The Certified Defensive Security Analyst (CDSA) is a practical certification offered by TCM Security that focuses on blue team skills—specifically, detecting, analyzing, and responding to real-world cyber threats. Designed for aspiring SOC (Security Operations Center) analysts, incident responders, and defensive security professionals, the CDSA exam challenges candidates to demonstrate their ability to work through simulated incidents using industry-standard tools and techniques. It’s ideal for individuals who want to prove their capability in monitoring, threat hunting, log analysis, and digital forensics.
Unlike multiple-choice exams that test theoretical knowledge, the CDSA exam is entirely hands-on. Candidates are given access to a virtual environment that simulates a corporate network that has experienced various security incidents. The exam consists of multiple tasks, such as identifying signs of compromise, tracing attack paths, analyzing malicious files or behavior, and providing detailed explanations of what occurred. The exam duration is 24 hours, after which the candidate must submit a professional, written report within another 24 hours, outlining their findings, methodology, indicators of compromise (IOCs), and recommendations.
CDSA Exam Report
The CDSA exam covers a wide range of defensive security topics, including log analysis, Windows Event Viewer, PowerShell command review, network traffic analysis using tools like Wireshark, file system forensics, malware behavior analysis, and use of SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) platforms. Candidates are expected to have a working knowledge of Windows and Linux environments, familiarity with threat actor behavior, and an understanding of how attacks progress through the cyber kill chain.
A key part of the CDSA exam is evidence-based analysis. Rather than guessing, candidates must base their conclusions on solid artifacts such as log entries, network captures, system artifacts, or file hashes. This reflects real-world defensive work, where analysts must justify every assertion with clear proof—especially when responding to incidents or writing post-incident reports for leadership or compliance teams.
CDSA Exam Report
Preparation for the CDSA exam is best done through the official CDSA course offered by TCM Security. This course includes instructional videos, case study walkthroughs, and labs designed to simulate the types of incidents candidates will face during the exam. Key tools covered include Sysinternals Suite, Wireshark, Event Viewer, PowerShell, Sysmon, and open-source forensic tools. Candidates are also encouraged to practice with freely available log datasets, CTI (Cyber Threat Intelligence) platforms, and endpoint detection tools.
The CDSA certification is well-regarded for proving a candidate’s ability to detect and respond to threats in a practical, job-relevant way. It’s especially valuable for individuals seeking roles in SOCs, as it mimics the workflows and tools used by real analysts. Unlike other certifications that focus solely on alert handling or generic theory, CDSA emphasizes investigation, root cause analysis, and comprehensive incident reporting.
CDSA Exam Report
In summary, the CDSA is a strong, practical certification for anyone pursuing a career in defensive cybersecurity. It validates a candidate’s skill in handling real incidents, understanding attacker behavior, and delivering actionable reports—making it a worthwhile credential for blue teamers and incident response professionals alike.
