable 90-day plan for your next steps.
Prerequisites
The course "Ethical Hacking: Penetration Testing Methodology" or equivalent basics: networks, Linux command line, web security and the legal framework. A personal lab (virtual machines on an isolated network) is recommended. Basic Python reading skills are helpful.