Data and Tools for Defense Analysts
Course Description
Security analysts are drowning in data. Logs, alerts, network flows—millions of events every day. The key is knowing how to collect, analyze, and visualize that data to find real threats. This course, developed by Cisco in partnership with Splunk, teaches you exactly how to do that.
You'll learn the fundamentals of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, with hands-on labs using Splunk (the industry-leading SIEM platform). The course covers data normalization, searching and querying log data, creating dashboards and visualizations, and threat hunting techniques. You'll work with real security data sets to identify malicious activity.
This free, self-paced course takes about 15 hours to complete and is designed for aspiring security analysts. It's ideal preparation for roles in Security Operations Centers (SOCs). Upon completion, you'll earn an official Cisco digital badge that includes Splunk recognition.
Course Provider
Provider: Cisco Networking Academy, in partnership with Splunk, a leading provider of security data analytics and SIEM solutions.
Platform: Cisco NetAcad online platform – fully online, self-paced, with integrated Splunk virtual labs.
Accreditation: This course is highly valued by employers seeking SOC analysts. Splunk skills are in high demand, and the Cisco badge signals practical data analytics capability.
Course Syllabus (Key Modules)
Learning Objectives
- Understand the role of data and SIEM tools in modern security operations.
- Collect, normalize, and onboard security data from various sources into Splunk.
- Write effective Splunk searches to filter and analyze log data.
- Create dashboards and visualizations to monitor security posture.
- Perform proactive threat hunting using data analytics techniques.
- Investigate security incidents using real-world case studies.
- Earn a Cisco digital badge that includes Splunk recognition.
Course Prerequisites
Technical: Solid understanding of networking fundamentals and basic cybersecurity concepts. Prior completion of Cisco's Introduction to Cybersecurity and Network Defense is highly recommended.
Recommended prior courses: Introduction to Cybersecurity, Network Defense, or equivalent knowledge.
Who should take this: Aspiring security analysts, SOC analysts, incident responders, and cybersecurity students who want to master security data analysis tools like Splunk.
User Reviews
"This course was a game-changer for my career. I had theoretical security knowledge, but I didn't know how to actually analyze logs at scale. The Splunk labs are fantastic—you work with real data. The module on threat hunting was my favorite. I landed a SOC analyst job three months after completing this course."
"Excellent introduction to Splunk and security data analytics. The Search Processing Language (SPL) section is well-taught—you'll be able to write meaningful queries by the end. The dashboards module is very practical. My only wish is that it covered more advanced threat hunting, but for an introductory course, it's solid."
"I took this course while preparing for the CompTIA Security+ exam. The hands-on SIEM experience gave me a huge advantage over candidates who only studied theory. The case studies at the end (data breach, insider threat) pulled everything together. The Cisco badge with Splunk recognition definitely helped my LinkedIn profile."
Based on 720+ ratings on Cisco NetAcad.
💡 Final Thoughts
In cybersecurity, data is everywhere, but insights are rare. This course teaches you how to turn raw log data into actionable security intelligence using Splunk, the industry-leading SIEM tool. You'll learn to search, visualize, and hunt for threats—skills that are in high demand for SOC analyst roles. The course is hands-on from day one, with real data and real Splunk labs. It does assume you already understand basic networking and security concepts, so complete the introductory courses first. But if you're ready, this free course is one of the best ways to build practical data analytics skills for defense. The Cisco + Splunk badge is a powerful credential for your resume.
Data and Tools for Defense Analysts (Cisco Splunk) – FAQ
Is this course really free?
Yes, completely free. Cisco Networking Academy offers this course at no cost. You just need a free NetAcad account.
Do I need prior Splunk experience?
No. The course starts from the very basics of Splunk. However, you do need a solid understanding of networking and cybersecurity fundamentals.
Will I learn to write Splunk queries?
Yes. The course covers Splunk Search Processing Language (SPL) and you'll write real queries in virtual labs.
Is this course good for SOC analyst preparation?
Absolutely. SIEM skills are core to SOC analyst roles, and Splunk is the most widely used SIEM platform. This course gives you practical, hands-on experience.
Will I receive a certificate or badge?
Yes, upon passing the final exam, you'll earn an official Cisco digital badge that includes Splunk recognition. You can share it on LinkedIn.
Does this course require installing software?
No. All labs run in your browser through the Cisco NetAcad platform. No local installation needed.