You can see it againUnder pressure people bring back shapes and positions long after the wording has gone.
Picture superiority · Shepard 1967, Standing 1973
SPLUNKSplunk Certified Cybersecurity Defense Architect
The Splunk Certified Cybersecurity Defense Architect certification validates your ability to architect and scale enterprise-grade security defenses. Designed for seasoned professionals, it demonstrates expertise in advanced security data management, automation, and risk-aligned strategies. Earn this credential to distinguish yourself as a strategic leader who can mature an organization's security posture and align complex security capabilities with business goals.
Exam formatMultiple choice
Duration75 minutes
DeliveryPearson VUE
Free questions979
Content last reviewed 30 July 2026 · Up to date
The certification
What Splunk Certified Cybersecurity Defense Architect proves, and what it asks of you
What this certification covers, who it is written for, and what the exam itself looks like on the day.
8domains
39objectives
226concepts
$130 USDexam fee
What it is
What this certification is
What it validates, who it is written for, and the experience it assumes.
About this certification
The Splunk Certified Cybersecurity Defense Architect certification establishes an expert-level standard for professionals who design, build, and scale advanced security operations. It validates your strategic ability to architect data-driven defense systems and align complex security capabilities with organizational risk and business goals. This certification is for those who move beyond operational execution to high-level design, planning the orchestration of security workflows across complex environments.
By earning this credential, you demonstrate that you can plan and build scalable security defense controls, design data-driven architectures, and measure risk and efficacy with cybersecurity governance frameworks. The certification confirms your expertise in integrating advanced automation and developing data-driven strategies to protect enterprise-scale environments. It is a mark of distinction for cybersecurity professionals ready to take their careers to the expert level.
Who it’s for
This certification is for seasoned cybersecurity professionals who design, build, and scale advanced security operations. It is ideal for strategic leaders who want to validate their expert-level security proficiency and distinguish themselves as capable of designing and maturing enterprise-grade defense architectures. It also suits security architects transitioning from operational execution to high-level design, as well as cybersecurity professionals aiming to validate their expertise in architecting scalable defenses, managing governance, and optimizing security program effectiveness.
Recommended experience
Splunk recommends that candidates have expert-level experience in security operations, including designing and scaling defense systems, and familiarity with Splunk Enterprise Security, Splunk SOAR, and Splunk Enterprise. Experience designing and building advanced security operations; Knowledge of data-driven security architectures; Familiarity with automation and orchestration in security workflows; Understanding of cybersecurity governance frameworks and risk alignment
The syllabus
What you’ll learn
Every domain and objective Splunk measures, with the weight they carry on the exam.
The official Splunk exam outline · checked 30 July 2026 · See the source
Advanced Threat Intelligence and Analysis
- Develop and implement customized threat intelligence strategies, including both open source and commercial intelligence providers.
- Integrate threat intelligence, including all aspects of the lifecycle (evaluation, curation, maintenance, sources, confidence scoring, etc.), into broader security operations.
- Integrate intelligence-informed advanced adversary emulation and threat modeling.
Security Data Management
- Explain how to develop and implement integration strategies for data-driven security operations.
- Identify data sources critical to cybersecurity operations, such as event sources, identity directories, asset management systems, and vulnerability - assessments. This can include non-security data sources, eg. observability tools.
- Identify high value / high signal / high noise data sources (e.g. Windows process vs EDR process flow, or network/VPC flow vs packet capture) and how they support security operations use cases.
- Identify strategies to monitor an environment that requires nonstandard or out-of-band instrumentation and sensors, e.g. legacy data sources, OT/IC infrastructure environments.
- Develop a data lifecycle management strategy, including retention, storage tiering, summarization, data residency, and access control.
- Describe the value of data normalization in order to support integration into cybersecurity defense programs, such as security monitoring and threat hunting, e.g. with CIM, CEF.
- Implement security analytics strategies beyond traditional SIEM such as advanced techniques like data science, machine learning, behavioral analysis, and AI.
- Explain how cybersecurity defense data architectures scale using technologies and capabilities such as data mesh, data lakes, message bus, message routing, and federated search.
Advanced Incident Response and Management
- Align cybersecurity incident response with an organizations incident management, change management, and other ITSM/ITIL processes.
- Develop a process to manage, coordinate, and communicate responses to large-scale security incidents.
- Ensure appropriate technologies and processes are in place to support various forensics investigations.
Advanced Automation and Orchestration
- Understand how an organizations technical architectures, e.g. network design, enable or constrain security orchestration.
- Develop complex/cross platform automation to orchestrate workflows for cybersecurity operations such as investigation, detection, and incident response.
- Describe the benefits of an autonomous SOC, and strategies, processes, and technologies to develop one.
