Certification Structure
This is not a single-layer MCQ exam. It is a multi-dimensional competency validation system.
Total duration16 Hours
Components4 Domains
Validity3 Years
Built for practitioners. Proven by outcomes.
Where Cyber Defense Meets AI, Cloud, and Strategic Intelligence
Governance integration
Defence starts with the mandate, not the console. Cyber law, privacy obligation and SOC governance open the curriculum, so an analyst can say which framework a detection serves and which regulator will ask about it.
Traditional SOC TrainingMinimal governance
4Frameworks aligned
10%Fundamentals & governance
Part 1Strategic foundations
A detection without a mandate is just an alert nobody owns.
Built for
Who Is This Program For?
GCDSA is for professionals who want to validate SOC and defense operations with a governance-aligned certification.
- 01SOC AnalystsFormalize and advance your detection and response skills.
- 02Security Operations TeamsBuild team-wide competency with a shared certification.
- 03Incident RespondersAdd structure and frameworks to your IR practice.
- 04Threat HuntersValidate hunting and analytics capabilities.
- 05IT Security ProfessionalsTransition into SOC and detection engineering.
- 06Career SwitchersEnter cyber defense with a recognised credential.
At a Glance
Program at a Glance
Where Cyber Defense Meets AI, Cloud, and Strategic Intelligence
The Global Cyber Defense SOC Analyst (GCDSA) program is designed for security professionals who want to build expertise in Security Operations Center (SOC) operations, threat detection, and incident response.
- 16ModulesAcross 5 parts
- 80HoursInstructor-led + labs
- 300+Hands-on labsPractice environments
- 8WeeksLive cohort format
Programme details
- Level
- Intermediate
- Live training
- 8 Hours/Week of Instructor-Led Live Training (First 6 Weeks)
- Learning options
- 2 Weekday Classes (7:00 p.m–9:00 p.m) + 1 Weekend Class (10:00 a.m–2:00 p.m)
- Format
- All Online Interactive Classes
What you’ll experience
- Live Instructor-Led Sessions
- Hands-on Labs
- Real-world Case Studies
- Structured Assessments
- Flexible Schedule
- Industry-Recognised Certificate
Prerequisites
- 01Basic networking concepts
- 02Command-line familiarity
- 03Basic OS knowledge
- 04No prior SOC experience required
No prior specialist background is assumed — the first part builds it.
Curriculum
Program Overview
A structured curriculum that builds practical skill, operational judgement, and certification readiness.
Delivered Over 8 Weeks (80 Hours)
48h of live instruction in weeks 1–6, then 32h of labs, projects and exams in weeks 7–8.
- Parts
- 5
- Modules
- 16
- Chapters
- 64
Learning Outcomes
- 01SIEM & Log Management
- 02Threat Detection & Triage
- 03Incident Response & Containment
- 04AI-Augmented Defense
- 05Executive Reporting
- 06Live SOC Capstone
Part 01
Strategic Foundations of Cyber Defense
- 01
Cyber Defense, Cyber Law & Governance
- SOC fundamentals
- Cyber law & compliance
- Incident response frameworks
- Regulatory alignment
- 02
Threat Landscape & Adversary Tactics
- MITRE ATT&CK framework
- Threat actor profiles
- Kill chain analysis
- Threat intelligence
- 03
Network Security & Traffic Analysis
- Network protocols
- Packet analysis
- IDS/IPS fundamentals
- Network forensics
Enroll in this programme
Hands-on, industry-aligned learning path
- Industry-Driven CurriculumBuilt around real offensive and defensive workflows used by security teams.
- Hands-on LearningPractice in labs designed to mirror production attack and response scenarios.
- Live Instructor LedLearn directly from practitioners through structured live sessions.
- Assessments & ExamsValidate progress through multi-domain exams, labs, and reporting.
- Certification ReadyAligned to competencies employers recognise and hire against.
- Career AcceleratorStrengthen role readiness for analyst, red team, and security engineering paths.
