CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS
IN 150 COUNTRIES

What is the EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND) Program?

EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (CND) is an essential vendor-neutral network security certification for every IT and systems administrator who needs to operate with a secure mindset.

Students will learn the critical skills required to defend their networks and operating environments across local networks, endpoints, cloud infrastructure, applications, OT, and mobile. They will also acquire knowledge of effective proper log analysis, network traffic monitoring, basic investigation and response, as well as business continuity and disaster recovery. Additionally, they will dive into threats, analyzing the attack surface, and studying threat prediction and threat intelligence as it relates to their administration and defense responsibilities.

Often referred to as blue-teaming, CNDs will be able to apply defense and countermeasure strategies in their organizations, playing a critical role not only in attack prevention but also in detection, response, and remediation as they configure networks and systems to operate securely. The CND program will cover the concepts and fortify skills through hands-on practice across over 100+ labs delivered on live target machines.

The CND program designed by industry experts prepares network defenders with strategic, technological, and operational network security capabilities, enabling them to design, develop, and maintain secure networks.

EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (CND) program, a network security course is a pathway to start your career in cybersecurity and in blue team. CND’s network security course stands out from other networking programs as it offers a comprehensive approach that extends beyond networking skills and builds robust networking security skills.

Everyone learns differently, so we offer on-demand, live, and several other options to customize your training based on your learning style. Build your package below.

Single On-Demand
Certification Course

Starting at
$1,699

Single Live Online
Certification Course

Starting at
$2,499

CND Program Information

Course Outline

What Skills You'll Learn

Training and Exam Details

Brochure

Course Outline

Module 01: Network Attacks and Defense Strategies

This module covers mechanisms of various attack techniques and hacking methodologies that attackers use to breach the security of an organization’s networks.

It also introduces defense strategies that network defenders should adopt to ensure comprehensive network security. Key topics covered: Attack, threat, threats sources, threat actors, vulnerability, risk, network attacks, application attacks, social engineering attacks, email attacks, mobile attacks, cloud attacks, supply chain attacks, wireless attacks, hacking methodologies and frameworks, adaptive security strategy, and defense-in-depth security.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help to understand the modus operandi of different attacks at network, application, and host levels.

Module 02: Administrative Network Security

This module covers administrative security measures, including compliance efforts, creating and enforcing security policies, security awareness training, asset management, etc.

Key topics covered: Compliance, regulatory frameworks, security policies, security awareness, asset management, and recent cybersecurity trends.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help to demonstrate skills in security policy implementation, asset management, employee monitoring, etc.

Module 03: Technical Network Security

This module covers the technical aspects of network security. It describes the concepts of access control, Identity and Access Management (IAM), cryptographic security techniques, and various network security devices and protocols.

Key topics covered: Access controls, Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA), IAM, cryptography, network segmentation, zero trust, network security controls, and network security protocols.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills in implementing access controls, VPN, etc.

Module 04: Network Perimeter Security

This module covers the security configuration of network perimeter devices such as firewalls, intrusion detection and intrusion protection systems (IDSs/IPSs), routers, switches, etc., for effective perimeter protection.

Key topics covered: Firewalls, firewall types, firewall topologies, firewall selection, firewall implementation and deployment, firewall administration, IDS/IPS, IDS/IPS classification, IDS/IPS selection, false positives, false negatives, router security, switch security, software-defined perimeter (SDP).

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help to demonstrate skills in perimeter security, which includes how to configure and implement firewalls and IDS/IPS with the help of well-known tools such as pfSense, Smoothwall, Windows Firewall, iptables, Suricata, Wazuh, ModSecurity, etc.

Module 05: Endpoint Security – Windows Systems

This module covers various security features and secure configuration techniques used to secure Windows systems.

Key topics covered: Windows security risks, Windows security components, Windows security features, Windows security baseline configurations, user account and password management, Windows patch management, Windows user access management, active directory security, Windows network services and protocol security, and Windows security best practices.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate Windows security skills, including but not limited to Windows patch management, Windows file integrity, Windows endpoint protection, Windows security configuration baseline, active directory security, security troubleshooting, permissions, etc.

