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Exam Information
Official specifications published by EC-Council
Exam Format
180 min
100
70%
Associate
Registration
$450 USD
EC-Council Exam Center, Remote Proctoring, or online proctoring
14-day waiting period after failure
Validity
3 years
Pass current version of exam; Earn 120 ECE credits over 3 years; Pass any higher-level EC-Council certification
312-39 Exam Topics and Domains
312-39 is organized into 6 weighted domains. Expect to work with 24x7 monitoring, Alert triaging, AlienVault, AlienVault OSSIM, and more.
1
Security Operations and Management
20%
SOC Fundamentals
SOC Types and ModelsSOC Roles and Responsibilities
- Understand different SOC deployment models and their advantages
- Define roles and responsibilities of SOC team members
- Explain SOC processes and procedures
SOC Technologies and Tools
Security Monitoring Tools
- Identify key SOC technologies and their functions
- Understand tool integration in SOC workflow
2
Understanding Cyber Threats, IoCs, and Attack Methodology
15%
Threat Landscape and Attack Vectors
Attack Types and MethodologiesCyber Kill Chain
- Identify attacker tools, tactics, and procedures (TTPs)
- Understand the cyber kill chain framework
- Recognize indicators of compromise (IoCs)
Indicators of Compromise (IoCs)
IoC Types and Detection
- Identify and validate IoCs
- Correlate IoCs across multiple sources
- Create IoC detection rules
3
Incidents, Events, and Logging
18%
Log Management Fundamentals
Log Types and SourcesCentralized Log Management (CLM)
- Understand centralized log management process
- Configure log collection and monitoring
- Analyze security events and logs
Event Correlation and Analysis
Event Correlation Techniques
- Create correlation rules
- Identify event patterns
- Reduce false positives through correlation
4
Incident Detection with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
25%
SIEM Architecture and Deployment
SIEM Components and ArchitectureSIEM Implementation and Tuning
- Understand SIEM architecture and components
- Implement and configure SIEM solutions
- Fine-tune SIEM for optimal performance
SIEM Use Case Development
Use Case Creation ProcessCommon SIEM Use Cases
- Develop SIEM use cases and correlation rules
- Implement detection rules for various threat scenarios
- Create dashboards and reports
SIEM Operations and Management
SIEM Administration
- Administer SIEM solutions effectively
- Monitor SIEM health and performance
- Manage SIEM data lifecycle
5
Enhanced Incident Detection with Threat Intelligence
12%
Threat Intelligence Fundamentals
Threat Intelligence Types and SourcesThreat Intelligence Integration
- Integrate threat intelligence into SIEM
- Use threat intelligence for enhanced detection
- Leverage diverse threat intelligence sources
Threat Hunting
Proactive Threat Detection
- Perform threat hunting exercises
- Identify emerging threat patterns
- Document hunting findings
6
Incident Response
10%
Incident Response Process
Incident Response PhasesAlert Triaging and Escalation
- Execute incident response procedures
- Perform alert triaging effectively
- Escalate incidents appropriately
Incident Documentation and Reporting
Incident Reporting
- Create detailed incident reports
- Present findings to stakeholders
- Track SOC metrics and KPIs
How do I earn this certification?
Passing 312-39 earns the Certified SOC Analyst (C|SA) certification. It sits in the Security Operations track.
Current Level Exams
Next Level Options
- 312-49 - Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
- 312-50 - Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- 312-76 - Certified Disaster Recovery Professional
- EC-Council CSCU - Certified Secure Computer User
Alternative Paths
- 312-85 - CTIA - Certified Threat Intelligence AnalystComplementary threat analysis skills
- 312-49 - CHFI - Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator Incident investigation depth
- 312-38 - CND - Certified Network DefenderNetwork security focus
- 312-40 - CCISO - Certified Chief Information Security OfficerLeadership and governance path
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 312-39 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: 2023-01-01
Updates
- Extended Detection and Response (XDR) Latest New content on XDR platforms added to curriculum • Release date: 2024-06-01
- Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR) Current platforms SOAR playbook development included in exam topics • Release date: 2024-03-01
- Zero Trust Architecture NIST 800-207 Zero Trust principles in SOC operations • Release date: 2024-01-01
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Tier I and Tier II SOC Analysts and Network and Security Administrators.
- Basic understanding of networking concepts
- Familiarity with security fundamentals
- Knowledge of operating systems (Windows/Linux)
- Understanding of TCP/IP protocols
- Basic scripting knowledge helpful