Azure Active Directory And Azure Ad Domain Services Online Course

Active Directory is a critical component of modern IT infrastructure, serving as the centralized repository for user and group information, network resources, and security policies. As businesses increasingly rely on this service, it becomes essential for IT professionals to master its intricacies and best practices. With a plethora of online courses available, it can be challenging to identify the most effective and comprehensive training options. This article will delve into the top online courses for Active Directory, evaluating their content, delivery methods, and suitability for different skill levels and learning preferences.

Here’s a look at the Best Active Directory Courses and Certifications Online and what they have to offer for you!

Azure Active Directory And Azure Ad Domain Services Online Course

1. Active Directory & Group Policy Lab by Paul Hill (Udemy) (Our Best Pick)

The Active Directory & Group Policy Lab course is designed to provide learners with practical skills that they can use to advance their careers and secure high-paying jobs. The course is structured to cover critical areas of Active Directory and Group Policy, and it aims to equip learners with the knowledge and expertise needed to excel in these domains.

The course provides learners with an in-depth examination of Active Directory and Group Policy, ensuring that they have a thorough understanding of the key concepts, principles, and tools involved. The course is designed to deliver the required information quickly and efficiently, without consuming needless time.

The course is structured around ten sections, including an introduction, an optional lab setup, and a conclusion. Other sections cover topics such as Active Directory users and computers, Group Policy management, workstation management, and domain security. The course also includes discussions on PowerShell and Active Directory backups.

The Active Directory & Group Policy Lab course is designed to equip learners with the skills they need to excel in the workplace. The course focuses on delivering practical skills that learners can use in their careers, ensuring that they are well-prepared to tackle any challenges that may come their way. The course is ideal for individuals seeking to advance their careers and secure high-paying jobs in the IT industry.

2. Active Directory Pentesting Full Course – Red Team Hacking by Security Gurus (Udemy)

The Active Directory Pentesting Full Course is a Red Team Hacking Course that focuses on attacking and hacking Active Directory. This course is led by experienced Security Gurus and is designed to help security professionals understand, analyze, and practice threats and attacks in a modern Active Directory environment. The course comes with a beginner-friendly walkthrough videos course and all documents with all the commands executed in the videos.

The course covers a significant knowledge gap in AD security that security professionals and administrators struggle to fill. It includes real-world attack and defense scenarios that start with a non-admin user account in the domain and work their way up to enterprise admin. The course focuses on exploiting the variety of overlooked domain features and not just software vulnerabilities.

Topics covered in the course include AD enumeration, tools to use, domain privilege escalation, domain persistence, Kerberos based attacks (Golden ticket, Silver ticket and more), ACL issues, SQL server trusts, and bypasses of defenses. The course is structured in sections that cover Introduction, Local Escalation and Enumeration, Domain Enumeration, Lateral Movement, Domain Privilege Escalation, Domain Persistence and Dominance.

The course is based on the instructors’ years of experience of breaking Windows and AD environments and research. It aims to provide quality material and a good walkthrough and explanation that is often lacking in other trainings. The course is accompanied by all the documents necessary for a complete learning experience.

3. How to automate active directory labs for pentesting by Rajganesh Pandurangan (Udemy)

Title: Course on Automating Active Directory Labs for Pentesting

This course is designed to teach participants how to automate the creation of Windows-based lab environments for hacking, training demos, and other use cases. The lab will utilize the Hyper-V hypervisor on the Windows 10 host operating system, and AutomatedLab, which uses PowerShell, will be used for setting up the lab. Participants will learn how to install Hyper-V, AutomatedLab, and various operating systems, create simple and complex labs with Active Directory, and perform various activities in the virtual machines. The labs can be easily destroyed and relaunched without user intervention.

The course will be divided into four sections: Introduction, Lab Setup, How to Create Active Directory-Based Demo Labs Using Automation, and Group Policy Objects (GPO). In the Introduction section, participants will be introduced to the course and its objectives. The Lab Setup section will cover the installation of Hyper-V and AutomatedLab, downloading ISOs, and creating simple VMs with internet access. The section on How to Create Active Directory-Based Demo Labs Using Automation will teach participants how to create more complex labs with Active Directory. Finally, the section on Group Policy Objects (GPO) will provide an overview of this important feature of Active Directory.

Upon completion of this course, participants will have gained valuable knowledge in the automation of lab environments, Active Directory, software testing in various operating systems, and many other use cases. They will also have learned how to install Chocolatey and Sysmon.

4. Active Directory Administration for Helpdesk Technicians by John Courtenay (Udemy)

The course Active Directory Administration for Helpdesk Technicians is designed to teach IT professionals and helpdesk technicians how to manage Active Directory and Group Policy. Although the course was originally designed for Windows Server 2016, the fundamental principles remain the same for newer operating systems.