Module 06: Endpoint Security – Linux Systems

This module covers the Linux OS, its security features, and the various techniques to harden the OS security.

Key topics covered: Linux security risks, Linux installation and patching, Linux user access and password management, Linux OS hardening techniques, Linux network and remote access security, and Linux security tools and frameworks.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills in Linux security, including but not limited to system hardening, system security auditing, file integrity monitoring, permissions, access controls, etc.

Module 07: Endpoint Security – Mobile Devices

This module covers securing the use of mobile devices under various mobile usage policies implemented and enforced in enterprises.

Key topics covered: Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), Choose Your Own Device (CYOD), Corporate Owned, Personally Enabled (COPE), Company Owned, Business Only (COBO), Mobile Device Management (MDM), Mobile Application Management (MAM), Mobile Threat Defense (MTD), Unified Endpoint Management (UEM), Mobile Email Management (MEM), Mobile Content Management (MCM), Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM), mobile device security, android security, and iPhone security.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills in implementing MDM solutions and various mobile security measures.

Module 08: Endpoint Security – IoT Devices

This module covers the use of IoT devices, the associated security challenges and risks, as well as appropriate security measures implemented to secure IoT-enabled environments.

Key topics covered: IoT devices, IoT application areas, IoT ecosystem, IoT communication models, IoT-enabled environments, IoT security risk and challenges, IoT security in IoT-enabled IT environments, IoT security tools, IoT security best practices, IoT security standards, initiatives, and efforts.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills to secure IoT device communication.

Module 09: Administrative Application Security

This module covers various application security measures implemented to monitor, patch, and upgrade the installed applications constantly.

Key topics covered: Application whitelisting, application blacklisting, application sandboxing, application patch management, and web application firewalls (WAFs).

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills in application whitelisting, application sandboxing, WAF, etc.

Module 10: Data Security

This module covers various security measures implemented to secure an organization’s data from prying eyes.

Key topics covered: Data security, data encryption data at rest, data encryption at transit, data masking, data backup, data retention, data destruction, data loss prevention (DLP), and data integrity.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills in data encryption at rest, data encryption at transit, database encryption, email encryption, data backup, data recovery, disk encryption, etc.

Module 11: Enterprise Virtual Network Security

This module covers virtualization concepts and technologies such as network virtualization, software-defined network, and network function virtualization and their security.

Key topics covered: Network virtualization (NV), software-defined network (SDN), network function virtualization (NFV) security, OS virtualization security, container security, docker security, and Kubernetes security.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills in docker security audit, SDN communication security, Kubernetes security, etc.

Module 12: Enterprise Cloud Security

This module covers the various aspects of enterprise cloud security that are important for an organization to securely store or process data on the cloud.

Key topics covered: Cloud Computing, cloud security, shared responsibility model, Amazon Cloud (AWS) Security , Microsoft Azure cloud security, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) security.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills in AWS IAM, AWS KMS, AWS Storage, Azure MFA, GCP IAM, Azure Resource locking, and GCP Cloud IAP.

Module 13: Enterprise Wireless Network Security

This module covers various security measures and best practices used to secure wireless networks in enterprises.

Key topics covered: Wireless network, wireless standards, wireless topologies, wireless network components, wireless network encryption, wireless network authentication, wireless network security measures, and Wi-Fi security tools.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills in wireless router security.

Module 14: Network Traffic Monitoring and Analysis

This module covers threat, bandwidth, and performance monitoring with the help of network traffic monitoring and analysis.

Key topics covered: Network traffic monitoring, baseline traffic signatures, suspicious network traffic signatures, threat detection with Wireshark, bandwidth monitoring, performance monitoring, network anomaly detection, and behavior analysis.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills in packet capturing, traffic monitoring, traffic analysis, threat detection, and bandwidth monitoring with tools such as Wireshark, tcpdump, PRTG, Capsa, NTOP, etc.

