Exam Format

• Exam Code: SPLK-5002
• Certification Level: Professional (Advanced)
• Exam Duration: ~75 minutes
• Passing Score: Splunk does not publicly disclose the exact passing score; typically a scaled threshold (e.g., ~700/1000) is used for professional exams.
• Unscored Content: The exam may include unscored research questions that do not affect your score and time is adjusted accordingly (standard Pearson VUE policy).

Exam Details

• Question Types: Multiple choice questions (single- and multiple-select style).
• Number of Questions: ~60 questions.
• Hands-On Questions: The exam focuses on scenario-driven, practical decision-making and engineering tasks rather than live lab simulations.

Exam Policies

• Offline Proctoring: Available at authorized Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide.
• Online Proctoring: Available through Pearson VUE’s online proctoring system (webcam + screen monitoring).
• Rescheduling/Cancellation: Must follow Pearson VUE policies (typically requiring prior notice to avoid fees).
• Retake & Waiting Period: Specific retake and waiting period rules are governed by Pearson VUE and Splunk certification handbook policies.

Certification Validity and Renewal

• Validity: Splunk certifications generally do not expire once earned, though staying current with product changes and updates is recommended.
• Renewal Options: There is no formal renewal exam; professionals typically pursue advanced or related Splunk certifications to maintain and demonstrate updated skills.

Exam Fee

• Base Fee: $130 USD per exam attempt (excluding taxes).
• Taxes: Country-specific VAT/GST may apply during checkout depending on your location.

Prerequisites

• Splunk Certified Cybersecurity Defense Analyst certification (SPLK-5001) as a recommended foundation.
• Power User-level knowledge of Splunk Enterprise and familiarity with Administrator tasks in Splunk Cloud or Enterprise environments.

Exam Topics

The Splunk Certified Cybersecurity Defense Engineer exam evaluates advanced competencies across key engineering and security operations domains:

• Detection Engineering: Create, tune, and optimize detections (e.g., correlation searches), incorporate context and risk modifiers, and manage the detection lifecycle (~40%).
• Building Effective Security Processes: Research and integrate threat intelligence, prioritize risk and detection workflows, and document standard operating procedures (~20%).
• Automation & Efficiency: Develop automation/orchestration (e.g., SOAR playbooks), optimize case management, leverage REST APIs, and validate integrations (~20%).
• Auditing & Reporting: Build and maintain security metrics, analytic dashboards, and program reporting capabilities (~10%).
• Data Engineering Fundamentals: Perform effective data review, indexing, normalization, and analysis (~10%).

Intended Audience

• Security Detection Engineer
• SOC Defense Engineer
• Splunk Enterprise Security & SOAR Specialist
• SIEM/Automation Engineer

Career Impact

• Detection Engineer, SOC Engineer, Security Automation Engineer, SIEM Engineer, Cyber Defense Specialist.

• Varies by region and experience; advanced Splunk security engineers typically command competitive, above-average compensation in cybersecurity and cloud security roles.

• Demonstrates advanced engineering capability for designing, tuning, and automating defense use cases using Splunk technologies — a key differentiator for senior SOC and cybersecurity operations careers.

Exam Mode

• In-person at Pearson VUE test centers
• Online through Pearson VUE’s online proctoring platform

Exam Booking Link

• Book your Splunk Certified Cybersecurity Defense Engineer Exam: Schedule via the Pearson VUE certification portal where Splunk exams are offered.

Once you pass the exam:

• Download your Splunk Certification Badge/Certificate via the digital badge platform (e.g., Credly) as instructed in Splunk’s certification process.

Offers