OSCP vs HTB CAPE’s [Certified Active Directory Pentesting Expert]

Jose Campo
3 min readDec 10, 2024

Active Directory environments are often a challenge for OSCP candidates due to their complexity and the specific skills required. HTB CAPE’s [Certified Active Directory Pentesting Expert] focused curriculum makes it a natural choice for those seeking extra preparation. Let’s see how it compares to OSCP+, its AD portion at least.

The HTB Certified Active Directory Pentesting Expert (HTB CAPE) is the new kid of the block for AD pentesting. Its very indepth content makes it very temptive as a preparatory tool for Offsec OSCP+ cert. and the AD portion of the exam . The hands-on labs in CAPE are designed to simulate real-world AD scenarios, providing practical experience that aligns well with the challenges encountered in the OSCP exam. For students who find themselves underprepared in the AD portion, CAPE offers targeted, in-depth training that the generalist OSCP labs may not fully cover.

However, cost-effectiveness is an important factor to consider. CAPE is an investment, both in terms of money and time, and students need to evaluate whether the benefits justify the expense. While CAPE’s focus can accelerate learning and provide a deeper understanding of AD, some of the material may overlap with what is already covered in the PEN-200 course, especially for those with strong foundational knowledge. On the…

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Jose Campo
Jose Campo

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