Module 15: Network Logs Monitoring and Analysis

This module covers threat detection with the help of log monitoring and analysis.

Key topics covered: Logs, Windows log analysis, Linux log analysis, Mac log analysis, firewall log analysis, router log analysis, web server log analysis, and centralized log management.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills in configuring, viewing, and analyzing logs in a local as well as a centralized location.

Module 16: Incident Response and Forensics Investigation

This module covers the role of incident response and forensic investigation in an organization’s security.

Key topics covered: First responder, incident handling and response process, SOAR, endpoint detection and response (EDR), extended detection and response (XDR), and forensics investigation.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills in incident ticketing, reporting, and escalations with OSSIM.

Module 17: Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery

This module covers concepts around business continuity and disaster recovery.

Key topics covered: Business Continuity (BC), Disaster Recovery (DR), Business Continuity Management (BCM), BC/DR Activities, Business Impact Analysis (BIA), Recovery Time Objective (RTO), Recovery Point Objective (RPO), Business Continuity Plan (BCP), and Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP).

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills in implementing business continuity and disaster recovery scenarios with NLB.

Module 18: Risk Anticipation with Risk Management

This module covers various phases in implementing and executing an organization’s risk management program.

Key topics covered: Risk management, risk identification, risk assessment, risk treatment, risk treatment steps, risk tracking and review, risk management frameworks (RMFs), vulnerability management, vulnerability scanning, vulnerability reporting, and privacy impact assessment (PIA).

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills in network security audit, vulnerability management, application vulnerability scanning, and analysis.

Module 19: Threat Assessment with Attack Surface Analysis

This module covers concepts around visualizing, analyzing, and reducing the attack surface.

Key topics covered: Attack surface, attack surface analysis, system attack surface, network attack surface, software attack surface, physical attack surface, human attack surface, Indicators of Exposures (IoEs), attack simulation, attack surface reduction, attack surface monitoring tools, and cloud and IoT attack surface analysis.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills in system attack surface analysis, application attack surface analysis, attack surface mapping, etc.

Module 20: Threat Prediction with Cyber Threat Intelligence

This module covers leveraging threat intelligence capabilities for responding quickly, decisively, and effectively to emerging threats.

Key topics covered: Cyber threat intelligence, threat Intelligence types, Indicators of Compromise (IoCs), Indicators of Attack (IoA), threat intelligence layers, threat intelligence sources, threat intelligence feeds, threat intelligence platforms (TIP), and threat hunting.

The hands-on lab exercises in this module help demonstrate skills in integrating OTX threat feeds, threat hunting, etc.

Appendix (Self-Study)
Appendix A: Computer Network Fundamentals	Appendix B: Physical Network Security
Appendix C: Virtual Private Network (VPN) Security	Appendix D: Endpoint Security – MAC Systems

What Skills You'll Learn

Training and Exam Details

Brochure

Key Features and Critical Components of The CND Program

The Certified Network Defender program has been upgraded and loaded with battle-ready ammunition to help blue teams defend and win the war against network breaches.

1. Protect

Defense-in-depth security strategy

Protect Endpoints
Protect Data
Protect Network

2. Detect

Continues Threat Monitoring

3. Respond

Incident Response

4. Predict

Threat Intelligence
Threat Hunting
Attack Surface Analysis

1. Policies, Procedures, and Awareness 2. Physical 3. Perimeter 4. Internal Network 5. Host 6. Application 7. Data

1. Identify 2. Protect 3. Detect 4. Respond 5. Recover

1. Preventive Approach 2. Reactive Approach 3. Retrospective Approach 4. Proactive Approach

Key Benefits of the CND Program

Build Your Network Security Career and Skills with the CND Program

Your Pathway to a Career in Blue Team

The Protect, Detect, Respond, and Predict approach defines the job roles of a blue team security professional. One can continue their career as a network defender or later transition into a niche job profile as CND covers a base understanding of blue teams.

Master Mobile and IoT Security Defense

The first network security certification program to offer device and enterprise-level security for its students. Career changers planning a move into cybersecurity will also benefit from this program.

