Red Team Ethical Hacking – Course Outline

A comprehensive program designed to equip learners with offensive security skills used to simulate real-world cyberattacks in order to strengthen organizational defenses.

Course Overview

This course provides practical training in adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by professional Red Teams. Learners will understand how attackers think, plan, and execute campaigns — ethically and legally — to test and improve security posture.

Target Audience:

• Cybersecurity professionals
• Penetration testers
• SOC analysts transitioning to offensive roles
• IT professionals (this could complement your Blue Team outline nicely 👀)

Prerequisites:

• Networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP)
• Basic Linux & Windows knowledge
• Familiarity with cybersecurity concepts

Module 1: Introduction to Red Teaming

Topics Covered:

• Red Team vs Blue Team vs Purple Team
• Ethical hacking legal frameworks & rules of engagement
• Red Team methodologies (MITRE ATT&CK overview)
• Scope definition and engagement planning

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand Red Team objectives and responsibilities
• Explain offensive security methodologies
• Identify legal and ethical considerations

Module 2: Reconnaissance & Intelligence Gathering

Topics Covered:

• Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
• Passive vs Active Reconnaissance
• Social media intelligence
• Network footprinting and scanning

Tools Covered:

• Maltego
• Shodan
• Nmap
• Recon-ng

Learning Outcomes:

• Perform structured intelligence gathering
• Identify attack surfaces
• Map organizational digital footprint

Module 3: Threat Modeling & Attack Planning

Topics Covered:

• Identifying high-value assets
• Mapping attack paths
• Adversary simulation planning
• Developing attack scenarios

Learning Outcomes:

• Create realistic adversary profiles
• Design attack chains
• Plan stealth operations

Module 4: Initial Access Techniques

Topics Covered:

• Phishing and spear phishing simulations
• Exploit development basics
• Credential harvesting
• Wireless attacks
• Physical security testing (authorized scenarios)

Tools Covered:

• Metasploit
• SET (Social-Engineer Toolkit)
• Burp Suite

Learning Outcomes:

• Execute controlled phishing campaigns
• Simulate real-world initial compromise
• Understand exploit frameworks

Module 5: Privilege Escalation & Persistence

Topics Covered:

• Windows & Linux privilege escalation
• Credential dumping
• Token manipulation
• Maintaining access (backdoors, persistence mechanisms)

Tools Covered:

• Mimikatz
• PowerShell Empire
• BloodHound

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify privilege escalation vectors
• Maintain controlled access ethically
• Understand persistence techniques

Module 6: Lateral Movement & Internal Recon

Topics Covered:

• Pivoting techniques
• Pass-the-Hash attacks
• Internal network mapping
• Active Directory attacks

Learning Outcomes:

• Simulate internal compromise
• Exploit weak internal trust relationships
• Navigate segmented networks

Module 7: Command & Control (C2) Infrastructure

Topics Covered:

• C2 frameworks and architecture
• Traffic obfuscation
• Domain fronting concepts
• Evading detection (defensive awareness)

Tools Covered:

• Cobalt Strike
• Sliver
• Covenant

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand C2 operations
• Simulate stealth communication channels
• Identify defensive detection gaps

Module 8: Social Engineering & Human Exploitation

Topics Covered:

• Psychological manipulation techniques
• Pretexting & impersonation
• Phone-based attacks (vishing)
• Awareness testing

Learning Outcomes:

• Design ethical social engineering tests
• Understand human attack vectors
• Measure organizational awareness

Module 9: Post-Exploitation & Data Exfiltration

Topics Covered:

• Sensitive data identification
• Exfiltration techniques (simulated environments only)
• Covering tracks & log evasion concepts
• Operational security (OPSEC)

Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate controlled data extraction simulations
• Analyze impact severity
• Maintain engagement safety

Module 10: Reporting & Remediation Guidance

Topics Covered:

• Writing executive summaries
• Technical report documentation
• Risk scoring frameworks
• Debriefing stakeholders

Learning Outcomes:

• Produce professional Red Team reports
• Translate technical findings into business risks
• Recommend mitigation strategies

Activities:

• Full-scope simulated attack
• Real-time adversary emulation
• Blue Team interaction (optional)
• Final reporting and defense presentation

Assessment:

• Practical simulation performance
• Written technical report
• Oral defense presentation

Certification & Assessment

• Practical lab-based evaluation
• Scenario-based penetration simulation
• Final written examination
• Certification of completion