Certified Network Defender (CND) Certification Guide 2026: Exam Overview, Costs, Domains & Study Plan
If you want to break into blue-team cybersecurity or level up your network defense skills, the Certified Network Defender certification is a focused, hands-on pathway worth serious consideration. In this ultimate guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about the EC-Council CND certification—exam structure, cost, prep strategies, and how it maps to real-world jobs—so you can build a confident plan to pass on your first attempt.
Note: Key facts in this guide are drawn from EC-Council’s current materials and official sources.
What Is the Certified Network Defender (CND)?
Learn everything you need to know about the Certified Network Defender (CND) exam — domains, blueprint, difficulty, and a step-by-step study plan to help you pass on your first attempt.
EC-Council’s Certified Network Defender (CND) is a vendor-neutral, blue-team certification designed to validate your ability to protect, detect, respond, and predict threats across modern networks. It’s built for defenders—network administrators, SOC analysts, infrastructure engineers, and security operations professionals—who need practical, repeatable skills for securing networks day to day.
Exam code: 312-38
Format: 100 multiple-choice questions
Duration: 4 hours
Delivery: Remote proctoring (EC-Council RPS) or Pearson VUE test centers
Passing criteria: Variable cut score per exam form
These details are taken directly from EC-Council’s certification page and store listings. [0†source] [0†source]
Actionable takeaway:
Before you start studying, confirm the delivery method that fits your schedule (RPS vs Pearson VUE) and block a target exam date. Having a date on the calendar helps you plan backwards and stay on track.
Why CND? Purpose and Unique Value
What sets CND apart is its defender-first lens. The curriculum and labs are structured around a practical cyber defense lifecycle: Protect, Detect, Respond, and Predict. That makes the learning highly applicable to real environments where you’ll be asked to harden systems, analyze traffic and logs, coordinate incident response, and use cyber threat intelligence to anticipate attacks. [0†source]
Other unique benefits:
Recognized baseline certification (U.S. DoD): EC-Council highlights CND’s recognition under DoD 8570, with approvals carried into DoD 8140 qualification pathways. This can make CND especially valuable if you’re targeting U.S. defense or contractor roles. [0†source]
Accredited and industry-aligned: EC-Council states CND is accredited to ISO/IEC 17024 and mapped to NICE 2.0 work roles, a signal that the skills map to standardized cybersecurity tasks. [0†source]
Hands-on orientation: The official course emphasizes labs and live ranges so you’re not just memorizing terms—you’re doing the work defenders do. [0†source]
Actionable takeaway:
If your career aim involves government/DoD roles or blue-team operations, put CND on your shortlist. Map your target job descriptions to CND domains to confirm the overlap.
Eligibility and Prerequisites
There are two paths to sit the CND exam:
Official training path
If you complete EC-Council’s official training (through iClass or an Accredited Training Center), you’re automatically exam-eligible.
Self-study path
If you prefer to self-study, you must demonstrate at least two years of information security experience and submit an eligibility application, including a non-refundable $100 fee. EC-Council reviews your application with verifier checks. [0†source]
Additional notes:
EC-Council maintains policies regarding age and identification; minors may require guardian consent and additional documentation. [0†source]
Actionable takeaway:
If you have 2+ years of infosec experience, the self-study route can save on training costs. Otherwise, official training + labs is often the faster, surer path to exam readiness.
Exam Structure and Content: Blueprint v4.0
The current CND Exam Blueprint is version 4.0. This blueprint defines the exact domains and weightings the exam focuses on, and it’s your best roadmap for study planning. [0†source]
Here are the eight domains you’ll be tested on (with their weightings):
Network Defense Management (10%)
Cyberattacks and defense strategies, foundation of defense-in-depth.
Network Perimeter Protection (10%)
Firewalls/IDS/IPS concepts, segmentation, secure gateways.
Endpoint Protection (20%)
Windows/Linux hardening, mobile/IoT security baselines and controls.
Application and Data Protection (10%)
Secure application practices, data security controls, encryption basics.
Enterprise Virtual, Cloud, and Wireless Network Protection (15%)
Cloud security (IaaS/PaaS/SaaS), virtualization/container security, wireless hardening.
Incident Detection (10%)
Traffic and log monitoring/analysis; baselining; alerting; triage.
Incident Response and Forensic Investigation (10%)
First responder steps; containment/eradication; forensic touchpoints; documentation.
