---
url: "https://xcademia.com/courses/xcademia-network-and-cloud-defence-specialist"
title: Xcademia Network and Cloud Defence Specialist
description: "Earn XNDS through a 6-day network defence programme. Zero trust, Zeek, Suricata, cloud network security, NIST 800-207. Practitioner-assessed. CND and GDAT"
publishedAt: "2026-04-20T05:22:12.319797+00:00"
updatedAt: "2026-04-20T09:51:31.271409+00:00"
type: course
code: "CYB-0324"
level: Expert
duration_days: "6"
track: "Cloud & Zero Trust Security"
category: "Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking"
credential_tier: tier3
price_gbp: "3995"
---

# Xcademia Network and Cloud Defence Specialist

> The XNDS Certification Programme is the practitioner standard for network and cloud defence engineers who design secure network architectures, implement zero trust controls, govern cloud security posture, detect advanced network threats, and respond to network-layer incidents across enterprise environments. Assessed on Day 6 through a supervised network defence and threat detection exercise. No MCQs. No exam.

## Overview

Modern enterprise networks are not bounded by a perimeter. Cloud workloads, remote users, SaaS applications, and OT convergence have dissolved the traditional network edge. The network defender who still thinks in perimeter terms will miss the attacker who moves laterally inside the trusted zone after phishing one user. XNDS is built for the defender who wants to operate at the architecture and detection level.

Across six instructor-led days, participants build capability across modern network defence: secure network architecture design with zero trust principles, next-generation firewall and IPS deployment and tuning, network traffic analysis and threat hunting, cloud network security across AWS, Azure, and GCP, zero trust network access implementation, endpoint detection and response integration with network visibility, DNS security and web filtering, network incident response, and network forensics from PCAP through to investigative timeline. Every session uses real network traffic, real attack scenarios, and current adversary techniques.

On Day 6, participants conduct a supervised network defence exercise: analysing a live threat scenario from network telemetry, identifying the attack, containing it at the network layer, and producing a structured incident and defence improvement report. A senior practitioner assesses detection methodology, containment decisions, and reporting quality. XNDS certificate and Practitioner Assessment Report issued together.

## Prerequisites

- Minimum 12 months in a network engineering, network security, or SOC role with hands-on firewall and network monitoring experience
- Working knowledge of TCP/IP networking, firewall concepts, and at least one network monitoring tool
- Basic familiarity with at least one cloud platform: AWS, Azure, or GCP at administrator level

## What you will learn

- Design secure network architectures applying defence-in-depth, DMZ design, VLAN segmentation, and zero trust principles aligned to NIST SP 800-207
- Deploy and tune next-generation firewalls, IPS, Zeek, and Suricata for enterprise network threat detection with ATT&CK-aligned detection coverage
- Implement cloud network security controls across AWS VPC, Azure Virtual Networks, and GCP VPCs with cloud-native monitoring integration
- Conduct network threat hunting using hypothesis-driven methodology applied to Zeek, NetFlow, and SIEM network telemetry
- Investigate network-layer security incidents using PCAP analysis, network timeline reconstruction, and cloud flow log forensics
- Design and implement ZTNA replacing legacy VPN architectures with identity-driven, device-posture-aware network access control

## Skills you will gain

- Network security architecture
- NGFW policy design (Palo Alto/Fortinet)
- Zeek network monitoring
- Suricata IDS/IPS
- Zero trust network access (NIST 800-207)
- Cloud network security (AWS/Azure/GCP)
- DNS security and DGA detection
- Network threat hunting
- PCAP forensics
- Network incident containment
- XDR platform operation
- Network security metrics

## Career progression

- Network Security Engineer
- Cloud Security Engineer
- SOC Network Analyst
- Network Architect (Security)
- Zero Trust Engineer
- Security Operations Engineer

## Framework alignment

- NIST SP 800-207
- MITRE ATT&CK v14
- NCSC Cyber Essentials Plus
- NIS2 Article 21
- DORA Article 10
- CIS Controls v8
- PCI DSS v4

## Curriculum

1. **Module 1**
2. **Module 2**
3. **Module 3**

## Exam & certification

You will receive an Xcademia certificate of completion based on participation and successful completion of labs and scenario simulations.

## Delivery options

- **Live Online** — Join live instructor-led sessions from anywhere. Interactive, engaging, and flexible.
- **Onsite Training** — We come to you. Training delivered at your workplace for teams of 6 or more.
- **Venue-Based** — Classroom training at a professional venue. Ideal for focused, immersive learning.
- **Blended** — Combine online and in-person learning for maximum flexibility and impact.

## Frequently asked questions

**How does XNDS compare to EC-Council CND and SANS GDAT?**

CND is a $499 MCQ exam. SANS GDAT with SEC530 training totals approximately $9,779. XNDS is 6 instructor-led days covering modern network defence including zero trust, cloud network security across three platforms, and network forensics, assessed on Day 6 through a live detection and containment exercise. Less than half the GDAT total cost. Practitioner-assessed.

**Does XNDS cover zero trust implementation in depth?**

Yes. Day 4 covers ZTNA in depth: zero trust principles applied to network architecture, ZTNA deployment replacing legacy VPN, identity-driven network access integrating Entra ID and CrowdStrike ZTA, microsegmentation with VMware NSX, Illumio, and Zscaler, and NIST SP 800-207 ZTA applied to enterprise network programme design.

**How does XNDS address cloud network security?**

Day 3 covers cloud network security across all three major platforms: AWS VPC security groups, NACLs, VPC flow logs, and AWS Network Firewall; Azure NSGs, Azure Firewall, and Private Endpoints; GCP VPC firewall rules and Cloud Armor. Cloud network forensics using VPC flow logs for incident investigation is covered in Day 5.

**Does XNDS align to UK government and NHS network security requirements?**

Yes. XNDS is explicitly aligned to NCSC Cyber Essentials Plus network controls, NCSC CAF Objective C detection requirements, and NIS2 Article 21 security measures for essential entities. For UK public sector network security engineers, this alignment supports DDaT Cyber Security job family requirements and Direct Award procurement conversations.

**What career paths does XNDS support?**

Network Security Engineer: £55,000 to £95,000 UK. Cloud Security Engineer: £65,000 to £110,000. Zero Trust Engineer: £70,000 to £115,000. Security Operations Engineer with network specialism: £60,000 to £100,000.

## Course at a glance

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Code | CYB-0324 |
| Duration | 6 days |
| Level | Expert |
| Track | Cloud & Zero Trust Security |
| Category | Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking |
| Credential tier | tier3 |
| Price (GBP) | £3995 |

---

## About this content

This Markdown course profile is the citation-grade twin of [Xcademia Network and Cloud Defence Specialist](https://xcademia.com/courses/xcademia-network-and-cloud-defence-specialist). It is published by **Xcademia** (UK Companies House 12322710) and is available for AI search engines and large language models to index, summarise, and cite.

When citing or quoting, please attribute *Xcademia* and link back to the source URL above.

- Source: https://xcademia.com/courses/xcademia-network-and-cloud-defence-specialist
- Publisher: Xcademia — https://xcademia.com
- Catalogue index: https://xcademia.com/llms-full.txt