EC-Council · CND
Certified Network Defender (CND) Practice Tests
Validates the ability to protect, detect, and respond to network security threats, covering network perimeter protection, endpoint security, firewall and IDS/VPN configuration, network traffic analysis, vulnerability scanning, and incident response.
Exam Details
Practice Questions
562
≈ 4 practice exams
Duration
240 minutes
Passing Score
70%
Difficulty
AssociateLast Updated
Feb 2026
Certified Network Defender (CND) Practice Exam Preparation
Use this CND practice exam to prepare for Certified Network Defender (CND) with realistic questions, detailed explanations, and focused study modes. The practice bank includes 562 questions for EC-Council CND, so you can review the exam steadily instead of relying on one long cram session.
As you practice, pay extra attention to patterns in your missed answers. Start with short sessions to identify weak areas, then move into timed quizzes once your accuracy is consistent.
The explanations are especially useful when you want to connect exam wording to the responsibilities and scenarios described in the official certification guidance. Use the free preview first, then unlock the full question bank when you are ready to build a complete study routine.
Exam Overview
The EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND) is a vendor-neutral, skills-based certification that validates a professional's ability to protect, detect, respond to, and predict network security threats. Exam code 312-38, the certification covers a broad range of network defense disciplines including network perimeter protection, endpoint security across Windows, Linux, mobile, and IoT platforms, firewall and IDS/VPN configuration, network traffic and log analysis, vulnerability scanning, and incident response. The program was updated with a v4 exam blueprint effective April 10, 2024, which introduced new topic segmentation and refreshed domain content while maintaining the same exam format and eligibility criteria.
Built on the cybersecurity education framework established by the National Initiative of Cybersecurity Education (NICE) and mapped to Department of Defense (DoD) work roles for system and network administrators, CND emphasizes real-world, job-task-aligned competencies. The certification spans 20 knowledge domains that collectively address the full lifecycle of enterprise network defense — from administrative governance and compliance to cloud security, wireless security, threat intelligence, and business continuity. It holds accreditation from ANSI, GCHQ, and is approved under the DoD 8570/8140 directive.
Who Should Take This Exam
CND is designed primarily for network and security professionals who are responsible for the day-to-day protection of enterprise network infrastructure. Core target roles include Network Administrators, Security Administrators, Network Security Engineers, Security Analysts, and Network Defense Technicians. The certification is also relevant to IT professionals transitioning into security-focused roles who already have a foundational understanding of networking.
The program is particularly well-suited for individuals working in environments requiring regulatory compliance or DoD-aligned security frameworks. Those seeking to formalize their hands-on network defense skills with a recognized credential, or professionals aiming to qualify for cybersecurity roles within U.S. government contractors and defense agencies, will find the CND especially applicable.
Prerequisites
EC-Council does not impose formal academic prerequisites for the CND exam, but candidates must meet one of two eligibility paths. The first is to complete an official EC-Council-authorized CND training course, after which candidates may sit for the exam without further application. The second path allows candidates to attempt the exam without attending official training, provided they can demonstrate at least two years of work experience in the information security domain. Self-study candidates must submit an eligibility application form along with a non-refundable $100 USD processing fee.
In terms of recommended knowledge, candidates should have a solid understanding of TCP/IP networking fundamentals, familiarity with common network devices and protocols, and basic exposure to operating system administration (Windows and Linux). Prior experience with network monitoring tools, firewall configuration, or security operations will provide a meaningful advantage when preparing for the exam.
Exam Format
The CND certification exam (312-38) consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 4 hours (240 minutes). The exam is delivered through the EC-Council ECC Exam Portal and is available at authorized testing centers as well as via online proctoring. The passing score is set at 70%, though EC-Council notes that cut scores can range from 60% to 85% depending on the specific exam form administered, as each form is independently calibrated by subject matter experts to ensure consistent difficulty across versions.
