Penetration testing mastery: Active Directory, Azure, Kerberos, ADCS, Metasploit & 2 full mock exams.
What You Will Learn:
- Pass the GIAC GPEN exam by fully mastering all 2026 official exam objectives across all three scored domains
- Plan, scope and execute professional penetration tests from pre-engagement through reporting using industry best practices
- Conduct comprehensive reconnaissance using OSINT, DNS enumeration, Nmap, NSE and vulnerability scanning techniques
- Attack Active Directory environments using Kerberoasting, AS-REP roasting, BloodHound, DCSync and Kerberos ticket forgery
- Exploit Azure and Entra ID through password spraying, token theft, RBAC privilege escalation and hybrid identity attacks
- Escalate privileges on Windows and Linux using service misconfigurations, token impersonation, SUID abuse and potato attacks
- Show more
Learning Tracks: English
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Add-On Information:
- Course Overview
- Delve into the comprehensive methodology of modern red teaming, moving beyond simple vulnerability scanning to simulate realistic adversary behaviors in a controlled environment.
- Understand the lifecycle of a professional cyberattack, focusing on the strategic alignment between technical exploits and the business goals of the client organization.
- Explore the critical nuances of the Penetration Testing Execution Standard (PTES), ensuring that every phase of your assessment follows a globally recognized professional framework.
- Analyze the psychological aspects of social engineering and how human vulnerabilities can be integrated into a technical penetration test to bypass physical and digital perimeters.
- Examine the importance of Rules of Engagement (RoE) and the legal protections required to safeguard both the consultant and the enterprise during aggressive testing.
- Learn to differentiate between “loud” and “stealthy” testing techniques, understanding when to use aggressive automated tools versus manual, low-profile exploitation methods.
- Develop a granular understanding of how modern defensive technologies like EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) and SIEM solutions operate to better anticipate and evade detection.
- Build a foundation in the ethics of offensive security, focusing on the responsibility of the tester to maintain data integrity and confidentiality throughout the engagement.
- Requirements / Prerequisites
- A fundamental understanding of the OSI Model and how data travels across local and wide area networks via protocols like TCP, UDP, and ICMP.
- Basic literacy in Linux Command Line operations, including file system navigation, permission management, and the execution of shell scripts.
- Familiarity with Windows Administration concepts, such as managing users, groups, and understanding the role of the Windows Registry in system configuration.
- A working knowledge of Virtualization software such as VMware Workstation or Oracle VirtualBox to host and manage isolated laboratory environments safely.
- An analytical mindset and a persistent approach to problem-solving, as penetration testing often requires repeated attempts to bypass complex security controls.
- Previous exposure to basic security concepts like encryption, hashing, and the difference between symmetric and asymmetric cryptography.
- Skills Covered / Tools Used
- Master the use of Impacket, a collection of Python classes for working with network protocols, to perform remote service execution and credential manipulation.
- Utilize Responder to conduct Link-Local Multicast Name Resolution (LLMNR) poisoning and NetBIOS Name Service (NBT-NS) spoofing in local network segments.
- Implement sophisticated password recovery techniques using Hashcat and John the Ripper, focusing on rule-based attacks and custom wordlist generation.
- Execute advanced lateral movement strategies using CrackMapExec (CME) to enumerate shares, check for local admin access, and dump secrets across entire subnets.
- Establish persistent access within a compromised network using Scheduled Tasks, Registry Run Keys, and WMI event subscriptions to ensure long-term visibility.
- Perform advanced network pivoting using tools like Chisel or Ligolo-ng to bypass firewalls and reach internal resources not directly accessible from the internet.
- Leverage Mimikatz and its variants to extract plaintext passwords, NTLM hashes, and Kerberos tickets directly from the memory of the LSASS process.
- Apply PowerShell Empire or similar post-exploitation frameworks to automate tasks and maintain a footprint within a Windows-based enterprise environment.
- Utilize Burp Suite Professional (or Community) to identify and exploit web-based entry points that provide a bridgehead into the internal corporate network.
- Understand the mechanics of DLL Hijacking and Process Injection to execute malicious code within the context of trusted system applications.
- Benefits / Outcomes
- Attain a level of technical proficiency that allows you to confidently lead complex penetration testing engagements for high-value corporate clients.
- Bridge the communication gap between IT staff and executive leadership by learning to translate technical vulnerabilities into Business Risk and financial impact.
- Gain the ability to write high-quality, professional Penetration Test Reports that provide clear, actionable remediation steps for both developers and administrators.
- Increase your professional marketability in the cybersecurity industry, positioning yourself for senior roles such as Lead Pen Tester or Red Team Operator.
- Develop a robust toolkit of custom scripts and methodologies that you can carry forward into your professional career to increase efficiency and accuracy.
- Foster a “hacker mindset” that allows you to see complex systems not as they are designed, but as they can be manipulated to reveal hidden weaknesses.
- Secure a competitive edge in the job market by preparing for a certification that is globally recognized for its rigorous standards and practical focus.
- Establish a solid network of peer professionals through shared lab experiences and community discussions centered around the GIAC GPEN curriculum.
- PROS
- Provides a highly structured learning path that mirrors the real-world workflow of a professional security consultant.
- Balances theoretical knowledge with heavy hands-on application, ensuring skills are reinforced through practical lab exercises.
- Curriculum is updated frequently to reflect the latest trends in cloud security, hybrid identities, and modern Windows defense mechanisms.
- Includes high-fidelity Mock Exams that accurately simulate the pressure and complexity of the actual GIAC testing environment.
- CONS
- The cumulative cost of the training materials and the official GIAC certification exam can be a significant financial investment for individual learners without corporate sponsorship.