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About Pwned Labs

Pwned Labs is a hands-on cybersecurity training platform built for practitioners. We train security professionals on real attacker tradecraft across cloud security, AI security, Kubernetes security, and CI/CD security.

With 40,000+ registered users, industry-recognized certifications, and enterprise cyber ranges, we are building the go-to platform for organizations that need their teams ready for what comes next.

Our Mission

We exist to make world-class cybersecurity education accessible to anyone, regardless of background. We train the next generation of cybersecurity practitioners through hands-on labs, real attacker tradecraft, and industry-recognized certifications. We also work with enterprises globally to build cyber resilience through upskilling, readiness simulations, and AI-powered defense.

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Our Values

We believe the best cybersecurity professionals learn by doing. Every lab on our platform uses real cloud environments, real attack techniques, and real consequences. We never settle for simulated. We build for practitioners.

We believe cybersecurity talent should not be gated by geography, income, or background. Through sponsored bootcamp places for women in cybersecurity and lifetime discounts for active service members and veterans, we actively work to make this industry more accessible.

We believe competition sharpens skill. Our cyber ranges, capstone CTFs, and certification exams push learners to prove what they know under pressure. But we also believe the cybersecurity community wins together. Our 10,000+ member Discord, open-source tools, and free learning resources exist because when professionals share knowledge, everyone gets stronger.

How we pwn

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Realistic cloud labs

Our cloud security labs deploy real infrastructure in AWS, Azure, GCP, and Kubernetes — not simulations. Each lab walks you through genuine attack chains and defensive techniques, with clear guidance on what to log, what to alert on, and how to remediate. From IAM misconfigurations to cross-cloud lateral movement, every scenario is modelled on the threats your team will face in production.

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Cloud bootcamps

Our instructor-led, 4-week bootcamps take you deep into real-world cloud attack chains and defensive engineering across Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud. With live sessions, lifetime access to recordings and lab environments, and two exam vouchers included, you’ll build practical skills and earn an industry-recognized cloud security certification — MCRTP, ACRTP, or GCRTP.

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Cyber Ranges

Our multi-flag Cyber Ranges drop you into complex, multi-cloud environments where you must chain techniques across web apps, cloud services, and identity systems to reach your objective. Each range is designed to test real-world decision making — from initial reconnaissance through lateral movement and privilege escalation — giving your team the closest thing to a live engagement without the risk.

How we pwn

Realistic cloud labs

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Cloud bootcamps

Get hands-on experience with attacking and defending in the cloud in our live 4-week-long instructor-led bootcamps.
Build your skills and attempt the exam and prove your skills and get your cloud certification! 

Cyber Ranges

Whether it's assessing web vulnerabilities or moving between cloud providers to increase privileges, our cyber ranges put your skills to the test in realistic, multi-cloud environments.

Real-World Cloud Security Labs

 

Go from Zero to Hero with our byte-sized content.

 

Join us on Discord

Join a vibrant community of cloud security professional.

What we've done so far!

  • December 2022

    The first prototype of Pwned Labs (then called Cloud Pwned) was created.

  • May 2023

    Pwned Labs was formed with the objective to make cloud security skills accessible to all.

  • September 2023

    Pwned Labs was launched to the market, with 30 free labs across AWS, Azure and M365.

  • December 2023

    We launched our Pro Tier of labs, with dynamic, writable vectors and allowing users to explore complex cloud environments and kill chains.

  • May 2024

    We launched ThunderDome, the first of our multi-flag Cyber Ranges available to annual subscribers. Electra and Mirage joined the pack, with our Skyfall cyber ranges released for enterprise subscribers.

  • September 2024

    We held our first Cloud Attack and Defense Bootcamp, focusing on Azure and M365, with AWS and GCP bootcamps following over the next few months.

  • November 2024

    PWNCLOUDOS, the multi-cloud security platform for hackers and defenders, was launched.

  • March 2025

    We launched our Pwned Labs for Business platform allowing users to manage students, rotate seats, create custom playlists and track activity.

Our Founders

Ian Austin, CEO

IanAustin


Cybersecurity practitioner, leader, and startup builder. Deep experience in the cybersecurity upskilling industry across strategy, content innovation, and enterprise growth. Expert market knowledge in cloud and AI security.

Sheeraz Ali, CTO

SheerazAli


Sheeraz Ali, engineer, information security professional, and open-source advocate. Speaker at major security conferences including Nullcon and c0c0n. Holder of 21 CVEs and multiple industry-recognized security certifications.

Rob Alport, CMO

RobAlport


Experienced marketing leader with a proven track record of building and scaling marketing functions to drive revenue. Focused on digital and demand generation with deep expertise in content, product marketing, and brand building.