The exam uses multiple exam forms with varied question banks to maintain exam integrity. There are no unscored pilot questions disclosed. Candidates who do not pass may retake the exam immediately for the second attempt using an ECC Exam Center voucher; a 14-day waiting period is enforced starting from the third attempt onward. The current exam is aligned to the CND v4 blueprint, which became effective on April 10, 2024.
Skills Measured
- 1.Network Attacks and Defense Strategies: Covers the taxonomy of network attacks, attacker methodologies, and foundational principles of a defend-protect-detect-respond security approach.
- 2.Administrative Network Security: Covers regulatory compliance frameworks, security policy design and development, IT asset management, and security awareness training programs.
- 3.Technical Network Security: Covers access control principles, models, and terminologies, including redefining access control in distributed and hybrid network environments.
- 4.Network Perimeter Security: Covers configuration and management of firewalls, DMZs, routers, and other perimeter security appliances to control traffic entering and leaving the network.
- 5.Endpoint Security – Windows Systems: Covers hardening and securing Windows-based endpoints, including patch management, host-based firewall configuration, and system monitoring.
- 6.Endpoint Security – Linux Systems: Covers securing Linux environments, including privilege management, service hardening, and Linux-specific defensive configurations.
- 7.Endpoint Security – Mobile Devices: Covers mobile device management (MDM), BYOD policies, and securing Android and iOS devices within enterprise networks.
- 8.Endpoint Security – IoT Devices: Covers the unique security challenges of IoT device deployment, network segmentation for IoT, and mitigation of IoT-based attack vectors.
- 9.Administrative Application Security: Covers secure application deployment practices and administrative controls for managing application-layer security risks.
- 10.Data Security: Covers data classification, encryption, data loss prevention (DLP) strategies, and securing data at rest and in transit.
- 11.Enterprise Virtual Network Security: Covers securing virtualized infrastructure including hypervisor security, virtual switches, and software-defined networking (SDN) environments.
- 12.Enterprise Cloud Security: Covers cloud security models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), shared responsibility frameworks, and securing cloud-based network resources.
- 13.Enterprise Wireless Network Security: Covers wireless protocols, rogue access point detection, WPA3 configurations, and enterprise Wi-Fi security best practices.
- 14.Network Traffic Monitoring and Analysis: Covers packet capture, protocol analysis, signature-based and anomaly-based detection, and tools such as Wireshark for identifying malicious traffic.
- 15.Network Logs Monitoring and Analysis: Covers SIEM integration, log collection and correlation, and identifying indicators of compromise (IoCs) through log analysis.
- 16.Incident Response and Forensics Investigation: Covers the incident response lifecycle, containment and eradication procedures, evidence collection, and basic network forensics.
- 17.Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: Covers BCP/DR planning, backup strategies, RTO/RPO objectives, and maintaining network availability during and after disruptions.
- 18.Risk Anticipation with Risk Management: Covers risk identification, assessment methodologies, risk treatment strategies, and integrating risk management into network security operations.
- 19.Threat Assessment with Attack Surface Analysis: Covers vulnerability scanning, attack surface mapping, penetration testing concepts, and prioritizing remediation of identified weaknesses.
- 20.Threat Prediction with Cyber Threat Intelligence: Covers threat intelligence types (tactical, operational, strategic), IoCs, Indicators of Attack (IoAs), threat hunting methodologies, and consuming intelligence feeds for proactive defense.
Study Tips
- Download and study the official CND v4 Exam Blueprint (available at cert.eccouncil.org) to understand the exact domain structure and ensure your preparation aligns with the April 2024 update — do not rely solely on v3 materials.
- Use the EC-Council CodeRed platform or authorized iClass training for hands-on labs, as the CND program is explicitly lab-intensive; passive reading alone is insufficient for mastering the practical skills tested.
- Focus dedicated time on the traffic analysis and log monitoring domains using free tools like Wireshark and Splunk's free tier, as these topics require tool-level familiarity that cannot be gained through theory alone.
- Map your study plan across all 20 domains systematically rather than focusing only on familiar topics — the 100-question format draws from all domains, and gaps in areas like IoT security or cloud network security can cost passing marks.
