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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Cisco
Exam Format
90 min
60-70
825
Associate
Registration
$300 USD
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
English
Validity
3 years
Pass current CCNA Cyber Ops exams before expiration; Pass any Associate-level exam; Pass any Professional-level or Expert-level exam
210-250 Exam Topics and Domains
210-250 is organized into 6 weighted domains. Expect to work with Cisco FirePOWER, Active Directory, Cisco ASA, Wireshark, and more.
1
Network Concepts
12%
Network Layers and Models
OSI Model (7 Layers)TCP/IP Model (4 Layers)Protocol Encapsulation and De-encapsulation
- Describe the TCP/IP protocol suite
- Describe the OSI model
- Compare and contrast the TCP/IP and OSI models
- Describe protocol encapsulation and de-encapsulation
Ethernet and IP Protocols
Ethernet Frame StructureIPv4 Addressing and HeaderIPv6 FundamentalsSubnetting and CIDR Notation
- Describe Ethernet frame structure and addressing
- Describe IPv4 and IPv6 addressing architecture
- Describe subnetting and CIDR notation
- Compare IPv4 and IPv6 protocols
Transport Layer Protocols
TCP Operation and Three-Way HandshakeUDP CharacteristicsICMP Functions and Types
- Describe TCP operation and the three-way handshake
- Describe UDP characteristics and use cases
- Describe ICMP functions and message types
- Compare connection-oriented and connectionless protocols
Network Infrastructure
Routers, Switches, and FirewallsWireless LAN FundamentalsDNS and DHCP Services
- Describe network infrastructure devices and their functions
- Describe wireless LAN fundamentals
- Describe DNS and DHCP services
- Understand network segmentation and security zones
2
Security Concepts
17%
Security Principles
CIA Triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability)Defense-in-Depth StrategyLeast Privilege Principle
- Describe the CIA triad
- Describe defense-in-depth strategy
- Describe the principle of least privilege
- Apply security principles to real-world scenarios
Risk Management
Risk Assessment MethodologiesThreat ModelingVulnerability Management
- Describe risk assessment methodologies
- Describe threat modeling concepts
- Describe vulnerability management processes
- Apply risk management to security scenarios
Access Control
Authentication MethodsAuthorization ModelsIdentity Management Systems
- Describe authentication methods and factors
- Describe authorization models (RBAC, MAC, DAC)
- Describe identity management systems
- Apply access control concepts to scenarios
Security Policies and Compliance
Security Policy ComponentsCompliance and Regulatory RequirementsIncident Response Procedures
- Describe security policy components
- Describe compliance and regulatory requirements
- Describe incident response procedures
- Apply security policies to organizational scenarios
3
Cryptography
12%
Cryptographic Concepts
Symmetric vs. Asymmetric EncryptionKey Management PrinciplesCryptographic Algorithms
- Describe symmetric and asymmetric encryption
- Describe key management principles
- Describe common cryptographic algorithms (AES, RSA, DH)
- Compare cryptographic methods
Hashing and Digital Signatures
Hash FunctionsDigital SignaturesMessage Authentication Codes (MAC)
- Describe hash functions (MD5, SHA-1, SHA-256)
- Describe digital signatures and non-repudiation
- Describe message authentication codes (MAC)
- Apply hashing and signatures to integrity scenarios
PKI Infrastructure
Digital CertificatesCertificate AuthoritiesCertificate Lifecycle Management
- Describe digital certificates and their components
- Describe certificate authorities and PKI hierarchy
- Describe certificate lifecycle management
- Apply PKI concepts to secure communications
Applied Cryptography
SSL/TLS ProtocolsVPN TechnologiesEmail Encryption
- Describe SSL/TLS protocols and handshake
- Describe VPN technologies (IPsec, SSL VPN)
- Describe email encryption (PGP, S/MIME)
- Apply cryptography to secure communications
4
Host-Based Analysis
19%
Windows Analysis
Windows Security FeaturesRegistry AnalysisEvent Log Locations and TypesCommon Windows Processes
- Describe Windows security features
- Analyze Windows registry for security indicators
- Locate and analyze Windows event logs
- Identify common Windows processes and anomalies
Linux Analysis
Linux File System StructureLinux Security FeaturesLog File Locations (/var/log)Common Linux Processes and Services
- Describe Linux file system structure
- Describe Linux security features
- Locate and analyze Linux log files in /var/log
- Identify common Linux processes and services
Endpoint Security
Antivirus and Anti-MalwareHost-Based FirewallsHost Intrusion Prevention Systems (HIPS)Application Whitelisting
- Describe antivirus and anti-malware technologies
