Phase 5: Specialization

Choose One Primary Path

Blue Team (Defensive Security)

  1. Microsoft SC-200 Content https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/sc-200/

  2. Splunk Free Training https://www.splunk.com/en_us/training/free-courses.html

Red Team (Offensive Security)

  1. PNPT Path https://certifications.tcm-sec.com/pnpt/

  2. PortSwigger Web Security Academy https://portswigger.net/web-security

Cloud Security

  1. AWS Cloud Practitioner (Free Course) https://explore.skillbuilder.aws/learn

  2. Azure Fundamentals (Free) https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/azure/

Home Lab Setup

  1. VirtualBox https://www.virtualbox.org/

  2. Kali Linux https://www.kali.org/

  3. Windows Server Evaluation https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/

  4. Metasploitable https://sourceforge.net/projects/metasploitable/

When Done Should Be Able To:

-Confidently perform blue or red team tasks

-Explain real-world attack chains

-Operate inside a home lab without guidance

-Apply for internships or entry-level security roles

-Continue building toward advanced certifications