EC-Council · CASE-Java
Validates the ability to build secure Java applications throughout the software development lifecycle, covering secure requirements gathering, input validation, authentication and authorization, cryptographic practices, error handling, session management, and security testing.
Practice Questions
623
≈ 4 practice exams
Duration
120 minutes
Passing Score
70%
Difficulty
AssociateLast Updated
Sep 2026
The CASE Java blueprint (exam 312-96) spans 10 modules that trace the secure SDLC: understanding application security threats and attacks, security requirements gathering, secure application design and architecture, then five secure-coding modules covering input validation, authentication and authorization, cryptography, session management, and error handling and logging, closing with static and dynamic application security testing (SAST and DAST) and secure deployment and maintenance. EC-Council does not publish percentage weights for these modules, so treat them as roughly equal, though the five secure-coding modules plus testing carry the most concrete code-level content. Our 623-question bank is built to match that split, spreading practice across all 10 modules rather than clustering on theory.
On test day you answer 50 multiple-choice questions in 120 minutes and need 70% to pass, which works out to 35 correct answers. The exam is delivered through EC-Council's proctored network at authorized testing centers or by remote online proctoring, and no unscored pilot questions are publicly disclosed. Expect scenario items that reference named Java and Spring APIs directly (Spring Security's Crypto Module, Spring MVC and Struts2 error handling, Log4j, Java KeyStore), so framework-specific defenses matter more than generic security theory. With 120 minutes for 50 items you get roughly 2.4 minutes per question, enough time to read code snippets carefully before answering.
There is no single mandatory prerequisite, but you must satisfy one of EC-Council's eligibility routes: complete official CASE training through an accredited partner, hold an active ECSP Java membership in good standing, show at least two years of InfoSec or software-development experience, or hold an equivalent credential such as GIAC GSSP-Java. Self-study candidates who skip official training pay a USD $100 non-refundable application fee, and the exam voucher itself runs about USD $450. Once earned, the certification is valid for three years and is maintained under EC-Council's Continuing Education (ECE) program, which requires 120 ECE credits over the cycle plus an annual membership fee. Start with the 30 free questions, then work through the full 623-question bank until your accuracy holds steady across all 10 modules.
The Certified Application Security Engineer (CASE) – Java is an EC-Council credential that validates a professional's ability to build and maintain secure Java applications across every phase of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). Unlike certifications that focus solely on secure coding guidelines, CASE Java extends into secure requirements gathering, robust application design, threat modeling, and post-deployment security — making it a holistic application security qualification. The exam is administered under code 312-96 and tests knowledge of common application-level threats, OWASP-class vulnerabilities, defensive coding in Java frameworks (including Spring, Struts2), and both static and dynamic testing methodologies.
The certification is mapped to the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework, reflecting its alignment with industry-recognized security roles. It covers input validation defenses against SQL Injection and XSS, cryptographic implementation using Java Card and Spring Security, session management vulnerabilities, secure logging with Log4j, and structured exception handling — ensuring certified professionals can address security concerns at every layer of a Java application stack.
CASE Java is designed primarily for Java developers with at least two years of hands-on experience who want to formalize and demonstrate their application security knowledge. It is equally suitable for application security engineers, security analysts, and QA/test engineers who are responsible for reviewing, testing, or securing Java-based web applications.
Professionals seeking to transition from general software development into security-focused roles will find this certification a structured pathway. It is also relevant to DevSecOps practitioners who need to integrate security activities — from threat modeling during design to SAST/DAST during CI/CD — into the development workflow. Organizations that develop or manage Java-based enterprise applications frequently require this level of competency among their engineering teams.
There is no single mandatory prerequisite, but candidates must satisfy one of four eligibility pathways to sit for the exam: complete the official EC-Council CASE training through an accredited partner; hold an active EC-Council Secure Programmer (ECSP) Java membership in good standing; demonstrate a minimum of two years of professional experience in the InfoSec or software development domain (subject to a USD $100 non-refundable application fee); or hold an equivalent industry certification such as the GIAC GSSP-Java. All candidates who did not attend official training must pay the application fee.
From a knowledge standpoint, candidates are expected to be comfortable writing and reading Java code, familiar with common web application vulnerabilities (particularly those in the OWASP Top 10), and have a working understanding of the SDLC. Prior exposure to Java frameworks such as Spring or Struts2 is beneficial, as exam content directly references these environments.
The CASE Java exam (code 312-96) consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 120 minutes. The passing score is 70%, meaning candidates must answer at least 35 questions correctly. The exam is delivered through EC-Council's proctored testing network and can be taken at authorized testing centers or via remote online proctoring. There are no unscored pilot questions publicly disclosed for this exam.
The exam fee is approximately USD $330. Candidates who complete the official EC-Council instructor-led training (24 hours / 3 days) typically receive an exam voucher as part of the course package, which also includes access to EC-Council's iLabs cloud-based lab environment for hands-on practice.
Earning the CASE Java certification positions professionals for roles such as Application Security Engineer, Secure Software Developer, Security Analyst, and DevSecOps Engineer — positions that command salaries ranging from approximately USD $95,000 to $140,000 annually in the United States, depending on seniority and location. The credential is particularly valued in industries with strict compliance requirements (finance, healthcare, government) where secure-by-design software development is mandated.
