The Blue Team Level 1 (BTL1) certification is an entry-level defensive security certification focused on practical incident response, threat hunting, and security operations skills. It’s designed to validate hands-on capabilities in defending networks and responding to cyber threats, making it ideal for aspiring SOC analysts and incident responders.
Security Blue Team has a great reputation within the cybersecurity community, and this certification in particular has been provided to junior positions at companies such as Crowdstrike, Deloitte, Microsoft, and Malwarebytes.
Key Details
- Cost: £414
- Exam Code: BTL1
Detailed Overview
The BTL1 certification focuses on real-world defensive security skills that modern organizations need. The course material and exam are heavily practical, teaching you the actual tools and techniques used in Security Operations Centers (SOCs) worldwide.
Key areas covered include:
- Security Operations & SIEM platforms
- Network Security Monitoring
- Incident Response fundamentals
- Windows & Linux Security
- Threat Intelligence
- Basic Digital Forensics
- Log Analysis
- Threat Hunting
The certification includes both course materials and the exam. You’ll get access to:
- 40+ hours of video content
- Interactive labs and exercises
- Practice questions
- 6 months of access
- 2 exam attempts
- Active Discord community support
The exam itself is performance-based, requiring you to investigate security incidents, analyze malware behavior, and respond to threats in a simulated environment. This hands-on approach ensures you can apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios.
What sets BTL1 apart is its focus on practical skills over theoretical knowledge. While other certifications might test your memory of concepts, BTL1 tests your ability to actually perform blue team tasks. You also have the ability to earn either a gold or silver challenge coin, based on your performance in the exam.
As somebody who was completed BTL1 myself, as well as quite a few other entry level cyber security certifications while assessing for the SOC I manage, I’ve found that BTL1 offers the most real world usable knowledge, rather than just your ability to repeat information from a .pdf, making it a great pathway to enter into the world of Cyber Security.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the exam structured?
The exam is a hands on, 24 hour practical asessment that can be worked on at your own pace. You’ll work in a simulated environment completing real-world blue team tasks. There are no multiple choice questions – your practical skills are tested through actual incident response scenarios and security tool usage.
What’s the learning commitment and timeline?
While you get 6 months of access, most students working full time complete the course within 2 to 3 months, studying 8-10 hours a week. The course material is structured to allow for flexible learning, and you can revisit modules as needed.
What happens if I need to retake the exam?
Your enrollment includes two exam attempts with a 24 hour cooling off period between attempts. Additional attempts can be purchased if needed.
How can I earn the challenge coins?
By passing BTL1, you will earn the silver challenge coin. If you manage to pass with 90% or above on your first attempt, you will earn the golden challenge coin.
What are the requirements to attempt BTL1?
Apart from having a functioning computer and reliable internet connection, there are no mandatory prerequisites for BTL1. Basic IT knowledge is recommended before getting into the course, however the content does a great job of teaching the fundamentals and progressively builds up to advanced concepts.
Related Jobs
- SOC Analyst (Level 1/2)
- Junior Incident Responder
- Security Operations Engineer
- Threat Hunter
Related Certifications
- CompTIA Security+
- BTL2 (Blue Team Level 2)
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