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Courses  /  EC-Council  /  EC-Council - Certified Network Defender (CND)
EC-Council DoD 8140 / 8570College credit

EC-Council - Certified Network Defender (CND)

Learn about hackers and cyber defense strategies required in today's critical infrastructure. EC-Council has reviewed the entire CND space as designated by the Department of Defense as IAT I, II, III and IAM I, II, III as well as…

Five days, instructor-led In class or live online Class Hub + 90 days Military funding accepted DoD 8570: IAT I, IAT II, IAM I +1 Up to 3 college credits

Course overview

thinQtank® Learning is offering a unique five-day training camp comprised of five days of instructor-led learning for Certified Network Defender. As with all our thinQtank® Training Experiences - exams are delivered in the classroom.

Learn about hackers and cyber defense strategies required in today's critical infrastructure. EC-Council has reviewed the entire CND space as designated by the Department of Defense as IAT I, II, III and IAM I, II, III as well as the NICE Framework KSA's as they relate to cyber defense and day-to-day cyber operations. With each of these considered, they built their exam blueprint, overall training scope, and got to work building the next certification we believe will be a game changer for cyber security professionals - Certified Network Defender.

The class is a professional level introduction to the cyber defense strategies needed in today's critical infrastructure. Certified Network Defender v2 has been designed by industry experts to help IT Professionals play an active role in the Protection of digital business assets and Detection and Response to Cyber Threats, while leveraging Threat Intelligence to Predict them before they happen. CND is a network security course designed to help organizations create and deploy the most comprehensive network defense system.

Your certification path

Where this course sits: what to have first, and where it leads.

Before You should be well-versed in cyber security fundamentals.
This courseEC-Council - Certified Network Defender (CND)

Course objectives

What you will be able to do by the end of the class.

Network security management
Network security policies and procedures
Windows and Linux security administration
Mobile and IoT device security
Data security techniques
Virtualization technology security
Cloud and wireless security
Risk assessment tools
Basics of first response and forensics
Indicators of Compromise, Attack, and Exposures (IoC, IoA, IoE)
Threat intelligence capabilities
Log management
Endpoint security
Firewall solutions
IDS/IPS technologies
Network Authentication, Authorization, Accounting (AAA)

Who it is for

Who gets the most from this class, and what to know before you start.

Who should attend

  • System administrators
  • System engineers
  • Firewall administrators
  • Network managers
  • IT managers
  • IT professionals
  • Anyone interested in network security technologies
  • Managers who want to understand cyber security core principles and practices
  • Operations personnel, who although do not have security as their primary job function, will need an understanding of cyber security core principles and practices

Prerequisites

  • You should be well-versed in cyber security fundamentals.

Course features

How the class is taught, and why it works.

Live, instructor-ledEvery session is taught live by a certified instructor, in the classroom and online at the same time.
Hands-on labs40% of class time is hands-on lab work, not slides.
Exam preparation built inPractice questions and focused review, with the exam delivered in the classroom.
Class Hub for 90 daysRecordings, materials and practice stay open for the class plus 90 days after it ends.
Attend your waySterling, VA, Atlanta, GA, Burbank, CA, or live online from anywhere.
Funding friendlyMilitary flat rate, thinQflex monthly payments, or a formal quote for your employer.

What you get

Everything below is included in the course price.

Class Hub access for the length of the class plus 90 days
thinQtank® Learning Accelerated Custom Exam Study Guide for the CISSP exam
Exam delivery in classroom with 98% success
Course specific thinQtank® Learning publications to promote fun exciting learning
Extended hours of training including immersive hands-on exercises
WE DO NOT TEACH THE TEST. We always deliver valuable hands-on experience
Receive all reading material and study guides when you register
All courses taught by certified expert engineers

Format: Five days of instructor-led learning · 60% lecture, 40% hands-on labs/demonstrations · Instructor-Led Training, Immersive Live-Online Training, On-Site and Custom Delivery

Study plan

How the five days run, plus what to do before and after class.

Before class
  • Check the prerequisites above and fill any gaps
  • We send joining details and course materials before day one
Day 1
  • Network security management
  • Network security policies and procedures
  • Windows and Linux security administration
  • Mobile and IoT device security
Day 2
  • Data security techniques
  • Virtualization technology security
  • Cloud and wireless security
  • Risk assessment tools
Day 3
  • Basics of first response and forensics
  • Indicators of Compromise, Attack, and Exposures (IoC, IoA, IoE)
  • Threat intelligence capabilities
  • Log management
Day 4
  • Endpoint security
  • Firewall solutions
  • IDS/IPS technologies
  • Network Authentication, Authorization, Accounting (AAA)
Day 5
  • Final review and exam
After class
  • Class Hub stays open 90 days: recordings, labs and practice
  • Missed a passing score? Review your weak domains and rebook

The order of topics can shift with the class; your instructor confirms the schedule on day one.

The certification exam

The exam this class prepares you for.

  • 312-38 - Certified Network Defender (CND v2.0)

DoD 8140 and college credit

What this certification counts for with the Department of Defense, and toward a degree.