Compared to broader security certifications like CEH or CompTIA Security+, CASE Java is highly specialized and developer-centric, making it a differentiator for software engineers who want to move into security without abandoning their development focus. It complements cloud-focused credentials (AWS Security Specialty, Google Cloud Security Engineer) by covering the application layer that cloud certifications often leave to developers. The NICE Framework alignment also makes it relevant for U.S. federal contractors and government agencies seeking personnel who meet workforce development standards.
5 sample questions with answers and explanations. The full bank has 623 questions, enough for 4 full-length practice exams.
Preview — answers shown1. A security architect implements Microsoft SDL practices for a payment processing application. The team must understand the core SDL practices. How many core practices does Microsoft SDL define in its framework? (Select one!)
Explanation
Microsoft SDL defines 10 core practices: establish security standards and governance, use proven security features and frameworks, perform threat modeling, define cryptography standards, secure software supply chain, secure engineering environment, perform security testing, ensure operational platform security, implement security monitoring, and provide security training. These practices span the entire software development lifecycle from planning through deployment. Seven practices would be insufficient to cover the comprehensive SDL approach. Twelve and fifteen practices exceed the actual SDL framework structure.
2. A Java application uses KeyStore to manage certificates and private keys. The security team must migrate from the legacy JKS format to a more secure and standardized format that has been the default since Java 9. Which KeyStore type should the application use? (Select one!)
Explanation
PKCS12 is the recommended KeyStore type and has been the default since Java 9. It provides better security, wider interoperability across platforms, and is an industry-standard format. JKS is the legacy Java-specific format with weaker protection mechanisms. JCEKS is an enhanced JKS format but still proprietary to Java and less secure than PKCS12. BCFKS is a BouncyCastle-specific format that requires third-party libraries and is not a standard Java format.
3. A financial application implements RSA encryption for protecting sensitive data. The security team must select the minimum RSA key size that provides adequate security for data that must remain confidential for 10 years. Which key size meets current security standards? (Select one!)
Explanation
RSA key size of 2048 bits represents the current minimum recommended standard for most applications and provides adequate security for the foreseeable future. Industry standards including NIST and OWASP recommend 2048-bit RSA keys as the baseline for new deployments. Using 1024-bit RSA keys is cryptographically insecure and can be factored with sufficient computational resources, making it unacceptable for protecting sensitive data. Key size of 3072 bits provides higher security margins suitable for extremely sensitive data or longer protection periods but exceeds minimum requirements. Key size of 4096 bits offers maximum security but comes with significant performance penalties and is typically reserved for certificate authorities or extremely high-value targets.
4. A Java application encrypts sensitive data using AES. The security team must select an appropriate block cipher mode. Which mode provides authenticated encryption with associated data (AEAD) and is recommended by security standards? (Select one!)
Explanation
AES/GCM/NoPadding provides authenticated encryption with associated data (AEAD), combining confidentiality and integrity in a single operation. GCM mode includes a built-in authentication tag that detects tampering, eliminating the need for separate HMAC operations. ECB mode reveals patterns in plaintext and should never be used. CBC mode provides confidentiality but not authentication, and is vulnerable to padding oracle attacks. CTR mode provides confidentiality and parallel processing but does not include authentication, requiring separate integrity protection.
5. An enterprise application implements authentication using JAAS (Java Authentication and Authorization Service). During the authentication flow, which LoginModule method is called when authentication succeeds but before the authenticated Subject is updated with Principals? (Select one!)
Explanation
The LoginModule lifecycle follows a two-phase commit protocol. The login() method performs authentication and stores Principals temporarily but does not update the Subject. After all LoginModules in the configuration succeed, the commit() method is called to actually add the Principals to the Subject. This two-phase approach ensures atomicity - if any LoginModule fails, abort() is called instead of commit() and no Principals are added. The initialize() method is called first during setup before authentication begins. The logout() method removes Principals when the user logs out, which is unrelated to the authentication success flow.
50 multiple-choice questions, with a 120-minute time limit. That gives you about 2.4 minutes per question.
70%, which means 35 of the 50 questions correct. EC-Council applies a flat 70% threshold rather than a scaled score for this exam.
The exam voucher runs about USD $450. Self-study candidates who do not attend official training also pay a USD $100 non-refundable application fee to establish eligibility.
You must meet one of four routes: complete official CASE training, hold an active ECSP Java membership, show at least two years of InfoSec or software-development experience, or hold an equivalent credential such as GIAC GSSP-Java.
10 modules across the secure SDLC: application security threats, security requirements, secure design, and secure coding for input validation, authentication and authorization, cryptography, session management, and error handling, plus SAST and DAST testing and secure deployment.
Questions call out Spring and Struts2 by name, including Spring Security's Crypto Module, Spring MVC and Struts2 error handling, Log4j logging, and the Java KeyStore. Framework-specific knowledge is tested, not just generic secure-coding principles.
Three years. To renew, you earn 120 EC-Council Continuing Education (ECE) credits over the cycle and pay the annual membership fee to stay in good standing.
No. CASE Java (312-96) tests secure coding in Java and JEE with Spring and Struts2, while CASE .NET is a separate exam covering the .NET stack. The modules mirror each other, but the code, APIs, and question content are language-specific.
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