Examination
Assessment & Certification Path
A structured multi-domain assessment designed to validate knowledge, practical skills, and competency across key areas.
- Domains
- 4
- Modules
- 16+
- Validity
- 3 Years
- Format
- MCQ+
Score Weightage
- Knowledge Examination30%
- Technical Practical Lab40%
- Incident Response Report15%
- Capstone Simulation15%
Assessment Components
4 key components to evaluate your overall expertise.
- 4 Hours30%
Knowledge Examination
MCQ + Scenario - 6 Hours40%
Technical Practical Lab
SOC Simulation - 2 Hours15%
Incident Response Report
Written - 4 Hours15%
Capstone Simulation
Live SOC
Blueprint & Competency
Knowledge domains weighted in the exam, and competency layers from tactical skill to executive readiness.
Competency Domains
Tactical Skill
- SIEM proficiency
- Alert analysis
- Tool mastery
Operational Intelligence
- Threat hunting
- IR execution
- Multi-tool coordination
Strategic Awareness
- Threat landscape awareness
- Business context
- Risk prioritization
Executive Readiness
- Incident reporting
- Metrics communication
- Stakeholder management
Knowledge Element & Weightage10 domains
- SOC Fundamentals & Governance10%
- Threat Landscape & TTPs10%
- Network Security & Analysis12%
- SIEM & Log Management15%
- Threat Detection & Triage12%
- Incident Response10%
- AI/ML for Defense10%
- Cloud Security Monitoring8%
- EDR & Endpoint Defense8%
- SOC Metrics & Reporting5%
Earn Your Certification
Successfully clear all components to earn your industry-recognised certification.
Practical Lab
Technical Practical Lab Blueprint
This blueprint defines the hands-on lab environment and allocates time across each domain for real-world mastery.
Total labs300+Hands-on Labs
Total hours10Hours of Lab
Lab completion100%Completion Rate
- Secure Cyber Range
- AI-powered Detection
- SIEM/XDR Hands-on
- AI-powered Simulation
Domain Allocation
Time is distributed across key focus areas
Lab Experience
- Isolated EnvironmentSecure & safe to practice
- Instant AccessNo setup, start in seconds
- Real-time EvaluationTrack your performance
- Certificate ReadyLabs aligned with certification
Learn from Industry Experts
Every module is taught by seasoned practitioners — not career lecturers. You learn the craft from the people who have done the work.
- SOC Operations & Detection Engineering
Krishan Singh
Director — IT Delivery at Kyndryl with 16+ years in SOC operations. Has built and led detection engineering programmes for national CERTs and Fortune 500 SOC operations.
- BBCloud Security & XDR
Bhavesh Bhatia
Strategic Partner Account Manager at Acronis with 13+ years in cloud-native security, EDR/XDR and managed cyber defence for MSPs and enterprise clients.
- AI-Augmented Threat Hunting
Gaurav Duggal
AI & Technology Leader at Jio, applying machine learning to real-world threat detection. Has built AI-augmented SOC capabilities for enterprises across APAC and holds 25+ patents.
- Enterprise Security Strategy
Archie Jackson
Data Security Strategist and AI Security Specialist with 20+ years across cybersecurity, enterprise IT and cloud transformation. CIO100 Hall of Fame and CSO100 honouree.
Numbers that build confidence
Real programme metrics — graduates, placement, salary uplift, and global reach.
Graduates
Placement Rate
₹Avg. Salary
Countries
Our graduates work across
Security FirmsConsulting FirmsEnterprise TechGovernment InstitutionsSecurity FirmsConsulting FirmsEnterprise TechGovernment Institutions
What Our Graduates Say
Real professionals who transformed their careers through hands-on certification.
GCDSA gave me the framework to move from IT to SOC. The live simulation was invaluable.
Rahul K.SOC Analyst
Best certification for defense operations. Aligned with how we run our SOC.
Neha P.Security Manager
The blue-team labs were the closest thing to a real SOC shift I had seen in any course. I hit the ground running on day one.