DoD 8140 / 8570 CND qualifies for 4 of the 14 DoD workforce categories.
Information Assurance Technical, Level I IAT Level I
0–2 years typicalGS-5 to GS-7
Help desk technician · Desktop / client support · IT specialist (customer support) · Junior network technician
Typically performs (DCWF): 411 Technical Support Specialist
Information Assurance Technical, Level II IAT Level II
2–5 years typicalGS-9 to GS-11
System administrator · Network administrator · Junior security analyst · ISSO on a small system
Typically performs (DCWF): 451 System Administrator; 441 Network Operations Specialist; 521 Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist
Information Assurance Management, Level I IAM Level I
2–4 years typicalGS-9 to GS-11
ISSO on a single system · Security coordinator · Assistant ISSM · Compliance support
Typically performs (DCWF): 722 Information Systems Security Manager (Basic); 612 Security Control Assessor (Basic)
Cybersecurity Service Provider Infrastructure Support CSSP Infrastructure Support
3–6 years typicalGS-11 to GS-12
Sensor / tool administrator · IDS-IPS engineer · SIEM engineer · Defensive infrastructure support
Typically performs (DCWF): 521 Cyber Defense Infrastructure Support Specialist

DoD 8570 was replaced by DoD 8140 work roles (contractors since February 2026), but job postings still use these categories. DoD publishes no crosswalk between the two; the work roles shown are what this population typically performs, not an official mapping. Experience figures are typical, not requirements.

College credit Pass the exam and these universities will count it toward a degree. This is what each school publishes about its own transfer policy; the registrar makes the final call.
3credits UMGC
3creditsACE recommendationaccepted by 1,500+ schools

Most schools only count IT certifications earned in the last five years, and several will not award transfer credit once you have enrolled. Get your evaluation done first.

Upcoming dates

Every class runs in the classroom and live online at the same time. Pick the dates; choose how you attend when you register.

DatesLocationFormat
Nov 9 – 13, 2026 Sterling, VA Classroom + live online Reserve
Dec 14 – 18, 2026 Santa Clarita, CA Classroom + live online Reserve
Jan 11 – 15, 2027 Sterling, VA Classroom + live online Reserve
Feb 8 – 12, 2027 Santa Clarita, CA Classroom + live online Reserve
Mar 8 – 12, 2027 Sterling, VA Classroom + live online Reserve
Apr 5 – 9, 2027 Santa Clarita, CA Classroom + live online Reserve
May 10 – 14, 2027 Sterling, VA Classroom + live online Reserve
Jun 14 – 18, 2027 Santa Clarita, CA Classroom + live online Reserve
Jul 5 – 9, 2027 Sterling, VA Classroom + live online Reserve
Aug 9 – 13, 2027 Santa Clarita, CA Classroom + live online Reserve
Sep 13 – 17, 2027 Sterling, VA Classroom + live online Reserve
Oct 4 – 8, 2027 Santa Clarita, CA Classroom + live online Reserve

2 more dates through December 2027. Ask about a later date.

Paying for it

The price above is our standard rate. These options can bring it down or spread it out.

Military & veterans
$1,500

Flat rate per class when you use Air Force COOL, Army Credentialing Assistance, MyCAA or VET TEC 2.0. Your program confirms eligibility.

Funding details
thinQflex™
Name your price

Paying yourself? Tell us what you can pay and over how many months, up to twelve. We say yes, or come back with terms.

Make an offer
Employer or agency
Formal quote

A formal quote with the course and exam voucher as separate lines, valid 30 days. Group and government pricing available.

Request a quote

How to enroll

Four steps from here to certified.

  1. Pick your datesChoose a class from the dates above, in a classroom or live online.
  2. Reserve or get a quoteReserve your seat, ask for a quote for your employer, or make a thinQflex offer.
  3. Get readyWe confirm your seat and send joining details and materials before day one.
  4. Attend and certifyTake the class, with Class Hub open for 90 days after.

Frequently asked questions

What does it cost?
The standard price is $4,950; exam voucher priced separately. Military students using AF COOL, Army CA, MyCAA or VET TEC 2.0 pay $1,500, and thinQflex lets you name your own price and monthly payment.
How long is the class?
Five days of live, instructor-led training, about 40% of it hands-on labs.
Can I attend live online?
Yes. Every class runs live online at the same time as the classroom, with the same instructor and labs.
How long do I keep access to the materials?
Your Class Hub stays open for the length of the class plus 90 days.
Is the exam included?
The exam voucher is priced separately; we can add it to your registration or quote.
Can I use military funding?
Yes. With Air Force COOL, Army CA, MyCAA or VET TEC 2.0 you pay a flat $1,500 per class.
Can my employer pay?
Yes. Request a quote and we will send a formal one, valid for 30 days.
What if I cannot pay all at once?
Use thinQflex to name your price and spread payments over up to twelve months.
Where are the classrooms?
Sterling, Virginia; Atlanta, Georgia; and Burbank, California. Every class also runs live online, so you can join from anywhere.
What do I need to attend online?
A computer with a reliable internet connection, a headset or speakers, and a microphone. A webcam is recommended.
Will I get a certificate of completion?
Yes. You receive a thinQtank Learning certificate of completion when you finish the class.
Which course should I take next?
Most students go on to EC-Council Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO), EC-Council CHFI, EC-Council Cloud Security Essentials (CSE). Tell us your goal and we will map the path with you.
Do you run private classes for teams?
Yes. We deliver private classes on-site or online for teams and agencies, on your dates. Ask for a quote.
Can you help me choose the right course?
Yes. Call 855-868-4467 or email sasmith@thinqtanklearning.com and we will recommend the right starting point.

Ready to earn your - Certified Network Defender (CND)?

Next class Nov 9 – 13, 2026 · Sterling, VA and live online.