- Leverage AI/ML for automated threat detection and response.
Scaling Cybersecurity Defenses and DevSecOps
- Develop scalable strategies for agile and DevOps-driven cybersecurity defenses, such as detection as code.
- Describe how to integrate security sensors and controls into DevOps workflows.
- Describe how to create and leverage a SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) in cybersecurity defenses.
- Describe continuous integration & deployment strategies for security data management and engineering solutions.
- Describe how to develop and implement patterns, architecture blueprints, and paved roads to enable cybersecurity defenses to scale.
- Understand how application and infrastructure architectures support cybersecurity defenses.
Governance, Risk, and Compliance
- Explain how governmental directives and regulations guidance publications like NIST CSF help influence the design of defense capabilities.
- Explain how regulations like GDPR affect cyber defense architecture in relation to data privacy impact on logging, data sovereignty, and data residency.
- Explain how industry standard security frameworks (PCI, HIPAA, OT/IC, others) affect cyber defense architecture.
- Define how security controls contribute to business operating cost and offsetting risk.
- Explain how security technologies and controls fit into the organizations Governance, Risk, and Compliance program and overall risk management.
Measuring and Improving Security Program Effectiveness
- Explain how to define, measure, and report on metrics to assess and monitor a security programs effectiveness.
- Explain how a businesss risk tolerance informs a security programs metrics.
- Explain how Continuous Process Improvement can enrich and expand a metrics driven security programs efficacy.
- Explain how security controls are continually tested and gaps are remediated.
Security Capability Selection, Placement, Configuration
- Identify organizational coverage for prevention, detection, response and recovery capabilities.
- Determine how coverage gaps can be mitigated by architecture changes, config changes, or process changes.
- Affect organizational and company priorities and budgets based on key capabilities required for security that are aligned to security and business goals.
- Explain methodologies used to select security technologies aligned to business need, organizational technology landscape, and security controls.
- Define technology implementation strategies to provide desired capabilities.
- Ensure that resilient solutions aligned to the business and operational requirements are selected and deployed.
On the day
The exam itself
Everything Splunk publishes about sitting it, and nothing we inferred.
Prerequisites
No mandatory prerequisites — this certification has no required predecessor exam or credential.
CertificationSplunk Certified Cybersecurity Defense Architect
Exam formatMultiple choice
Duration75 minutes
DeliveryPearson VUE
LanguagesEnglish
Pricing$130 USD
After you pass
Where this credential goes next
The path Splunk lays out, how the credential is kept, and where to book.
Step-by-step path to Splunk Certified Cybersecurity Defense Architect
Credential earnedSplunk Certified Cybersecurity Defense Architect Certification Renewal and maintenance
Splunk certifications must be renewed every three years. You can renew by pursuing additional certifications, completing continuing education courses, or re-taking the certification exam. Stay current with the latest technologies and maintain your certification.
Learn more about renewal requirements Lifecycle status
This certification is currently active and available. Splunk maintains this certification to validate current skills and industry relevance.
Exam status: ActiveMaintained by Splunk
Exam registration
Register for the exam through Pearson VUE, Splunk’s authorized testing partner.
Schedule your examVisit the official Splunk certification page for exam policies and requirements.
View the official pageYour coach
And when you are serious, your coach Pip takes over
Your coach in the app reads what you have answered with the book closed and tells you one thing to do tonight. It will not count an answer you gave with the page open, and it will tell you when you are not ready.
See how the coach worksBefore you book
Questions people ask
How does the Splunk Cybersecurity Defense Architect exam relate to the Splunk Certified Cybersecurity Defense Analyst and Engineer certifications?
The Architect certification is a higher-level credential that builds on the skills validated by the Analyst and Engineer certifications. While there are no mandatory prerequisites, the Architect exam assumes expert-level knowledge and experience in security operations, including the design and scaling of defense systems.
Is there a hands-on or lab component in the Splunk Cybersecurity Defense Architect exam?
The exam format is multiple choice. There is no hands-on or lab component mentioned in the official exam details.
What is the retake policy for the Splunk Cybersecurity Defense Architect exam?
Splunk's retake policy is not explicitly detailed on the exam page. Candidates should refer to the Splunk Certification Candidate Handbook for the most current retake and waiting period policies.
What job roles does the Splunk Certified Cybersecurity Defense Architect credential map to?
This credential is designed for security architects, strategic leaders, and cybersecurity professionals who design, build, and scale advanced security operations. It validates the ability to architect data-driven defense systems and align security capabilities with organizational risk and business goals.
Can I recertify by passing a different Splunk exam?
Yes. Splunk's recertification policy allows you to renew your certification by pursuing additional certifications, completing continuing education courses, or re-taking the certification exam every three years.