- Practice with EC-Council's official CND Assessment tool (eccouncil.org/train-certify/cnd-assessment/) to familiarize yourself with question style and identify weak areas before the exam.
- Review NIST SP 800-series publications relevant to network security (e.g., SP 800-41 for firewalls, SP 800-94 for IDS/IPS), as CND content is aligned to industry-standard frameworks and these documents reinforce the administrative and technical security domains.
- For the threat intelligence and incident response domains, study the MITRE ATT&CK framework alongside CND courseware — understanding attacker TTPs will help contextualize both the threat assessment and prediction modules.
Career Benefits
The CND certification qualifies holders for network defense and security operations roles in both private industry and government sectors. Common job titles pursued after earning CND include Network Security Engineer, Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst, Network Administrator (security-focused), and Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO). The certification satisfies DoD 8570.01-M/DoD 8140 requirements for IAT Level II roles, making it directly applicable for personnel seeking positions with U.S. federal agencies or defense contractors. The average salary for a network security engineer in the United States is approximately $125,000 per year.
Compared to alternatives such as CompTIA Security+ (broader but less network-defense-specific) or the Cisco CyberOps Associate (more SOC-focused), CND occupies a distinct niche in hands-on, defender-oriented network security. It complements offensive certifications like CEH and is often pursued alongside or as a precursor to more advanced credentials such as CISSP or CCNP Security. The certification's ANSI accreditation and GCHQ endorsement give it international recognition beyond the U.S. market.
Sample Questions
5 sample questions with answers and explanations. The full bank has 562 questions, enough for 4 full-length practice exams.
Preview — answers shown1. A security architect designs network segmentation for a financial application with web servers in a DMZ, application servers in an internal zone, and database servers in a data tier. Following defense-in-depth and least privilege principles, which firewall rule set provides the most secure configuration? (Select one!)
AAllow Internet -> DMZ (443), DMZ -> Application (8443), Application -> Database (5432), deny all other traffic
BAllow Internet -> DMZ (443), DMZ <-> Application (8443), Application <-> Database (5432), DMZ -> Internet (any)
CAllow Internet -> DMZ (443), DMZ -> Application (8443), Application -> Database (5432), Database -> Application (ephemeral 32768-65535)
DAllow Internet -> any tier (443,8443,5432), DMZ -> Application (any), Application -> Database (any)
Explanation
Defense-in-depth requires unidirectional traffic flow with explicit least privilege access. This configuration allows Internet users to access only the DMZ web servers on HTTPS port 443, prevents direct access to internal tiers, permits only necessary communication between adjacent tiers on specific ports, and explicitly denies all other traffic by default. This implements multiple security layers where each tier can only initiate connections to the next tier for required services. Allowing database servers to initiate return connections violates unidirectional flow principles and could allow compromised database servers to attack application servers. Bidirectional rules using double arrows and permitting DMZ Internet access create unnecessary attack surface and potential data exfiltration paths. Allowing direct Internet access to internal application and database tiers completely bypasses the DMZ protection layer and violates network segmentation principles. Any-to-any rules within network segments provide no access control and allow lateral movement after initial compromise.
2. A Windows domain administrator investigates unusual account activity after receiving alerts from the security monitoring system. The investigation focuses on determining if an attacker performed a Pass-the-Hash attack to authenticate using stolen NTLM credentials without cracking the password. Which Windows Security Event ID specifically indicates NTLM authentication attempts that could reveal Pass-the-Hash activity? (Select one!)
A4672 - Special privileges assigned to new logon
B4776 - The computer attempted to validate the credentials for an account
C4624 - An account was successfully logged on
D4768 - A Kerberos authentication ticket was requested
Explanation
Event ID 4776 is generated on the authenticating server when NTLM authentication is attempted and specifically logs the workstation name and authentication package used. This event is critical for detecting Pass-the-Hash attacks which rely on NTLM authentication. Event ID 4624 shows successful logons but does not distinguish between Kerberos and NTLM authentication methods. Event ID 4768 indicates Kerberos ticket requests, but Pass-the-Hash attacks bypass Kerberos and use NTLM directly. Event ID 4672 shows privilege assignment but does not reveal the authentication protocol used.