Meera J.SOC Team Lead
Balancing the DPO and SOC tracks gave me a rare mix of privacy and detection skills my organisation genuinely needed.
Sameer T.Data Protection Officer
Threat detection, triage, incident handling — every module mapped to work I do now. The certification carried real weight in my promotion.
Isha V.Incident Response Analyst
The instructors clearly run SOCs for a living. Their war stories turned abstract playbooks into something I could actually apply.
Deepak R.Threat Detection Engineer
I moved from helpdesk into a monitoring role within months. The hands-on SIEM work made all the difference in interviews.
Pooja N.Security Operations Analyst
What You’ll Earn
Your Certificate
On completion you receive a 80 hours, 8 weeks professional certificate for Global DPO & SOC Investigator (GDSI), issued in academic collaboration with NITTTR Chandigarh.
- 80 Hours professional certification
- Academic collaboration with NITTTR Chandigarh
- Verifiable credential with unique certificate ID
- Globally recognised by employers and partners
Sample certificate shown for illustration. Recipient name, ID and issue date are placeholders.
Exam Deliverable
Sample Report Template
The practical exam for Global DPO & SOC Investigator concludes with a professional SOC Investigation Report — the kind of document you produce and can show an employer.
- Structured like real client-facing security deliverables
- Demonstrates analysis, risk rating and remediation planning
- Evaluated against professional reporting standards
Preview shows a specimen layout only. Section headings follow the exam template — body content in the real exam is yours.
SpecimenSOC Investigation ReportCareers
Career Path After Certification
Graduates move into specialised security roles across enterprise, cloud and critical infrastructure — with compensation that reflects the skill set.
- 01
SOC Analyst
Monitor, triage, and respond to security events.
₹6L–14L - 02
Threat Hunter
Proactively hunt for threats and IOCs.
₹8L–18L - 03
Incident Responder
Lead containment and recovery operations.
₹7L–16L - 04
Detection Engineer
Build and tune detection rules and pipelines.
₹9L–20L - 05
Security Operations Lead
Manage SOC team and metrics.
₹12L–25L
Programme Fee
Investment Options
One programme — the per-seat fee falls as your cohort grows. All rates are per participant.
- Group Discount Available
- USD pricing per seat
- Secure Payments 100% Safe
Programme Fee PER PARTICIPANT
₹48,000/ person
Best for individual goals
Enroll NowEvery plan includes
- Live Instructor-Led Sessions
- Hands-on Labs
- Real-world Case Studies
- Structured Assessments
- Flexible Schedule
- Industry-Recognised Certificate
Payment
Pay from anywhere, learn without borders
Priced in USD and open globally. Our team sets up the payment path that fits you — cards, SWIFT, or formal invoicing for enterprise and government cohorts.
- International CardsVisa, Mastercard, American Express.
- Bank Transfer · SWIFTWire payments in USD and local currency.
- Invoice / POEnterprise & government billing.
Aligned, Assured & Accountable
GCDSA aligns with NIST, MITRE ATT&CK, and industry SOC frameworks.
Framework Alignment4 global standards employers recognise
- NIST CSFCyber risk framework
- MITRE ATT&CKAdversary tactics
- SANS
- SOC maturity models
RecertificationValid 3 years, then renew via any route below
- 40 CPD Credits
- Advanced GCDSA Expert Exam
- Research publication
- Advisory participation
Exam IntegrityControls that make the credential defensible
- Proctored environment
- Time-bound sections
- No external resources
- Audit trail
No prior SOC experience required. Part 1 builds the fundamentals - cyber defence, governance, the threat landscape and network traffic analysis - before the programme moves into detection engineering.
Become a Strategic Cyber Defense Professional
Join the next GCDSA cohort and validate your SOC and defense competencies.
- Industry-recognized Certification
- Learn from Global Security Experts
- Hands-on Labs & Real-world Scenarios
- Career Support & Placement Guidance