United States Department of Defense Recognizes the Certified Network Defender (C|ND) as an Active-Duty Qualification for Cyber Workforce Job Billets Critical to National Security

With a constant rise in cyber attacks and the never-ending evolution of the cyber battlefield, equipping cyber security workforce members with cyber defense skills is more important now than ever. As the US DoD transitions from DoD 8570 to DoD 8140, the newest release of the DoDM 8140 “The Manual” provides clarity on what certifications help to qualify cyber operators and cyber security workforce members for their roles.

EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender is a cornerstone certification providing credentials and qualifications to 10 different cyber security job roles across the Department of Defense. This mandate affects everyone in the cyber security workforce from contractors, active-duty service members, up to members of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and everyone in-between with cyber security responsibilities.

28 DCWF Job Roles that Recognize EC-Council Certifications.

Below DoD job roles updated as on May 27th 2024.

Through the release of DoDM 8140, the manual helps to clarify how certifications can help qualify our forces at various levels of duty. The DoD is narrowing its focus from job categories formerly identified in the DoD 8570 Baseline Charts to now indicate basic, intermediate, advanced levels of each distinct job title or billet. Formerly popular certifications like CompTIA’s Security+ served a broad set of roles in the IAT Space but no competency or requirement level was specified. With the release of the 8140 Manual, US cyber forces can now see graduating levels of knowledge, for example.

In the (411) Technical Support Specialist, the basic skill level can be covered with a Security+ certification; however, as the job requirements and expectations increase, it is necessary to move into the more technical EC-Council C|ND certification to satisfy the intermediate requirements. Aligning the program complexity with the technical aptitude certification holders obtain should provide the US with a better-equipped cyber workforce.

What are DoD 8140 and DoDM 8140?

DoD 8140, Department of Defense Directive 8140, in combination with DoDM 8140 and DoDI 8140, collectively serve as a comprehensive set of guidelines that navigate the classification and qualification requirements for individuals serving in cyber security capacities within the United States Department of Defense.

The three documents jointly accomplish the following:

• Establish a mandate across the DoD for the required qualifications of members working in the DoD cyber space workforce
• Identify specific members of the DoD cyberspace workforce based on their assigned work roles
• Implement policies, assign role-based responsibilities, and outline procedures for the qualifications of personnel in the DoD cyberspace workforce

Since 2007, EC-Council has been instrumental in offering multiple approved certifications that have a global impact on the training and certification of DoD members, contributing significantly to the qualification and capability development of US military forces and DoD components.

What is the DoD Cyberspace Workforce Framework (DCWF)?

The DoD Cyberspace Workforce Framework (DCWF) presents a structured taxonomy for cyberspace work roles, detailing the associated responsibilities through requirements for tasks, knowledge, and skills. When combined with DoD 8140, the DCWF establishes specific work role requirements and qualification criteria for members of the DoD Cyber Workforce.

CND – Certified Network Defender

About C|ND Program:

EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (C|ND) is a vendor-neutral network security certification that equips students with the critical skills required to defend networks and analyze and harden computing systems in the current IT infrastructure. Certified network defenders are trained to apply defense and countermeasure strategies, contributing not only to attack prevention but also to detection, response, and remediation processes and techniques. Students learn through a lab-intensive program and build skills through hands-on learning with over 80 complex labs.

C|ND Program Outline

Key Benefits and Features of C|ND

1. The world’s first network security program with adaptive security strategy: 1. Protect 2. Detect 3. Respond 4. Predict
2. 100+ hands-on labs: more labs than any globally recognized network security certification
3. The C|ND is a mix of theory and practical sessions, which gives students hands-on training experience.
4. Accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board under ANSI ISO/IEC 17024
5. Pathway to a Career on a Blue Team
6. Mobile and Internet of Things (IoT) Security
7. Tactical Defense of Cloud Services
8. Learning Beyond Technical Aspects
9. Building Perimeter Defense Skills
10. Immersive Practical Training
11. Recognized by the National Cyber Security Centre NCSC – part of GCHQ (UK’s intelligence, security, and cyber agency) Approves EC-Council Training as meeting CYBOK requirements.

C|ND Training and Examination Information to Get Certified

Please visit the C|ND Training Page, complete the form, and speak to a career advisor who will guide you through the certification process and address any other queries regarding the course.

Training Options
Training Options: iLearn (Self-Study) / iWeek (Live Online) / Master Class / Training Partner (in person)

Examination Format
Number of Questions: 100
Test Format: Multiple Choice
Test Duration: 4 Hours

For more information visit C|ND Certification & Training Program