It's been a while since I last posted something on here. I'll be honest, I've been busy teaching myself the basics of OpSec and red teaming. OpSec stands for Operational Security, and it's really important in red teaming due to the inherent nature of penetration testing and ethical hacking.
My Background Going In
Before diving into the course details, let me give you some context about where I was coming from. I started as a monitoring analyst, got promoted to threat hunter, and was eventually hired as an apprentice red team operator by my previous company. That's when I was told I'd need to take the RTAC exam. So I only had blue team work experience going in, though I did dabble in bug bounties and learned a good amount of theory while studying at Augusta University.
Course Structure and Format
I took this class virtually over the course of a week, though you can take it in person if you prefer. I chose the virtual option because from what I'd heard, it wasn't crazily difficult, and I had months of practice under my belt, so I wasn't really worried about failing the exam. The course runs for five days with the exam on the Saturday following the course, so you're looking at a six-day commitment total.
While the days were long, I have to say I enjoyed the instructors - they're awesome people with great real-world experience. The teachers are actual red teamers who conduct real assessments and then rotate out to teach the class, which brings valuable practical insight to the material.
What Made the Training Platform Special
I was lucky enough to be given access to K54's training platform for my preparation. Every day, I worked on the multiple scenarios they offered, and I really enjoyed the program. It felt like a great way to actively learn Active Directory, and I really came to appreciate what K54 had to offer. I completed every single lab scenario except Neverlands - I only stopped there because the VM I was given couldn't handle that environment and was always aggressively laggy.
Hands-On Learning Approach
The course is very hands-on, which is, in my opinion, the best way to learn. There's a lecture explaining the topic at hand, followed by exercises for you to try. You also get access to an online range that you can build and tear down as many times as you like. The scenarios are a great way to familiarize yourself with Cobalt Strike and understand actual red teaming - not just blasting the network with unapproved tools and loud port scans. You'll also learn quite a bit about Active Directory if you weren't already familiar with it.
A Note About the Content Creator
I should mention that the person who created many of the scenarios, Nick, is no longer with K54 as he went on to create his own company, Rogue Labs. While I personally haven't taken any of his new courses yet, I've spoken to people who have, and they have nothing but great things to say about Nick and Rogue Labs. Regardless, the content at K54 is still great and provides a good challenge for those interested in red teaming.
The Reality of Cost and Value
Here's where I'll be completely honest: I only got this certification because I had to for my job. While I really appreciate what K54 is and what they offer, I think the course is overall too expensive to pay for yourself. Even if you were looking to pay for an entry-level red teaming course, I think the CRTO (Certified Red Team Operator) and Rogue Labs' ROPS-1 are better buys for individuals and companies.
Career Impact and Market Reality
The certification hasn't had a huge impact on my career prospects, to be honest. I think the only people actively looking for K54 certifications are government-affiliated teams, which makes sense given the price point - it's so high that only the government would typically pay for it. I think most private sector employers would prefer the CRTO over it. I haven't seen a company specifically ask for this certification in a job posting yet.
What You Get Beyond the Training
The course does send you some really nice gear and books to keep. I've been using the bag they sent me ever since. It's a nice touch that adds value to the overall package.
Is It Worth It?
The bottom line: If you can get it for free like I did, I think it's a great place to learn red teaming and operational security fundamentals. The course covers the foundations of functional red teaming including OSINT, Active Directory, reconnaissance, target exploitation, and more.
However, if you're paying out of pocket or your company is footing the bill, there are more cost-effective options available that will give you similar or better practical skills for real-world red teaming work.
The hands-on approach, quality instructors, and comprehensive lab environment make it a solid learning experience - just be realistic about the cost-to-benefit ratio for your specific situation.