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EC-Council · Cybersecurity

EC-Council CND

Network defence through protective configuration, monitoring, threat awareness and response.

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Understand the subject

Network defence through protective configuration, monitoring, threat awareness and response.

Apply it to the work

Useful when a network or infrastructure administrator takes responsibility for reducing exposure and recognising signs that protection has failed.

Build practical evidence

Be comfortable with network devices, traffic flows and operating systems. Start by securing and monitoring a small network you understand.

What you will learn to do

Understand the subject

Network defence through protective configuration, monitoring, threat awareness and response.

Apply it to the work

Useful when a network or infrastructure administrator takes responsibility for reducing exposure and recognising signs that protection has failed.

Build practical evidence

Be comfortable with network devices, traffic flows and operating systems. Start by securing and monitoring a small network you understand.

Certification essentials

Requirements, costs and keeping it current.

Check the vendor record and ongoing commitment alongside the career guidance.

Pricing view
Market

Vendor record

Live

EC-Council lists exam 312-38 as a four-hour multiple-choice assessment. Training labs should not be described as a practical certification exam.

Source: EC-Council · Read 19 September 2026

Sourced fields only; this does not mean every exam detail has been verified. Pricing and renewal policies have their own sources and check dates. Confirm the currency, tax and final booking total with the vendor.

Role-fit guidance is TechWaymark editorial interpretation. It is separate from the recorded vendor facts and does not measure hiring outcomes.

Costs and renewal

Exam cost
US$550 remote / US$650 test centre
Exam format
Exam format not yet verified — check the vendor's exam page
Keeping it current

Maintain 120 continuing education credits over 3 years and pay the annual CE fee. Paying the fee alone does not fulfil the learning requirement.

Renewal sources & exceptions

Certificate validity is extended in line with fee payments and the CPE cycle. C|CISO has a different fee from CEH, CND and CHFI; check the provider's fee table.

Renewal policy checked 2026-09-28. Check the linked provider policy for current fees and eligibility.

CND exam voucher: RPS remote or Pearson VUE. Training and eligibility application are separate. Pearson VUE option: https://store.eccouncil.org/product/cnd-vue-exam-voucher/ Vendor price checked 2026-09-24. Check the vendor record before booking.

Current vendor pricing source ↗
Preparation and practical skills

Recommended prior knowledge

  • Networking fundamentals

Common misconceptions

  • EC-Council CND may meet a named requirement; it does not guarantee shortlisting or replace documented work.

What this cert does NOT guarantee

  • Guaranteed interviews, a salary increase or proof of production experience.
Alternatives and related certifications

Where this fits

  • None required
This cert
EC-Council CND
  • Top of this lane

Alternative routes

No single right path. These adjacent options reach similar roles.

  • CEH
    Common follow-on or adjacent credential, see the graph for full lineage.
  • CySA+
    Common follow-on or adjacent credential, see the graph for full lineage.

Adjacent & overlapping

  • CEH
  • CySA+
Career outcomes and limitations

Realistic first roles

Network defence

How people actually get here

    Real-world career variations

    Timeline expectations

    1. Months 0–2Foundation reading, concepts, vocabulary.
    2. Months 2–4Hands-on labs, documented home projects.
    3. Months 4–6Practice exams, weak-area drills, exam.
    4. Post-examUse target vacancies to guide applications and projects. There is no guaranteed time to a first role.

    Study resources

    Study options

    Choose the right mix for your goals and experience. Links below go to official and third-party resources.

    Guided study

    Structured resources from established providers can help build knowledge and skills.

    Compare study options →

    Third-party providers. Commercial terms, pricing and availability apply.

    Practice environments

    Explore suitable environments for practical work. Check the tools, features and access you need.

    Compare practice resources →

    External resources. Check current costs and access requirements.

    Resources are selected for relevance. Compare access, syllabus coverage and total cost; a listing does not imply a commercial partnership.

    Compare the resources for EC-Council CND
    CourseProvider source

    EC-Council CND official training

    Instructor-led

    Check the resource provider for current local pricing
    View resource
    ReferenceProvider source

    CND exam blueprint and modules

    Reading

    Free resource; confirm current access terms
    View resource

    Check the current syllabus, access terms and total cost before choosing. Resource inclusion does not guarantee exam success.

    Optional home projects

    Build something you can explain.

    Ideas to explore after choosing a certification, using your own tools and keeping evidence of your work.

    Example project evidence
    Project evidence map (example)
    Segmentation diagram and rule rationaleScope and inputs
    Connectivity test matrixDecisions and reasoning
    Evidence record (example)
    EvidenceWhat to capture
    Segmentation diagram and rule rationaleShow the inputs, scope and decisions behind this record. Guest access cannot reach management services.
    Connectivity test matrixInclude the evidence supporting your conclusion. A denied path is tested directly rather than inferred from configuration.

    Segment an office network and prove the allowed paths

    A small office has staff devices, guests and a management interface on one network. The administrator needs clearer boundaries without disrupting normal work.

    Local lab Your own tools Evidence guidance
    View project guide
    Track this certification

    Editorial route and career guidance. No separate external evidence review is recorded for this assessment.

    Editorial evidence review: pending · UK market. Vendor facts and prices elsewhere on this page have their own sources and check dates.