DoD-Approved Certifications

One of the three main objectives of the PC4A Project is increasing the rate at which students earn certifications. We're reaching this goal by providing certification prep workshops, and free exams!

The DoD has approved the following certifications for a number of available career paths. Click or tap each provider for detailed information on the approved certifications and expected savings for students who are enrolled in a targeted program at a PC4A community college (or download the flyer). This list of approved certifications is provided by DoD Cyber Exchange.

Cybersec First Responder (CFR)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$350.00

A comprehensive, in-demand certification designed to validate the knowledge and skills required to protect these critical information systems before, during, and after an incident.

Approved for:

CSSP Analyst, Auditor, Incredent Responder, & Infrastructure Support

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$300.00

Designed for agility and versatility, CCNA validates that you have the skills required to manage and optimize today's most advanced networks.

Approved for:

CSSP Analyst & Incident Responder

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$300.00

When you earn your CCNP Security certification, you prove that you can step into the cybersecurity environment and protect the networks and data that clients rely on.

Approved for:

IAT Level III

CompTIA A+

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$253.00

This certification is the industry standard for establishing a career in IT. Performance testing proves pros can think on their feed to perform critical IT support tasks.

Approved for:

IAT Level I

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$509.00

An advanced-level cybersecurity certification for security architects and senior security engineers charged with leading and improving an enterprise's cybersecurity readiness.

Approved for:

IAT Level III, IAM Level II, IASAE I & II,

CompTIA Cloud+

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$369.00

CompTIA Cloud+ shows you have the expertise needed to deploy and automate secure cloud environments and protect mission-critical applications and data.

Approved for:

IAM Level I, CSSP Analyst & Infrastructure Support

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$404.00

An IT workforce certification that applies behavioral analytics to networks and devices to prevent, detect and combat cybersecurity threats through continuous security monitoring.

Approved for:

IAT Level II, CSSP Analyst, Auditor, Incident Responder, Infrastructure Support

CompTIA Network+

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$369.00

CompTIA Network+ validates the core skills necessary to establish, maintain, troubleshoot and secure networks in any environment, preparing you for a rewarding career in networking and cybersecurity.

Approved for:

IAT Level I

CompTIA PenTest+

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$404.00

For cybersecurity professionals' tasked with penetration testing and vulnerability management.

Approved for:

CSSP Analyst, Auditor, & Incident Responder

CompTIA Security+

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$404.00

A global certification that validates the baseline skills necessary to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career.

Approved for:

IAT Level II, IAM Level I

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$950.00+

Cyber-attacks are increasing in numbers and sophistication. This means the world needs more cyber security professionals to act as the first line of defense. Skill up to become the first line of defense against cyberattacks.

Approved for:

CSSP Analyst, Auditor, Incredent Responder, & Infrastructure Support

Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$650.00+

CHFI provides its attendees with a firm grasp of digital forensics, presenting a detailed and methodological approach to digital forensics and evidence analysis that also pivots around Dark Web, IoT, and Cloud Forensics.

Approved for:

CSSP Incident Responder & Infrasturcture Support

Certified Network Defender (CND)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$550.00+

EC-Council's vendor-neutral network security certifications provide an unbiased approach to learning secure networking practices, as well as how to analyze and harden computing systems.

Approved for:

IAT Level I & II, IAM Level I, CSSP Infrasturcture Support

GIAC Certified Enterprise Defender (GCED)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$979.00

The GCED builds on the security skills measured by the GIAC. It assesses more advanced, technical skills that are needed to defend the enterprise environment and protect an organization as a whole.

Approved for:

IAT Level III

GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst (GCFA)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$979.00

The GCFA certification focuses on core skills required to collect and analyze data from Windows and Linux computer systems.

Approved for:

CSSP Incident Responder

GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$979.00

The GIAC Intrusion Analyst certification validates a practitioner's knowledge of network and host monitoring, traffic analysis, and intrusion detection.

Approved for:

CSSP Analyst

GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$979.00

The GIAC Incident Handler certification validates a practitioner's ability to detect, respond, and resolve computer security incidents using a wide range of essential security skills.

Approved for:

IAT Level III, CSSP Analyst & Infrastructure Support

GIAC Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$979.00

The GICSP bridges together IT, engineering, and cyber security to achieve security for industrial control systems from design through retirement.

Approved for:

IAT Level II, CSSP Analyst & Infrastructure Support

GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$979.00

The GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification validates a practitioner's knowledge of information security beyond simple terminology and concepts.

Approved for:

IAT Level II

GIAC Security Leadership Certification (GSLC)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$979.00

The GIAC Security Leadership (GSLC) certification validates a practitioner's understanding of governance and technical controls focused on protecting, detecting, and responding to security issues.

Approved for:

IAM Level I, II, & III

GIAC Systems and Network Auditor (GSNA)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$979.00

The GIAC Systems and Network Auditor (GSNA) certification validates a practitioner's ability to apply basic risk analysis techniques and to conduct technical audits of essential information systems.

Approved for:

CSSP Auditor

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$760.00

The CISA certification is world-renowned as the standard of achievement for those who audit, control, monitor, and assess an organization's information technology and business systems.

Approved for:

IAT Level III, CSSP Auditor

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISM)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$760.00

ISACA's CISM certification indicates expertise in information security governance, program development and management, incident management, and risk management.

Approved for:

IASAE III

Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$249.00

Earning a globally recognized advanced security administration and operations certification like the SSCP is a great way to grow your career and better secure your organization's critical assets.

Approved for:

IAT Level I & II, CSSP Infrasturcture Support

Certified in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (CGRC)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$599.00

Earning the CGRC (previously CAP) certification is a proven way to build your career and demonstrate your expertise within various risk management frameworks.

Approved for:

IAM Level I & II

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$599.00

Earning the globally recognized CCSP cloud security certification is a proven way to build your career and better secure critical assets in the cloud.

Approved for:

IAT Level III, IASAE III

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$749.00

Earning the CISSP proves you have what it takes to effectively design, implement and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program.

Approved for:

CSSP Manager

Information Systems Security Architecture Professional

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$599.00

This security architecture proves your expertise developing, designing, and analyzing security solutions.

Approved for:

IASAE III

Information Systems Security Engineering Professional

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$599.00

This security engineering certification recognizes your ability to apply engineering principles and processes to develop secure systems.

Approved for:

IASAE III

Information Systems Security Management Professional

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$599.00

This cybersecurity management certification shows you excel at establishing, presenting, and governing information security programs.

Approved for:

CSSP Manager

Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)

Potential Savings with PC4A:

$599.00

Earning the globally recognized CSSLP secure software development certification is a proven way to build your career and better incorporate security practices into each phase of the software development lifecycle.

Approved for:

IASAE I & II