From the Field
Tradecraft, career advice and research notes written by the same red team that teaches our courses. No fluff, no recycled news.
Network Pentesting
Active Directory Security Testing Fundamentals
A practitioner's introduction to Active Directory security testing: the attack paths that matter, the MITRE ATT&CK techniques behind them, and the core tools (BloodHound, Impacket, Responder) used to find them.
Network Pentesting
External vs Internal Penetration Testing
External vs internal penetration testing compared: where the tester starts, what each one measures, the techniques involved, and when you need each type of engagement.
Network Pentesting
Internal Network Penetration Testing Methodology
A repeatable internal network penetration testing methodology grounded in NIST SP 800-115 and PTES: planning, discovery, attack, and reporting, with the techniques used at each phase.
Network Pentesting
Network Reconnaissance for Penetration Testers
How network reconnaissance works for penetration testers: the funnel from host discovery to service enumeration, how Nmap scan types differ, and why thorough recon decides the engagement.
Network Pentesting
How to Prepare for OSCP-Style Network Labs
How to prepare for OSCP-style network labs: how the exam is scored, the standalone-plus-Active-Directory structure, and a practice plan that builds the enumeration and pivoting skills the exam rewards.
Offensive Python
How to Build a Port Scanner in Python (Lab Walkthrough)
Step-by-step guide to building a working TCP port scanner in Python from scratch: raw socket logic, threading for speed, banner grabbing, and output formatting — all lab-safe.
Offensive Python
Offensive Python vs General Python Programming
How offensive Python differs from general-purpose Python development: different goals, different libraries, different standards for code quality, and how to transition from one to the other.
Offensive Python
Python Automation for Penetration Testing
How to use Python to automate repetitive penetration testing tasks: scan parsing, credential spraying logic, HTTP enumeration, subprocess wrappers, and building reusable testing pipelines.
Offensive Python
Python for Cybersecurity: From Beginner to Offensive Security
A practical roadmap for using Python in cybersecurity: what to learn first, where offensive Python differs from general scripting, and which tools and skills matter for real engagements.