Learn Tactical Defense of Cloud Services (AWS, Azure, and GCP)

Learn different ways to ensure security across various cloud platforms—Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure Cloud, and Google Cloud platform.

Learning Beyond Technical Aspects

CND is the only network security certification that offers a chance to learn beyond the technological aspects of network security. The module strongly focuses on the strategic domain with special attention to adaptive and defense-in-depth security, framing network policies, achieving compliance, and the operational domain to learn the implementation of the above decisions.

Building Perimeter Defense Skills

CND puts the spotlight on perimeter defense as the latest technologies have made networks too complex for everyone. Perimeter defense can help with modern security requirements.

Build Job Ready Practical Skills in Live Ranges

Learn network defense management, perimeter protection, endpoint protection, application and data protection, enterprise virtual, cloud, and wireless network protection, incident detection and response, and threat prediction.

Learn the Latest Technologies

The latest technologies covered include cloud, IoT, virtualization and remote worker threats, attack surface analysis, threat intelligence, software-defined networks (SDN), network function virtualization (NFV), docker, Kubernetes, and container security.

Learn the Latest Concepts to Match Modern Network Security Requirements

Learn asset management, system integrity monitoring, endpoint detection and response (EDR), extended detection and response (XDR), user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA), privacy impact assessment (PIA), threat hunting, security orchestration automation and response (SOAR).

Build Hands-On Skills with 100+ Labs Simulating Real-Time Environment

More than 50% of the CND course contains hands-on labs. Every learning objective is demonstrated using complex advanced labs that simulate a real-time environment with real-life networks and platforms.

Learn In-Depth Attack Surface Analysis

The key to cyber risk management is in-depth attack surface analysis. CND's network security course trains you to identify what parts of your organization need to be reviewed and tested for security vulnerabilities and how to reduce, prevent, and mitigate network risks.

How Does the CND Compare to Other Programs?

Certification	Focus	Vendor Type	Security Focus
CND	Network Security	Vendor Neutral	Defend networks and operating environments and apply countermeasure strategies
CCNA	Networking	Vendor Specific (CISCO)	Basic security aspects
Network+	Networking	Vendor Neutral	Security basics, common attacks, and awareness

In summary,

1. CND focuses on network security, while CCNA and Network+ focus mainly on networking with a small focus on security basics/fundamentals.

2. CCNA is vendor-specific to CISCO, while Network+ and CND are vendor-neutral.

Are you interested in learning robust network security skills? The CND is the comprehensive network security course of choice in cybersecurity, with the best coverage of networking concepts and secure design delivered through the Protect, Detect, Respond, and Predict learning process. If you have done CCNA or Network+, add network security skills to your hardware and networking skills with the CND.

*Above is an EC-Council view of other certifications in the industry.

Why Do Top Network Security Professionals Across the Globe Love the CND Certification?

Only Certification for Network Security

Other programs emphasize the understanding of networks, but CND shows the weaknesses in a network and how to cover them to protect the networks.

CND is the single certification that pays the most attention to security. CND teaches you about a network and how you can incorporate security within a network. CND covers a wide range of topics, including securing data storage, protecting machines, configuring network sites, and even delves into physical security measures such as cameras and access control systems.

Robinson Shai

Cybersecurity Professional, South Africa

Watch Now

Incomparable to any Network Security Program

CND has also helped me achieve a lot and higher certifications in the field because it laid a great foundation for my career. You can never compare CND

with any program. CND comes with this unique approach to networking. In CND, you learn the seven layers of the OSI model, understand the basic concept of putting things together, and understand your network is the key area. CND provides knowledge on securing your systems, the infrastructure, and every part of your Internet of Things, monitor the log analysis side, which shows how logs can be analyzed and investigated.

Samuel Boateng

President and CEO of Slamm Technologies, USA

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A Complete Network Security Program

CND has upgraded my knowledge in a way that I was able to use that knowledge in the operational and strategical environment and apply that knowledge to increase the

security of the company networks. There are plenty of security vendors and training programs in the market. But they cannot compare it to CND. CND is the most complete program that covers all necessary topics regarding network security. CND covers major cybersecurity approaches like preventive, reactive retrospective, and proactive security. This will help plan, establish, and maintain the security in the network as well as properly react in the case of an incident.

