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Exam Information
Official specifications published by EC-Council
Exam Format
180 min
100
70%
Entry-Level
Registration
$250 USD
EC-Council Exam Portal, Pearson VUE, or online proctoring
English
Candidates must wait 14 days before retaking the exam
Validity
3 years
Complete continuing education credits (CEUs); Retake the current version of the exam; Pass a higher-level EC-Council certification
ECSS Exam Topics and Domains
ECSS is organized into 3 weighted domains. Expect to work with tcpdump, Wireshark, NetworkMiner, Active Directory, and more.
1
Network Defense Essentials
36%
Network Security Fundamentals
Fundamentals of network securityNetwork security protocols
- Understand fundamentals of network security
- Master network security protocols that govern the flow of data
Identification, Authentication, and Authorization
Access control principlesIdentity and Access Management (IAM)
- Master access control principles, terminologies, and models
- Implement identity and access management (IAM)
Network Security Controls: Administrative Controls
Regulatory frameworks, laws, and actsSecurity policies and awareness training
- Understand regulatory frameworks, laws, and acts
- Develop security policies and conduct security awareness training
Network Security Controls: Physical Controls
Physical security controlsEnvironmental controls
- Understand importance of physical security and physical security controls
- Implement physical security policies and procedures
- Apply best practices to strengthen workplace security
- Configure environmental controls
Network Security Controls: Technical Controls
Bastion hosts and network defenseIDS/IPS and defensive technologiesHoneypots and VPNsSecurity Incident and Event Management (SIEM)
- Configure types of bastion hosts and their role in network security
- Deploy IDS/IPS types and their role in network defense
- Implement types of honeypots and virtual private networks (VPNs)
- Configure Security incident and event management (SIEM)
Virtualization and Cloud Computing
Virtualization securityCloud computing security
- Master key concepts of virtualization and OS virtualization security
- Understand cloud computing fundamentals and cloud deployment models
- Implement cloud security best practices
Wireless Network Security
Wireless encryption and authenticationWireless security implementation
- Master fundamentals of wireless networks and encryption mechanisms
- Configure wireless network authentication methods
- Implement wireless network security measures
Mobile Device Security
Mobile device managementEnterprise mobile security
- Understand mobile device connection methods and management
- Identify mobile use approaches in enterprises
- Assess security risks and guidelines associated with enterprise mobile usage policies
- Implement various enterprise-level mobile security management solutions
- Apply best practices on mobile platforms
IoT Device Security
IoT fundamentals and communicationIoT security implementation
- Understand IoT devices, application areas, and communication models
- Implement how security works in IoT-enabled environments
Cryptography and PKI
Cryptographic fundamentalsPublic Key Infrastructure
- Master cryptographic tools, security techniques, and algorithms
- Implement Public key infrastructure (PKI) to authenticate users and devices in the digital world
Data Security
Data protection and encryptionBackup and DLP
- Understand data security and its importance
- Configure security controls for data encryption
- Perform data backup and retention
- Implement data loss prevention concepts
Network Traffic Monitoring
Traffic analysis fundamentalsSuspicious traffic detection
- Master network traffic monitoring concepts
- Identify traffic signatures for normal and suspicious network traffic
- Perform network monitoring to detect suspicious traffic
Information Security Fundamentals
Information security principlesInformation security laws and regulations
- Understand information security fundamentals
- Master information security laws and regulations
2
Ethical Hacking Essentials
33%
Ethical Hacking Fundamentals
Cyber Kill Chain methodologyHacking concepts and ethics
- Master Cyber Kill Chain methodology
- Understand hacking concepts, hacking cycle, and different hacker classes
- Apply ethical hacking concepts, scope, and limitations
Information Security Threats and Vulnerability Assessment
Threat identificationMalware types and analysis
- Detect various threat sources and vulnerabilities in a network or system
- Identify different types of malwares
Password Cracking Techniques and Countermeasures
Password attack methods
Master types of password cracking techniques
Social Engineering Techniques and Countermeasures
Social engineering attacksInsider threats and identity theft
- Understand social engineering concepts and techniques
- Identify insider threats and identity theft concepts
Network-Level Attacks and Countermeasures
Packet sniffing and analysisDoS and DDoS attacks
- Master packet sniffing concepts and types
- Apply sniffing techniques and countermeasures
- Understand DoS and DDoS attacks
Web Application Attacks and Countermeasures
Web server attacksWeb application attacksSQL Injection
- Identify Web Server Attacks
- Understand Web Application Attacks
- Master Web Application Architecture and Vulnerability Stack
- Execute SQL Injection Attacks
- Classify Types of SQL Injection Attacks
Wireless Attacks and Countermeasures
Wireless attack techniquesBluetooth attacks
- Understand Wireless Terminology
- Master Types of Wireless Encryption
- Execute Wireless Network-specific Attack Techniques