Are there any regional restrictions for taking the Splunk Cybersecurity Defense Architect exam?
The exam is delivered by Pearson VUE, which offers testing options online and onsite. Regional availability may vary; candidates should check with Pearson VUE for availability in their location.
Information freshness · Content last reviewed on 2026-07-30 Up to date
Practice free questions 979 questions, free, no account needed.
The curriculum
The whole exam, mapped and written
Every domain, every objective, and every concept Splunk measures — each one written out.
8domains
39objectives
226concepts
206free pages
The domains, and what sits inside them
Every objective below is a page you can open and practise now, without an account.
The official Splunk exam outline · checked 30 July 2026 · See the source
1Advanced Threat Intelligence and Analysis77 questions
Develop and implement customized threat intelligence strategies, including both open source and commercial intelligence providers.6 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Integrate threat intelligence, including all aspects of the lifecycle (evaluation, curation, maintenance, sources, confidence scoring, etc.), into broader security operations.9 concepts · 7 pagesOpen →Integrate intelligence-informed advanced adversary emulation and threat modeling.5 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →
2Security Data Management199 questions
Explain how to develop and implement integration strategies for data-driven security operations.7 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Identify data sources critical to cybersecurity operations, such as event sources, identity directories, asset management systems, and vulnerability - assessments. This can include non-security data sources, eg. observability tools.6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Identify high value / high signal / high noise data sources (e.g. Windows process vs EDR process flow, or network/VPC flow vs packet capture) and how they support security operations use cases.6 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Identify strategies to monitor an environment that requires nonstandard or out-of-band instrumentation and sensors, e.g. legacy data sources, OT/IC infrastructure environments.5 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Develop a data lifecycle management strategy, including retention, storage tiering, summarization, data residency, and access control.6 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →Describe the value of data normalization in order to support integration into cybersecurity defense programs, such as security monitoring and threat hunting, e.g. with CIM, CEF.8 concepts · 7 pagesOpen →Implement security analytics strategies beyond traditional SIEM such as advanced techniques like data science, machine learning, behavioral analysis, and AI.5 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Explain how cybersecurity defense data architectures scale using technologies and capabilities such as data mesh, data lakes, message bus, message routing, and federated search.5 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →
3Advanced Incident Response and Management78 questions
Align cybersecurity incident response with an organizations incident management, change management, and other ITSM/ITIL processes.6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Develop a process to manage, coordinate, and communicate responses to large-scale security incidents.6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Ensure appropriate technologies and processes are in place to support various forensics investigations.5 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →
4Advanced Automation and Orchestration108 questions
Understand how an organizations technical architectures, e.g. network design, enable or constrain security orchestration.5 concepts · 3 pagesOpen →Develop complex/cross platform automation to orchestrate workflows for cybersecurity operations such as investigation, detection, and incident response.9 concepts · 7 pagesOpen →Describe the benefits of an autonomous SOC, and strategies, processes, and technologies to develop one.6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Leverage AI/ML for automated threat detection and response.6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →
5Scaling Cybersecurity Defenses and DevSecOps151 questions
Develop scalable strategies for agile and DevOps-driven cybersecurity defenses, such as detection as code.8 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Describe how to integrate security sensors and controls into DevOps workflows.4 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Describe how to create and leverage a SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) in cybersecurity defenses.8 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Describe continuous integration & deployment strategies for security data management and engineering solutions.7 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Describe how to develop and implement patterns, architecture blueprints, and paved roads to enable cybersecurity defenses to scale.6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Understand how application and infrastructure architectures support cybersecurity defenses.5 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →
6Governance, Risk, and Compliance123 questions
Explain how governmental directives and regulations guidance publications like NIST CSF help influence the design of defense capabilities.6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Explain how regulations like GDPR affect cyber defense architecture in relation to data privacy impact on logging, data sovereignty, and data residency.5 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Explain how industry standard security frameworks (PCI, HIPAA, OT/IC, others) affect cyber defense architecture.6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Define how security controls contribute to business operating cost and offsetting risk.5 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Explain how security technologies and controls fit into the organizations Governance, Risk, and Compliance program and overall risk management.7 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →
7Measuring and Improving Security Program Effectiveness105 questions
Explain how to define, measure, and report on metrics to assess and monitor a security programs effectiveness.5 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Explain how a businesss risk tolerance informs a security programs metrics.6 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Explain how Continuous Process Improvement can enrich and expand a metrics driven security programs efficacy.5 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Explain how security controls are continually tested and gaps are remediated.6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →
8Security Capability Selection, Placement, Configuration138 questions
Identify organizational coverage for prevention, detection, response and recovery capabilities.5 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Determine how coverage gaps can be mitigated by architecture changes, config changes, or process changes.6 concepts · 6 pagesOpen →Affect organizational and company priorities and budgets based on key capabilities required for security that are aligned to security and business goals.5 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →Explain methodologies used to select security technologies aligned to business need, organizational technology landscape, and security controls.4 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Define technology implementation strategies to provide desired capabilities.1 concepts · 4 pagesOpen →Ensure that resilient solutions aligned to the business and operational requirements are selected and deployed.5 concepts · 5 pagesOpen →
Not a table of contents
Every line on this map already opens
In front of every objective the practice pages are already there, free and without an account. This is one objective, opened.