Ivica Gjorgjevski

Information Security Officer, Stopanska Banka, Macedonia

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CND FAQs

CND Program

CND Certification

C|ND Training

CND Program

The EC-Council’s CND can be the ideal professional certification if you are a network security and defense professional looking to enhance your skills in the industry. The worldwide recognition of CND attests to your critical knowledge and skills, conveying to employers that you can make a valuable contribution to the security team or your pathway to a career in the blue team of an organization. Moreover, the CND is the first network security program with a continual/adaptive security approach inclusive of the ‘protect, detect, predict, and respond’ to the network security systems.

Becoming a network defender is much more than just gaining the certification. The CND serves as a pathway to elevate your professional skills. While there are a few prerequisites to follow – you must have an educational background in IT, cybersecurity, or related fields along with working experience in the respective fields. You can enroll in a professional program that adds value to your journey like the EC-Council’s CND certification program. By obtaining the CND certification, you can open up several career opportunities in the network security field.

Aspiring candidates who want to pursue the CND training have various options. You can engage in training through EC-Council’s Accredited Training Centers (ATCs), participate in iWeek (Live classes, opt for self-paced learning with iLearn, attend in-person training sessions, or choose the Education Partner route,) which offers both in-person and online training opportunities.

To attend the CND class, students should have at least fundamental knowledge of networking concepts to take up the CND certification program in the EC-Council. The program equips you with the strategic and technological skills for network security roles. Upon passing the C|ND examination, you obtain the certification. Stay updated with the latest industry trends, participate in workshops and seminars, and get practical experience in incident response and risk management. Finally, develop leadership skills, contributing to offering solutions to advance defense strategies.

The CND certification equips you with skills to qualify for roles such as:

Network Administrators
Network Security Administrators
Network Engineer
Data Security Analyst
Network Security Engineer
Network Defense Technician
Security Analyst
Security Operator
Network security
Cybersecurity Engineer

Yes, the CND course is applicable for beginners. Network security skills are the basic fundamental skill set for any cybersecurity professional. To begin with the training program, students should have fundamental knowledge of networking concepts. CND is an intermediate-level professional program where anyone who works as a network administrator, security analyst, network engineer, and more can join the program.

A Certified Network Defender identifies, protects, and prevents cyber threats to a network. They inspect networks for malware or unauthorized access, conduct penetration testing, and fix vulnerabilities. The defenders also maintain the organizations’ security by installing and updating software, keeping the networks resilient and intact in the face of evolving cyber threats.

The EC-Council’s CND certification is the best network security program with the first-ever adaptive security approach. If you want to become proficient in network security skills, CND is the only globally recognized program that teaches robust network security skills beyond networking fundamentals, unlike any other program. It is ANAB-Accredited and recognized by the DOD, the program is developed and designed by SMEs worldwide with seasoned cybersecurity professionals when the demand for certified network defenders is rising with the rapid expansion of the network security industry. Forecasts indicate a surge in revenue, indicating a bright future with a growth rate of 12.58% between 2023 and 2028. This clearly shows the dominance of the network security industry, which is why CND specialists are in greater demand.

The EC-Council’s CND certification is the best network security program with the first-ever adaptive security approach. If you want to become proficient in network security skills, CND is the only globally recognized program that teaches robust network security skills beyond networking fundamentals, unlike any other program. Accredited by the ANAB ISO/IEC 17024 and recognized by the DOD, the program is developed and designed by SMEs worldwide with seasoned cybersecurity professionals when the demand for certified network defenders is rising with the rapid expansion of the network security industry. Forecasts indicate a surge in revenue, indicating a bright future with a growth rate of 12.58% between 2023 and 2028. This clearly shows the dominance of the network security industry, which is why CND specialists are in greater demand.