Incident Prediction (15%)
Risk management, attack surface analysis, threat intel (CTI), indicators (IoC/IoA).
These weights are straight from the official CND v4.0 blueprint. [0†source]
Actionable takeaway:
Allocate your study time in proportion to domain weights. Endpoint (20%) and Enterprise Virtual/Cloud/Wireless (15%) plus Incident Prediction (15%) should get extra practice and review time.
Preparation Strategies and Resources
You’ll score higher—and retain more—by combining official materials with hands-on practice and timed assessments.
Start with official resources
Certification page and Handbook: Understand policies, exam outline, and FAQs. [0†source]
CND Exam Blueprint v4.0: Make this your study map. [0†source]
Official iClass training (on-demand or live): Includes labs and the complete 20-module outline. [0†source]
EC-Council CND Exam Prep (CyberQ): Timed, simulated practice with analytics to pinpoint weak areas. [0†source]
Build a small lab
Minimum viable stack:
Two or three VMs (Windows/Linux), a traffic capture tool (Wireshark), log aggregation (e.g., syslog + a lightweight SIEM or ELK stack), and a firewall/router simulation.
Practice blueprint tasks: endpoint hardening checklists, firewall/IDS concepts, traffic capture and analysis, log correlation for common events, incident runbooks. [0†source]
Network scenarios:
Test segmentation, ACLs, and basic IPS rules; create controlled “events” so you can detect them in traffic and logs.
Use timed practice tests
Start with one baseline practice test.
Study your weakest domain (by blueprint), drill those tasks, then re-test.
Repeat until you consistently exceed your personal threshold (e.g., 75–80%) with time to spare. [0†source]
Study timeline (8–10 weeks)
Weeks 1–2: Network defense management + perimeter controls
Weeks 3–4: Endpoint protection (Windows/Linux/Mobile/IoT)
Week 5: Application and data protection
Week 6: Virtualization, cloud, and wireless
Week 7: Incident detection (traffic/log monitoring)
Week 8: IR and forensics; risk, attack surface, CTI
Weeks 9–10 (optional): Full-length practice exams and gap remediation [0†source]
Exam integrity and ethics
Avoid brain dumps. EC-Council enforces exam integrity; policy violations can result in credential revocation. [0†source]
Actionable takeaway:
Print the v4.0 blueprint and check off each subdomain as you master it. Use your practice test analytics to guide weekly focus.
Cost and Investment (Typical Ranges)
Prices vary by region, partner, and bundle. Always confirm current pricing for your location. EC-Council uses free‑market pricing, so offers can differ. [0†source]
Exam vouchers:
EC-Council RPS (remote proctor): typically around $550 USD
Pearson VUE: typically around $650 USD [0†source]
Eligibility application (self-study): $100 USD (non-refundable) [0†source]
Retake policy and vouchers:
EC-Council limits the number of attempts per year and sets waiting periods; discounted retake vouchers are available. Check the current policy and pricing before scheduling. [0†source]
Training (optional but common):
iClass on-demand typically starts around $1,699; live online commonly from ~$2,499; bundles may include the exam voucher. [0†source]
Renewal and maintenance:
ECE policy: earn 120 ECE credits over a 3-year cycle and pay an $80/year CE fee through Aspen. [0†source]
Actionable takeaway:
If budget is tight and you have experience, go self-study + official Exam Prep. If you’re new to network defense, training with labs can accelerate your readiness and reduce retake risk.
Career Value and ROI
CND is particularly attractive if you’re targeting blue-team roles and environments with standardized requirements:
Government/Defense (U.S.): EC-Council highlights CND’s recognition as a DoD approved baseline certification under 8570 and carried into 8140/DCWF-aligned pathways. That can open doors for roles where a baseline cert is mandatory. Always verify your billet’s current matrix. [0†source]
Industry alignment: CND is mapped to NICE 2.0 role categories, reinforcing its job-task focus and portability across organizations. [0†source]
Team value: Because it’s practitioner-oriented, CND helps network admins and junior SOC analysts quickly align with defense-in-depth tasks—hardening baselines, monitoring, incident response routines, and threat-informed defense.
Actionable takeaway:
If your target jobs call for network defense, SOC operations, or DoD baseline certs, CND gives you both a credential and a practical skill set you can demonstrate in interviews.