- Perform Bluetooth Attacks
- Implement Wireless Attack Countermeasures
Mobile Attacks and Countermeasures
Mobile attack anatomyPlatform vulnerabilities
- Understand Mobile Attack Anatomy
- Identify Mobile Attack Vectors and Mobile Platform Vulnerabilities
IoT and OT Attacks and Countermeasures
IoT AttacksOT Attacks
- Understand IoT Devices, their need and Application Areas
- Identify IoT Threats and Attacks
- Master OT Concepts
- Assess OT Challenges and Attacks
- Implement OT Attacks Countermeasures
Cloud Computing Threats and Countermeasures
Cloud security threatsContainer security
- Master Cloud Computing Concepts
- Understand Container Technology
- Identify Cloud Computing Threats
- Implement Cloud Computing Countermeasures
Penetration Testing Fundamentals
Penetration testing methodologyPenetration testing phases
- Master Fundamentals of Penetration Testing and its Benefits
- Understand Various Types and Phases of Penetration Testing
- Apply Guidelines and Recommendations for Penetration Testing
3
Digital Forensics Essentials
31%
Computer Forensics Fundamentals
Digital evidence fundamentalsForensic readiness and investigation roles
- Master fundamentals of computer forensics and digital evidence
- Understand objectives of forensic readiness to reduce the cost of investigation
- Define roles and responsibilities of a forensic investigator
- Ensure legal compliance in computer forensics
Computer Forensics Investigation Process
Investigation process and phasesForensic investigation phases
- Master forensic investigation process and its importance
- Execute forensic investigation phases
Understanding Hard Disks and File Systems
Disk drives and characteristicsOperating system boot processesFile system analysis
- Identify types of disk drives and their characteristics
- Understand booting process of Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems
- Examine file system records during an investigation
Data Acquisition and Duplication
Data acquisition methodologiesData acquisition formats
- Master data acquisition fundamentals, methodologies, and their different types
- Determine the data acquisition format
Defeating Anti-forensics Techniques
Anti-forensics methods and countermeasures
Identify anti-forensics techniques and their countermeasures
Windows Forensics
Volatile and non-volatile data collectionWindows artifacts analysis
- Gather volatile and non-volatile information
- Perform Windows memory and registry analysis
- Analyze the cache, cookie, and history recorded in web browsers
- Examine Windows files and metadata
Linux and Mac Forensics
Linux forensicsMac forensics
- Identify volatile and non-volatile data in Linux
- Analyze filesystem images using the sleuth kit
- Demonstrate memory forensics
- Master Mac forensics concepts
Network Forensics
Network forensics fundamentalsEvent correlation and IoC identification
- Master network forensics fundamentals
- Understand event correlation concepts and types
- Identify indicators of compromise (IoCs) from network logs
- Investigate network traffic for suspicious activity
Investigating Web Attacks
Web server log analysisWeb attack investigation
- Master web application forensics and web attacks
- Understand IIS and Apache web server logs
- Detect and investigate various attacks on web applications
Dark Web Forensics
Dark web investigationTor browser forensics
- Understand dark web forensics investigation and how it works
- Perform Tor browser forensics
Investigating Email Crimes
Email forensics fundamentalsEmail crime investigation
- Master email basics and how it can be used as evidence
- Apply techniques and steps used in email crime investigation
Malware Forensics
Malware analysis fundamentalsStatic and dynamic analysis
- Understand malware, its components, and distribution methods
- Master malware forensics fundamentals and types of malware analysis
- Perform static malware analysis and dynamic malware analysis
- Conduct system and network behavior analysis
How do I earn this certification?
Passing ECSS earns the EC-Council Certified Security Specialist certification. It sits in the Cybersecurity Fundamentals track.
Next Level Options
- CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker
- CND - Certified Network Defender
- CHFI - Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator
- ECSA - EC-Council Certified Security Analyst
Alternative Paths
- CCT - Certified Cybersecurity TechnicianAlternative entry-level certification
- ECES - EC-Council Certified Encryption Specialist Specialized encryption focus
- EDRP - EC-Council Disaster Recovery Professional Disaster recovery specialization
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
Use the official PlanetCert Practice Test alongside the study plan below to prepare efficiently for ECSS.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2023-04-01
- Announcement date: 2023-01-15
Updates
- Cloud Security Enhanced in v10 New sections on cloud deployment models and security controls • Release date: 2023-04-01
- Zero Trust Architecture Added in v10 New content on zero trust principles and implementation • Release date: 2023-04-01
- IoT/OT Security Expanded in v10 More comprehensive coverage of IoT and OT attack vectors • Release date: 2023-04-01
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by High school students starting cybersecurity career and College/University students.
- Basic understanding of computer operating systems (Windows, Linux, Unix)
- Fundamental networking knowledge including OSI model and IP addressing
- Awareness of cybersecurity principles
- No prior cybersecurity experience strictly required