Certified Network Defender (CND) is an ANAB-accredited professional certification program the EC-Council offers. With an exclusive focus on defense and network security, it offers the best knowledge and practical skills necessary for safeguarding networks. Being the first program to offer an adaptive security (protect, detect, respond, and predict) approach, CND covers a wide spectrum of network security controls, risk management, security system solutions, security policies, and many more. Upon earning the certification, professionals gain an insight into the values and practices to protect the network’s integrity and confidentiality.

There are quite a few learning routes one can consider. You can pursue all Blue Team certifications and the CND, like the CTIA, ECIH, CSA, and CHFI, to acquire specialized skills and knowledge in domains like SOC, threat Intelligence, digital forensics, and incident response. And since network security skills are basic skills needed for every cybersecurity professional, CND is also a good starting point for every red team certification, like CEH for ethical hacking and CPENT for pen testing.

Network Security is a strong defense against cyberattacks, data breaches, and unauthorized access. It protects people and organizations from financial losses and reputational damage, protecting the confidentiality of important data. EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender is the world’s only adaptive security certification that prepares network defenders with strategic, technological, and operational network security capabilities to secure networks.

You can begin with online courses, offline programs, or introductory certifications. Further, EC-Council’s CND provides a solid understanding of network security and defense for a specialized training program. Even for those looking to switch to cybersecurity from IT or a similar field to boost their skills, CND can be the ideal certification. The four-pronged approaches of EC-Council’s CND program, including protection, detection, response, and prediction, ensure a holistic understanding of network security. Further, CND helps you discover several ways to ensure security in different cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure Cloud, and more.

The Certified Network Defender (CND) program is a popular and widely recognized program in the cybersecurity industry for addressing topics including security policy and incident response, specifically focusing on network security and defense. CND is the first program to provide enterprise-level security for IT and mobile devices. It is also listed as a baseline certification under DoD CND’s reputation as the industry standard, which is further enhanced by its tactical defense of cloud services and its career towards the blue team, where professionals’ ability to protect, detect, respond, and predict approaches defines the team.

28 DCWF Job roles that recognize EC-Council Certifications.

EC-Council Certification	DoD 8140 Approved Work Roles
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)	111 – All-Source Analyst 141 – Warning Analyst 511 – Cyber Defense Analyst 531 – Cyber Defense Incident Responder 541 – Vulnerability Assessment Analyst 661 – Research & Development Specialist
CERTIFIED ETHICAL HACKER PRACTICAL (CEH PRACTICAL)	111 – All-Source Analyst 141 – Warning Analyst 511 – Cyber Defense Analyst 531 – Cyber Defense Incident Responder 541 – Vulnerability Assessment Analyst 661 – Research & Development Specialist
CERTIFIED CHIEF INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER (CCISO)	611 – Authorizing Official/Designating Representative 722 – Information Systems Security Manager 723 – COMSEC Manager 731 – Cyber Legal Advisor 801 – Program Manager 802 – IT Project Manager 803 – Product Support Manager 804 – IT Investment/Portfolio Manager 805 – IT Program Auditor
COMPUTER HACKING FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR (CHFI)	211 – Forensics Analyst 212 – Cyber Defense Forensics Analyst 221 – Cyber Crime Investigator
CERTIFIED NETWORK DEFENDER (CND)	511 – Cyber Defense Analyst 521 – Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist 531 – Cyber Defense Incident Responder
EC-COUNCIL CERTIFIED INCIDENT HANDLER (ECIH)	531 – Cyber Defense Incident Responder

CND Certification

To obtain your CND certification, review the requirements provided by the EC council. Enroll in the official CND training program the EC-Council offers to gain extensive information about network security and defense. Next, take the CND exam, which, upon passing you obtain the CND certification.