Active Directory has been around since Windows 2000 and remains largely the same for anything above this. Both Active Directory and Group Policy are essential skills for helpdesk technicians and are used universally in large companies with an IT helpdesk.

The course covers a range of topics including managing user accounts, groups and organizational units with the Active Directory users & computers console, setting and resetting passwords, using the search facility, creating and managing group policies, user password policies, group policy preferences, starter GPOs, replication and how the SYSVOL folder works.

The course also includes shortcuts and tutorials on command line utilities that may be useful in an IT support career. The course is divided into sections covering Active Directory: Introduction, User Accounts, Profiles and OUs, Groups & Object Nesting, Searching, Changing & Moving Objects, Group Policy: Introduction, User/Computer Policies & GPP, Password Policies & Policy Differences, WMI Filters & Starter GPOs, Modeling & Commands, and Preferences & Replication.

5. Active Directory Pentesting With Kali Linux – Red Team by Security Gurus (Udemy)

The Active Directory Pentesting With Kali Linux – Red Team Course is a beginner-friendly course designed to equip security professionals with the knowledge and skills to analyze and practice threats and attacks in a modern Active Directory environment. The course features walkthrough videos, all documents, and the commands executed in the videos. It is based on years of experience breaking Windows and AD environments and research.

The course addresses a gap of knowledge in AD security that security professionals and administrators struggle to fill. It simulates real-world attack and defense scenarios, starting with a non-admin user account in the domain and working towards enterprise admin. The course focuses on exploiting overlooked domain features and not just software vulnerabilities.

The course covers topics such as AD enumeration, tools to use, domain privilege escalation, domain persistence, Kerberos-based attacks, ACL issues, SQL server trusts, and bypasses of defenses. The course content and sections include Introduction, Network Enumeration, Domain Enumeration, SwisArmy-CrackMapExec, EvilWinRM + Local Privilege Escalation, PowerShell Empire, Metasploit, Domain Enumeration-RDP, Lateral Movement-RDP, Domain Privilege Escalation-RDP, and Domain Persistence and Dominance-RDP.

6. Active Directory on Windows Server by Kevin Brown (Udemy)

The course Active Directory on Windows Server is designed for IT professionals who wish to enhance their knowledge of Active Directory. The course covers several key features of Active Directory such as Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), Group Policy, Dynamic Access Control (DAC), Work Folders, Work Place Join, Certificate Services, Rights Management Services (RMS), Federation Services, and integration of on-premise environments with cloud-based technologies like Windows Azure Active Directory.

The course is suitable for both experienced IT professionals and those entering the field. The content covers Active Directory terms, deployment, user and computer account management, group administration, OU structuring and management, delegation configuration, Global Catalog placement planning, Read Only Domain Controller deployment, Operations Masters (FSMO Roles) management, Domain and Forest functional levels, Active Directory Recycle Bin implementation, Active Directory site design planning and configuration, Trusts relationships planning and creation, disaster preparedness and recovery of Active Directory, object restoration, and more.

The course is structured into several sections, including Introduction, Active Directory Overview and Terminology, Active Directory Installation, Domain Overview, Managing Active Directory Objects, Active Directory Login Process, Group Policy Fundamentals, Operations Master Roles, Understanding Forest and Domain Functional Levels, Read Only Domain Controllers (RODC), Managing Replication using Active Directory Sites and Services, Active Directory Trust Relationships, Backup and Restore of Active Directory, and Active Directory Certificate Services.

Throughout the course, participants will learn to configure and manage all aspects of Active Directory, DNS, and several other technologies. The course will equip participants with the skills necessary to become a master of Active Directory.

7. PowerShell for Active Directory Administrators by Kevin Brown (Udemy)

The PowerShell for Active Directory Administrators course is designed to teach students how to manage Active Directory users, computers, groups, security settings, and more on Windows Server using PowerShell. The course is suitable for those who work with Active Directory regularly and need to automate tasks using PowerShell. The course content includes creating and modifying user and computer accounts, managing group membership and properties, performing PowerShell queries to find inactive accounts, and using PowerShell to manage Active Directory remotely.

In addition to these core concepts, students will also learn about the security issues related to PowerShell and PowerShell Remoting, how to enable the Active Directory Recycle Bin, and how to use the Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC) PowerShell features. The course is living, which means that it will be continuously updated to reflect changes in the industry and new developments in PowerShell.

The course is divided into 13 sections, including a course introduction, lab setup, an overview of PowerShell, learning the PowerShell Console and PowerShell ISE, and various sections on Active Directory user, computer, and group account management. Other sections cover topics such as searching for inactive accounts, updating and modifying Active Directory objects, using PowerShell remote management, and exploring PowerShell providers.

By the end of the course, students should have a solid understanding of PowerShell and how to use it to manage Active Directory efficiently and effectively. The course is taught by Kevin Brown, an experienced instructor in PowerShell and Active Directory.