Develop and implement customized threat intelligence strategies, including both open source and commercial intelligence providers.5 pagesOpen →
Free in front of it
25 questions on this objective, five to a page. Every range above is a real page, open now, with no account.
Reading the map is not the same as knowing the ground
The curriculum tells you what is on the exam. Proving you know it is a different job — and it is the one the closed-book run does.
Free questions
979 questions. No account, no card.
The whole bank is open. 5 questions to a page, every answer explained, and a discussion thread on each one.
979questions
206pages
39objectives
Freealways
Start anywhereDevelop and implement customized threat intelligence strategies, including both open source and commercial intelligence providers. 25 questions · 5 pages
Browse by domain
Every objective, and every page range, is a link — so you can pick up exactly where you left off.
1Advanced Threat Intelligence and Analysis77 questions
2Security Data Management199 questions
3Advanced Incident Response and Management78 questions
4Advanced Automation and Orchestration108 questions
5Scaling Cybersecurity Defenses and DevSecOps151 questions
6Governance, Risk, and Compliance123 questions
7Measuring and Improving Security Program Effectiveness105 questions
8Security Capability Selection, Placement, Configuration138 questions
What a practice page gives you
1Five to a page
Short enough to finish, long enough to matter.
2Every answer explained
Not only which one is right — why the others are wrong.
3A discussion on each
Ask, answer, and vote. Every question has its own thread.
A question, and the idea behind it
Every question comes from a concept
These are not trivia. Each one is written against a concept in the book, so when you get one wrong there is somewhere to go and find out why.
The visual book
See it once. Carry it into the exam.
The pages shown here come from our AI-900 book — an example of how each concept is written in plain language and, where the idea needs one, drawn as a full page you can take in at a glance.
226concepts
979free questions
Why a picture, and not another paragraph
Three reasons, and each one is a real finding rather than a slogan.
You can see it againThe whole idea at onceWhere it starts, what happens in the middle, what comes out, and the mistake to avoid.
Multimedia principle · MayerThe look-alikes sit togetherThe pairs the exam tests are drawn side by side, so the difference is seen, not told.
Dual coding · PaivioWhat one page is made of
You are never asked to read a poster here — only to see how one is built. After that, every other page is legible at a glance.
1A numbered strip on top
The idea as a sequence, followed with a finger before a word is read.
2Panels for the parts
What it is, how the machine learns it, when it is the right tool.
3The trap, framed
The distinction the exam tests, given its own box instead of buried in prose.
4One line at the bottom
The sentence to carry into the exam room.
Open book, on purpose
Answer it with the picture beside you
This is the part that teaches. The illustration and the written explanation stay where they are while you work, so a scenario stops being a memory test and becomes something you can simply look at.
It teaches · it does not count
A smartphone uses AI to unlock when the owner looks at the camera. Which AI capability is being used?
AImage classification
BFacial recognition
COptical character recognition
DObject detection
Look at the five steps. Detect finds a face, align straightens it, encode turns it into numbers, search compares it with a stored face, and decide answers one question: is this the same person? Classification would only say “a face”. Detection would only draw a box. Neither decides whose.
Then the page shuts, and it starts counting
The same questions come back with the book closed — that run is the one that counts. After it, your coach picks one thing for tonight, sized to the time you have, and brings pages back before you lose them.
Testing effect · Roediger & Karpicke 2006 · spacing effect · Cepeda et al. 2006
Official resources
Straight from Splunk
Where the exam is defined, scheduled and scored.
3official links
226concepts mapped
The source
Splunk’s own pages
We link to them rather than repeat them, so nothing here goes stale behind them.
Checked against the source
Every objective on the official Splunk outline already has questions here
We build from the official skills outline, not from a summary of it — 39 objectives, 226 concepts written under them, and free questions against every one. When Splunk changes the outline, this page changes with it.
39objectives on the outline→226concepts written→979free questions
An official page tells you what will be asked. It cannot tell you what you will get right.
That is the only question worth answering the night before, and no link answers it. You answer it by taking the questions with the book closed, and seeing what comes back.