The CND certification varies based on factors such as the preferred program delivery mode (in-person, online, self-study). For specific details on the CND program and certification costs, please visit the official website of the EC-Council. Feel free to reach out to our career advisors to inquire about the certification cost and available funding options. We will gladly find you the most suitable price and program for your convenience. Click here to connect:

The certified network defender is designed as a five-day program. The certification exam (312-38) follows a multiple-choice format of 100 questions. Candidates get 4 hours to complete the exam. It is crucial to obtain a passing score of 60% to 85%. It is crucial to note that specific details may be subject to updates; thus, candidates should confirm the most up-to-date details from the EC-Council or an authorized training provider.

Factors including your experience, industry specifics, location, and local demand for cybersecurity knowledge determine the certified network defender certification’s earning potential. The average salary for a network security engineer in the United States is $125,014. Progression is correlated with increased earnings; this salary range depends on the job profile and experience levels.

Certified Network Defender (CND) is a program designed to help businesses build and deploy strong network defenses for all-encompassing cybersecurity. The program is ANAB-accredited, in association with NICE 2.0. It is approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) 8140/8570. CND is also recognized by the National Cyber Security Centre NCSC – part of GCHQ (UK’s intelligence, security, and cyber agency), which approves EC-Council training as meeting CYBOK requirements.

The Certified Network Defender (CND) by EC-Council is one notable certification in the industry. CND’s strengths are its comprehensive curriculum covering security controls, incident response, and protocols. Offering holistic learning, it blends innovative theory with hands-on skills. You gain skills that enable you to craft robust network defense strategies. Further, with EC-Council’s global acclaim, having a CND certification is gaining industry recognition.

An ideal network security certification program celebrates the strengths of each program. CCNA and Network+ provide valuable insights into networking fundamentals; however, to have a deeper understanding of network security, the (CND) certification from the EC-Council can be an ideal choice. While CCNA focuses on CISCO-specific networking and Network+ takes a vendor-neutral stance, CND offers comprehensive knowledge with its adaptive security approach. Also, obtaining the CND certification is a logical next step for those who have already earned their CCNA or Network+ certifications.

Blue Team is the organization’s security team that protects the company against cyber threats. Their primary goal is to defend the organizations using the adaptive security approach. Here, the ‘protect’ component secures digital assets against potential threats, ‘Detect’ identifies and analyzes security breaches, ‘Respond’ answers effectively to incidents, and ‘Predict’ emphasizes proactive measures by utilizing experiences from previous events.

The Certified Network Defender (CND) offers professionals various skills among the top blue team certifications. CND equips you to protect, detect, respond, and predict cyber threats, emphasizing network defense. The CND certification by EC-Council is intended to strengthen an organization’s security by educating professionals on how to fend against potential threats. It places comprehensive approaches with a strong focus on practical experience, ensuring that the professionals are equipped to handle changing cyber threats.

The NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Cybersecurity Framework, housed in the US Department of Commerce, assists businesses in understanding and managing cybersecurity dangers. Being voluntary, it offers the best practices across the areas–’ Identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover,’ helping organizations prioritize effective cybersecurity protection.

Learning network security according to the NIST framework provides many advantages. The framework is an industry-standard providing a comprehensive risk management approach. The framework is also needed for DoD contracts. It is globally recognized and continuously updated to address emerging threats and technologies. By learning this versatile framework, security professionals align their skills with international standards and industry best practices.

28 DCWF Job roles that recognize EC-Council Certifications.(DCWF Job roles that Recognize CHFI are highlighted)

EC-Council Certification	DoD 8140 Approved Work Roles
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)	111 – All-Source Analyst 141 – Warning Analyst 511 – Cyber Defense Analyst 531 – Cyber Defense Incident Responder 541 – Vulnerability Assessment Analyst 661 – Research & Development Specialist
CERTIFIED ETHICAL HACKER PRACTICAL (CEH PRACTICAL)	111 – All-Source Analyst 141 – Warning Analyst 511 – Cyber Defense Analyst 531 – Cyber Defense Incident Responder 541 – Vulnerability Assessment Analyst 661 – Research & Development Specialist
CERTIFIED CHIEF INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER (CCISO)	611 – Authorizing Official/Designating Representative 722 – Information Systems Security Manager 723 – COMSEC Manager 731 – Cyber Legal Advisor 801 – Program Manager 802 – IT Project Manager 803 – Product Support Manager 804 – IT Investment/Portfolio Manager 805 – IT Program Auditor
COMPUTER HACKING FORENSIC INVESTIGATOR (CHFI)	211 – Forensics Analyst 212 – Cyber Defense Forensics Analyst 221 – Cyber Crime Investigator
CERTIFIED NETWORK DEFENDER (CND)	511 – Cyber Defense Analyst 521 – Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist 531 – Cyber Defense Incident Responder
EC-COUNCIL CERTIFIED INCIDENT HANDLER (ECIH)	531 – Cyber Defense Incident Responder