8. TOTAL: Active Directory with Windows Server 2016 by Total Seminars • 900,000+ Enrollments, Barbara Andrews (Udemy)

This course, titled TOTAL: Active Directory with Windows Server 2016, is offered by Total Seminars and taught by instructor Barbara Andrews. Barbara Andrews has over 20 years of experience in working with various Microsoft products, including Windows Server, SQL Server, System Center, Azure, and Hyper-V. She is also a Master HPE ASE certified trainer and SalesForce Admin. The course aims to teach students about identity, access, and authentication with Microsoft AD and Identity with Windows Server 2016.

The course is ideal for newly-minted Network or Security Admins or anyone aspiring to become one. The course covers various topics, including installing and configuring Active Directory Domain Services, managing and maintaining AD DS, creating and managing Group Policy, implementing AD Certificate services, and implementing Identity Federation and Access Solutions.

The course is designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge to manage identities in Active Directory. Network administrators earn an average annual salary of $88,400, and the course is an excellent option for those looking to gain in-depth knowledge about Active Directory.

The course is divided into five sections, and each section is further divided into smaller topics. The first section covers installing and configuring AD DS, while the second section deals with managing and maintaining AD DS. The third section is about creating and managing Group Policy. The fourth section is about implementing AD Certificate Services, and the final section covers implementing Identity Federation and Access Solutions.

Overall, this course is an excellent option for those looking to gain knowledge about Active Directory, and it covers a wide range of topics that are relevant for aspiring network and security admins.

9. Learn Microsoft Exchange Server and Hybrid, Office 365 & DAG by Mohammed Niyas (Udemy)

The Learn Microsoft Exchange Server and Hybrid, Office 365 & DAG Course is a practical course that covers all topics related to Exchange server, Hybrid Office 365, Exchange Server Migration, and DAG. The course includes 117 videos, 18.5 hours of content, practicals in Azure Infrastructure, and has a rating of 4.5+.

The course is designed to provide an understanding of Microsoft Exchange and the deployment of a single Exchange Server and Exchange Hybrid Setup. It is intended for IT professionals who want to learn how to administer and support Exchange Server. The course covers topics such as installing and configuring Exchange Server, managing client connectivity, message transport and hygiene, and highly available Exchange Server deployments.

The lectures include videos, slides, scripts, quizzes, and projects. The course starts from the most basic level of knowledge and provides a solid foundation to advanced concepts such as Advanced Exchange Server, Hybrid Configuration with Exchange Online, Exchange Server Migration, and DAG.

The course covers various topics such as Active Directory for Exchange Server, domain name system, client access service, outlook on the web, address book, mobile ActiveSync, edge transport server, hybrid exchange, migration, decommissioning servers, and backup and restore using windows backup and Veeam.

The course content is structured into sections that cover the introduction, basics of email system, active directory, domain name system, introduction to Exchange Server, deploy basic Exchange Server, post configuration mail transport, post configuration client access, mobile client access, edge transport server, hybrid exchange, migration and mail flow management, decommissioning Exchange Server in a hybrid setup, introduction to Exchange Server migration, coexistence, database availability group, and Exchange Server permissions.

10. [Active Directory] Management using Windows PowerShell by TechSckool By Vijay (Udemy)

The Active Directory Management using Windows PowerShell course is offered by TechSckool By Vijay. It aims to provide practical knowledge that simplifies automation & management of Active Directory using Windows PowerShell. The course is updated frequently, the latest update being in July 2022.

The course purchase includes video lectures, practice files, quizzes, & assignments, 1-on-1 instructor support, lifetime access, and a 100% money-back guarantee. The course will continue to receive updates with new lectures covering new features of PowerShell Scripting. Students are encouraged to enroll, provide honest reviews & ratings, and demand a lecture on a specific topic that comes under the scope of this course.

This course is intended for system administrators who want to advance their skills in Active Directory Management. It teaches how to automate daily work related to Active Directory using PowerShell scripting. The course is suitable for professionals who have a basic idea of the command line and want to start with PowerShell automation for Active Directory.

The course is designed to be completed in 2 weeks, with a daily commitment of 30 minutes. Upon completion, students will find it easy to automate Active Directory tasks using PowerShell. The course covers various topics, such as Lab Setup for Active Directory, PowerShell Basics, Active Directory Basics, AD Users Management using PowerShell, Group Management using PowerShell, OU Management using PowerShell, Bulk Request Management using PowerShell, Cleanup Management using PowerShell, and Reports using PowerShell.

The course is a one-stop-shop for gaining the necessary and in-demand skill of Windows PowerShell for IT professionals working on Active Directory & Windows Server Administration. It enables students to learn Active Directory and administer it using PowerShell.