Real-World Application: What You’ll Actually Do
CND isn’t just theory. You’ll practice the workflows defenders run every day:
Protect:
Implement segmentation; configure and validate firewall/IDS policies; harden Windows/Linux endpoints; set policies for mobile/IoT. [0†source]
Detect:
Capture network traffic; analyze with Wireshark; aggregate logs from endpoints, servers, and perimeter devices; build baselines and detect anomalies. [0†source]
Respond:
Triage alerts; collect and preserve evidence; coordinate containment and remediation; understand forensics fundamentals and reporting; plan BCDR exercises. [0†source]
Predict:
Conduct risk assessments; analyze attack surface; use CTI to inform detection and controls; update runbooks and playbooks proactively. [0†source]
Actionable takeaway:
Keep a “defender journal.” For each practice scenario, write a brief entry with the goal, steps taken, evidence snapshots, and the “what I’d automate next” reflection. It becomes a portfolio you can discuss in interviews.
Scheduling, Policies, and Logistics
Delivery choices:
Remote (RPS) or test center (Pearson VUE). Choose based on comfort, connectivity, and location access. [0†source]
Identification and environment:
Ensure valid government ID and a quiet, well-lit room (for RPS). Test your webcam, microphone, and network beforehand. [0†source]
Retake logistics:
EC-Council caps attempts and enforces wait periods; retake vouchers are discounted. Read the current policy before scheduling attempts. [0†source]
Actionable takeaway:
Do a dry run a week before your exam: test your machine, internet, webcam, and environment. Reduce on-the-day stress so you can focus on thinking.
A Week-by-Week Study Plan (Sample, 8 Weeks)
Week 1: Network defense strategy + perimeter fundamentals
Read blueprint domain summaries; diagram a simple defense-in-depth architecture. Packet filtering vs. stateful firewall vs. NGFW.
Week 2: Perimeter deep dive + logging pipeline
Build a basic log pipeline; lab firewall rules; create and detect policy violations in logs.
Week 3: Windows endpoint hardening
Benchmarks, GPO, auditing, credential hygiene; practice collecting relevant event IDs for investigations.
Week 4: Linux, mobile, and IoT
SSH hardening, package control, permissions; MDM principles; IoT network segmentation and firmware hygiene.
Week 5: App and data protection
TLS basics, secrets management, data classification, and encryption at rest/in transit.
Week 6: Virtualization, cloud, and wireless
Cloud shared-responsibility model; IAM guardrails; wireless encryption/auth; container security basics.
Week 7: Detection workflows
Wireshark labs; traffic baselining; log parsing; correlation practice; write a mini “SOC triage” checklist.
Week 8: Incident response, forensics, risk, and CTI
Build an IR playbook; practice evidence collection steps; perform a mini risk assessment and attack surface map; summarize CTI sources and integration into detections.
Actionable takeaway:
Take at least two full-length practice exams in Weeks 7–8. Review every missed item and tie each to a blueprint domain.
FAQs
Q1: Is official training required to take CND?
A1: No. You can self-study if you document 2+ years of information security experience and submit the $100 eligibility application. Otherwise, completing official EC-Council training (iClass/ATC) makes you exam-eligible. [0†source]
Q2: Is there a “CND Practical” exam?
A2: CND is a single multiple-choice exam (100 questions). EC-Council offers a CND Exam Prep (practice) product, but there isn’t a separate “CND Practical” like CEH Practical. [0†source]
Q3: What score do I need to pass?
A3: EC-Council uses a form-based cut score (variable). Typical ranges fall between 60% and 85%. [0†source]
Q4: How do retakes work?
A4: EC-Council sets waiting periods between attempts and caps the number of attempts per year; discounted retake vouchers are available. Review the current retake policy and pricing before scheduling your attempts. [0†source]
Q5: How do I keep my CND active?
A5: Earn 120 ECE credits within a 3-year cycle and pay a $80/year CE fee via your Aspen portal. [0†source]
Conclusion:
CND is a smart choice if you want to build practical, job-ready network defense skills while earning a credential that carries weight—especially for blue-team roles and defense contexts. Use the official Blueprint v4.0 to steer your study, practice hands-on each week, and validate your readiness with timed Exam Prep. If you’d like, I can personalize an 8-week plan and a minimalist lab build tailored to your background, budget, and target job titles.
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