C|ND Training

*For more details on Certification Policies & FAQ’s please refer to our Certification Website

19. Managing proxy, content filtering, and troubleshooting network issues
20. Hardening security of endpoints and selecting firewall solutions
21. Configuring IDS/IPS for enhanced security
22. Maintaining an inventory of network devices
23. Providing security awareness guidance and training
24. Managing AAA for network devices
25. Reviewing audit logs and analyzing security anomalies
26. Maintaining and configuring security platforms
27. Evaluating security products and operations procedures
28. Identifying and classifying organizational assets
29. Implementing system integrity monitoring tools
30. Understanding EDR/XDR and UEBA solutions
31. Conducting PIA processes for privacy assessment
32. Collaborating on threat hunting and incident response
33. Understanding SOAR platforms in cybersecurity operations
34. Integrating Zero Trust principles into security architectures
35. Staying updated on emerging cyber threats
36. Understanding the role of AI/ML in cyber defense.

CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALSIN 150 COUNTRIES

What is the EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND) Program?

Everyone learns differently, so we offer on-demand, live, and several other options to customize your training based on your learning style. Build your package below.

CND Program Information

Course Outline

What Skills You'll Learn

Training and Exam Details

Brochure

Course Outline

Course Outline

What Skills You'll Learn

What Skills You’ll Learn

Training and Exam Details

Training Days: 5 Days

iLearn (Self-Study)

iWeek (Live Online)

Training Partner (In Person)

Exam Details:

Brochure

Key Features and Critical Components of The CND Program

1. Protect

2. Detect

3. Respond

4. Predict

Key Benefits of the CND Program

Build Your Network Security Career and Skills with the CND Program

How Does the CND Compare to Other Programs?

In summary,

Why Do Top Network Security Professionals Across the Globe Love the CND Certification?

Robinson Shai

Samuel Boateng

Ivica Gjorgjevski

CND FAQs

CND Program

CND Certification

C|ND Training

CND Program

Is the CND worth getting?

How do I become a Certified Network Defender?

How do I get started with the CND?

How do I become a CND expert?

What jobs can I get after the CND certification program?

Is the CND for beginners?

What does a CND do?

Is the CND a popular certification?

How much demand is there for the CND?

What is the CND?

What other learning paths can I take with CND?

Why is network security important?

How do you learn network security?

Is CND the best Network Security Program?

What are the DCWF (DoD 8140) job roles that recognize CND Certification?

CND Certification

How do I get my CND certification?

How much does the CND certification cost?

What is the course duration for CND?

How much can I earn with a CND certification?

Is the CND Accredited?

Which is the best network security certification?

CCNA vs. Network+ vs. CND, which is the best network security certification?

What is a blue team?

Is CND the best blue team certification?

What is the NIST cybersecurity framework?

Why is learning Network security per the NIST framework an advantage for a career?

What are the DCWF (DoD 8140) job roles that recognize CHFI Certification?

C|ND Training

How do I get a voucher for the C|ND?

How do I enroll for the C|ND certification?

What resources are provided in the C|ND program?

How long does it take to become a C|ND?

What does the C|ND cover?

Are there any prerequisites for the C|ND?

What do I get as a student in C|ND?

Is the C|ND a hands-on program?

Where can I find C|ND training?

Can I take the C|ND course online?

Which industries need a network security professional?

Accreditations, Recognitions and Endorsements

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