Clearing the Certified Red Team Professional (CRTP) certification was a significant milestone in my cybersecurity journey. It was not just about passing an exam, but about building a strong foundation in Active Directory exploitation and Red Teaming through hands-on learning.

Building the Foundation

Before starting CRTP, I focused on strengthening my fundamentals.

I began by learning Active Directory basics through the TCM Security Practical Ethical Hacking course, which helped me understand core concepts like domains, authentication, and common attack surfaces.

To reinforce this knowledge, I practiced extensively on platforms like:

  • TryHackMe
  • Hack The Box

These hands-on labs helped me gain confidence in:

  • Enumeration techniques
  • Basic exploitation
  • Understanding real-world attack scenarios

CRTP Preparation Phase

Once I was comfortable with the basics, I enrolled in the CRTP lab subscription by Altered Security (1 month).

During this phase:

  • I completed all the course videos
  • Practiced each learning objective in the lab environment
  • Revisited challenging concepts multiple times

The labs were highly practical and closely simulated real enterprise Active Directory environments, which made the learning experience very effective.

Exam Day Experience

When the exam day arrived, I approached it with proper preparation.

  • I ensured I was well-rested by getting proper sleep
  • Stayed hydrated and focused before starting

The exam duration was 24 hours, but with a structured approach and prior practice, I was able to complete the exam in around 12 hours.

The key during the exam was:

  • Strong enumeration
  • Logical attack chaining
  • Staying calm under pressure

Reporting Phase

After completing the exam, I was given 2 days to submit the report.

I focused on:

  • Documenting step-by-step attack paths
  • Including clear proof-of-concept evidence
  • Providing remediation recommendations

I completed and submitted the report within 1 day.

The Result

After about a week, I received the email confirming that I had successfully cleared the CRTP certification.

It was a rewarding moment that reflected the effort put into:

  • Learning
  • Practicing
  • Staying consistent

Conclusion

CRTP is an excellent certification for anyone looking to build expertise in Active Directory security and Red Teaming. The journey requires dedication, but the practical knowledge gained is highly valuable for real-world engagements.