3. A compliance officer ensures GDPR compliance for an EU-based organization processing customer personal data. The organization discovers a data breach affecting 10000 customers' personal information. What is the maximum timeframe for notifying the supervisory authority? (Select one!)
A72 hours after becoming aware of the breach
B7 days after becoming aware of the breach
C24 hours after becoming aware of the breach
D48 hours after becoming aware of the breach
Explanation
GDPR Article 33 requires organizations to notify the supervisory authority within 72 hours of becoming aware of a personal data breach, unless unlikely to result in risk to individuals' rights and freedoms. Affected individuals must be notified without undue delay if the breach poses high risk. The 72-hour timeframe is mandatory, with documentation required if delays occur explaining reasons. HIPAA requires 60 days for individual notification. The tight GDPR timeframe necessitates incident response plans with clear breach identification, assessment, and notification procedures. Non-compliance incurs penalties up to 20 million euros or 4 percent global annual turnover, whichever is higher, emphasizing the importance of rapid breach response capabilities.
4. A security analyst investigates Kerberos authentication logs to detect potential Kerberoasting attacks. The analyst needs to identify when attackers request service tickets for accounts with Service Principal Names to perform offline password cracking. Which Windows Security Event ID indicates a Kerberos service ticket was requested? (Select one!)
A4768 - Kerberos Authentication Ticket (TGT) was requested
B4771 - Kerberos pre-authentication failed
C4776 - The domain controller attempted to validate credentials
D4769 - Kerberos Service Ticket was requested
Explanation
Event ID 4769 logs when a Kerberos service ticket is requested from the Ticket Granting Server. Kerberoasting attacks generate numerous 4769 events as attackers request service tickets for SPN-enabled accounts to crack offline. Event ID 4768 logs initial TGT requests during user authentication. Event ID 4771 indicates failed Kerberos pre-authentication, often from bad passwords. Event ID 4776 relates to NTLM authentication attempts, not Kerberos.
5. An incident responder uses Volatility Framework to analyze a memory dump from a compromised Windows 10 workstation. The analyst needs to identify malicious processes that may be hidden by rootkit techniques and reconstruct their parent-child relationships. Which two Volatility plugins should the analyst execute to detect process hiding and visualize process hierarchy? (Select two!)
Multiple correct answersApslist - Lists processes using doubly-linked list traversal
Bpstree - Displays parent-child process relationships in tree format
Cnetscan - Enumerates network connections and listening sockets
Dcmdscan - Extracts command history from memory structures
Epsscan - Scans for EPOOL process structures to find hidden processes
Explanation
pstree visualizes parent-child process relationships showing process hierarchy and detecting suspicious process trees indicative of malware spawning mechanisms. psscan performs pool tag scanning to find EPOOL process structures that rootkits hide from normal enumeration, detecting hidden processes that pslist misses. pslist only traverses the standard doubly-linked list which rootkits manipulate to hide processes. netscan identifies network connections but doesn't address process hiding. cmdscan extracts command history, useful for investigation but not for detecting hidden processes or visualizing hierarchy.
More EC-Council Practice Exams
Certified EC-Council Instructor (CEI)
CEI · 611 questions
Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
CHFI · 589 questions
Certified Cloud Security Engineer (CCSE)
CCSE · 624 questions
Certified Cybersecurity Technician (CCT)
CCT · 630 questions
Certified DevSecOps Engineer (ECDE)
ECDE · 609 questions
Digital Forensics Essentials (DFE)
DFE · 626 questions
$17.99
One-time access to this exam
562 questions (4 practice exams' worth)
Unlimited timed exam simulations
Yours forever — no subscription
Detailed explanations
Free preview stays available