- Describe host-based firewalls
- Describe host intrusion prevention systems (HIPS)
- Describe application whitelisting
Malware Analysis
Malware Types and CharacteristicsStatic vs. Dynamic AnalysisSandboxing ConceptsIndicators of Compromise (IoCs)
- Describe malware types and characteristics
- Describe static and dynamic malware analysis
- Describe sandboxing concepts
- Identify and extract indicators of compromise (IoCs)
5
Security Monitoring
19%
Data Sources
Network Traffic CapturesSystem Logs and EventsApplication LogsSecurity Device Logs
- Describe network traffic capture sources
- Describe system logs and event sources
- Describe application log sources
- Describe security device log sources
Monitoring Tools
SIEM SystemsNetwork Protocol AnalyzersIDS/IPS SystemsNetFlow Analysis
- Describe SIEM systems and their components
- Describe network protocol analyzers (Wireshark)
- Describe IDS/IPS systems
- Describe NetFlow analysis
Event Analysis
Log Correlation TechniquesBaseline EstablishmentAnomaly DetectionAlert Triage and Prioritization
- Describe log correlation techniques
- Describe baseline establishment
- Describe anomaly detection methods
- Describe alert triage and prioritization
Incident Detection
Attack Patterns and SignaturesFalse Positive ReductionThreat Intelligence IntegrationSecurity Metrics and KPIs
- Describe attack patterns and signatures
- Describe false positive reduction techniques
- Describe threat intelligence integration
- Describe security metrics and KPIs
6
Attack Methods
21%
Network Attacks
DoS and DDoS AttacksMan-in-the-Middle AttacksSpoofing AttacksSession Hijacking
- Describe DoS and DDoS attacks
- Describe man-in-the-middle attacks
- Describe spoofing attacks (IP, ARP, DNS)
- Describe session hijacking attacks
Web Application Attacks
SQL InjectionCross-Site Scripting (XSS)Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)Buffer Overflows
- Describe SQL injection attacks
- Describe cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks
- Describe cross-site request forgery (CSRF) attacks
- Describe buffer overflow attacks
Social Engineering
Phishing and Spear PhishingPretexting and BaitingPhysical Security BreachesInsider Threats
- Describe phishing and spear phishing attacks
- Describe pretexting and baiting techniques
- Describe physical security breaches
- Describe insider threats
Advanced Threats
Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)Zero-Day ExploitsRootkits and BootkitsCommand and Control (C2) Communications
- Describe Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs)
- Describe zero-day exploits
- Describe rootkits and bootkits
- Describe command and control (C2) communications
How do I earn this certification?
Passing 210-250 earns the CCNA Cyber Ops certification. It sits in the Cybersecurity Operations track.
Current Level Exams
Next Level Options
- 300-215 - Conducting Forensic Analysis and Incident Response Using Cisco Technologies for CyberOps (CBRFIR)Advanced incident response and forensics
- 350-201 - Performing CyberOps Using Cisco Security Technologies (CBRCOR)Core exam for CyberOps Professional certification
- 300-710 - Securing Networks with Cisco Firepower (SNCF)Cisco FirePOWER security platform specialization
Alternative Paths
- 200-301 - CCNAFoundational networking certification, broadens infrastructure knowledge
- 350-401 - ENCOR (Implementing Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies)Core networking knowledge that complements security operations
- 200-201 - Understanding Cisco CyberOps Associate (CBROPS)Replacement exam combining both SECFND and SECOPS content
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for 210-250 is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2020-01-15
- Announcement date: 2016-05-01
Updates
- Windows Event Logging Windows Server 2019/2022 Event log analysis remains core skill; newer Windows versions use same Event Viewer structure • Release date: 2021-08-18
- Linux Security Ubuntu 22.04 LTS / RHEL 9 Core Linux concepts (file permissions, logs, processes) unchanged; /var/log structure consistent • Release date: 2022-04-21
- TLS Protocol TLS 1.3 Exam covers TLS fundamentals; TLS 1.3 improvements build on same concepts (handshake, cipher suites) • Release date: 2018-08-10
- Cisco FirePOWER Cisco Secure Firewall (formerly FirePOWER) Product rebranding; core IPS/IDS concepts and alert analysis remain relevant • Release date: 2021-10-05
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Aspiring SOC analysts and security operations professionals and IT professionals transitioning to cybersecurity.
- Basic understanding of networking fundamentals
- Familiarity with Windows and Linux operating systems
- Understanding of TCP/IP protocols
- 6-12 months of experience in IT or networking