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CurriculumT5 · AI for Cloud & Identity Attack PathsCredential access and cracking
T5AI for Cloud & Identity Attack Paths

Credential access and cracking

Once you have a foothold, credentials are the currency of escalation. Learn where Windows stores secrets, how attackers harvest them from LSASS, DPAPI and NTDS, and how offline cracking turns hashes into passwords.

Advanced4 min readprofessional streamUpdated Sat Aug 01 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Part ofThe AD Attack Chain, AI-Accelerated

Learning objectives

  • Map the main Windows credential stores and the access each one requires.
  • Distinguish harvesting a credential from cracking it, and know when cracking is even needed.
  • Explain pass-the-hash and pass-the-ticket and why a captured hash is immediately useful.
  • Use AI to triage harvested material while keeping every credential action behind human approval.

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The offensive techniques taught here are for authorised security testing only. The StrikeOps Academy labs are the sole sanctioned target unless you hold explicit written authorisation.