Blog
Blue Team Level 1 Certification
A reflection on the preparation, exam, and what I learned from taking a hands-on blue team cert.
Feb 2026
Blue Team Level 1 Certification Experience
The Blue Team Level 1 course content was refreshingly hands-on and practical, especially compared to a lot of other security training I've seen. Every topic felt directly applicable, and the material encouraged me to work through real defensive tasks instead of just reading theory.
I used everything I learned from the course to prepare for the exam, and that practical foundation helped me earn an 85% mark (Just 1 question off of getting the golden coin).
What stood out most were the guided labs that simulated real incidents, they pushed me to think through alert prioritisation, triage, and containment in a 24hr time-pressured environment. Those exercises translated directly to the work that happens day-to-day in a SOC and helped me build confidence in operational decision-making.
The course helped me bridge the gap between conceptual security knowledge and repeatable defensive practices I can apply at work. The combination of practical labs and clear objectives made studying efficient and rewarding.
Short Version:
- Worked through labs that mirrored real blue team scenarios.
- Practiced detection, incident response, and defensive controls.
- Built confidence using the exact material from the course.