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CRTE

My Journey to Passing the Certified Red Team Expert (CRTE)

Embarking on the journey to achieve the Certified Red Team Expert (CRTE) certification was a transformative experience that honed my skills in red teaming and Windows Active Directory exploitation. Here’s a recount of my path to success.

Understanding the Lab and Course Structure

The Windows Red Team Lab by Altered Security is meticulously designed to replicate real-world attack-defense scenarios. The course begins with a non-admin user account and progresses towards gaining enterprise admin access across multiple forests. Key learning areas included:

  • Active Directory enumeration
  • Local and forest privilege escalation
  • Network pivoting
  • Application allowlisting bypass
  • Kerberos delegation issues
  • SQL Servers and forest trusts
  • Azure hybrid identity

Preparation and Study

  1. Lab Access and Course Material:
  2. I opted for the 90-day lab access package which included 14+ hours of video content, course slides, and two comprehensive lab manuals.

  3. The video courses with English captions were invaluable for understanding complex concepts.

  4. Hands-On Practice:

  5. The lab environment, featuring fully patched Server 2019 machines, provided a realistic setting for practicing attacks and defenses.

  6. I focused on abusing Active Directory and Windows features, simulating active user scenarios, and exploring modern adversary attack paths.

  7. Resources and Tools:

  8. The dual lab manuals, one for standalone tools and the other for command and control (C2) solutions, were crucial for navigating different attack vectors.
  9. Walk-through videos helped in resolving particularly challenging tasks.

Certification Exam

The certification exam was a comprehensive test of all the skills and knowledge acquired during the course. It required not just technical prowess but also the ability to think like an adversary and adapt strategies on the fly. The emphasis on understanding defenses and their bypasses was particularly challenging yet rewarding.

Key Takeaways

  • Thorough Understanding of AD: Gaining deep insights into Active Directory exploitation and defenses.
  • Practical Experience: The hands-on lab work provided practical experience that theoretical study alone could not offer.
  • Adaptability: Learning to adapt and use various tools and techniques depending on the scenario was a critical skill developed through this course.

Conclusion

Achieving the CRTE certification was a rigorous yet incredibly rewarding experience. It has significantly enhanced my capabilities in red teaming and prepared me for advanced security challenges. For anyone looking to advance their career in cybersecurity, especially in red teaming, the CRTE certification from Altered Security is an excellent investment. You can verify my Credential HERE.

CRTE