Introduction

When starting a career in cybersecurity, choosing the right certifications can be daunting. With so many options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Today, I’ll be diving into the INE Enterprise Defense Admin (eEDA) course—a comprehensive program designed for entry-level professionals. We’ll explore the course syllabus, content, pricing, and exam details. If you’re new here, don’t forget to hit like and subscribe. Let’s get started!

Understanding the Syllabus

I decided to take this course to fill any knowledge gaps I might have on the defensive side of cybersecurity. As a manager, my focus is typically on organizational strategy rather than the nitty-gritty of low-level exploits. Although the eEDA course is beginner-level, I wanted to ensure my foundation was solid before moving on to more advanced topics like Incident Response, Forensics, and Threat Hunting.

Course Structure

The eEDA course is geared towards individuals with little to no IT experience, though a technical mindset is essential to grasp the concepts. INE has structured this “Learning Path” into nine smaller courses, covering a wide range of topics:

• Security Engineering and Change Management
• Introduction to Security Hardening
• Logging and Sensors
• Identity and Access Management
• Vulnerability Management
• Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)
• Perimeter and Network Security Engineering
• Security Architecture Design
• Security Engineering for Business Operations

This diverse set of topics provides a well-rounded introduction to defensive cybersecurity. Personally, I would have liked to see a module on Penetration Testing, which would offer valuable insights into offensive tactics that could enhance defensive strategies—but that might just be my bias showing.

Deep Dive into the Course Content

The eEDA course is extensive, with a wealth of material to cover:

• 51 hours of video content: Spread across 123 high-quality, professionally produced videos in 1080p resolution, with options to speed up playback.
• 86 quizzes: Each consisting of two questions, designed to reinforce learning.
• 6 labs and 1 sandbox: Labs come with a lab guide video and are nearly identical to the lab tasks themselves.
• eEDA certification: More on this later.

At 51 hours, this course is a significant commitment. I found it helpful to listen to the content while commuting or doing other tasks. Given my familiarity with much of the material, I didn’t feel the need to take detailed notes. However, I did notice some repetition across the smaller courses, which could become tedious.

Despite this, the quality of the content is excellent—both in terms of production value and relevance to the industry. The course is accurate and up-to-date, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of defensive cybersecurity.

Regarding the labs, I was a bit disappointed with the limited number—only six plus a sandbox. These labs are accessed through Apache Guacamole, so there’s no need for an OVPN connection. You can launch labs from multiple regions, which ensures smooth performance. However, I would have liked to see more labs to reinforce the material. While I understand that topics like GRC or architecture are challenging to simulate in a lab environment, incorporating some short and long-form questions in the quizzes could have encouraged deeper critical thinking, especially with the potential of AI tools enhancing these features in the future.

Speaking of quizzes, I appreciated that they were included after most videos, but I would have preferred more questions per quiz. Some of the quiz questions were also somewhat ambiguous, which can be frustrating.

Exam Overview

Now, let’s discuss the exam. The eEDA exam is an 8-hour test that includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and labs. MCQs make up 75% of the exam, with labs accounting for the remaining 25%. To pass, you need to score 80%, and the exam is conducted via Apache Guacamole.

Pricing and Value

The course is priced at $749 USD for full access to the INE platform, plus an additional $300 for the exam. While this might seem expensive for an entry-level course, it’s important to consider that you gain access to the entire INE platform, which includes courses in Cloud, Networking, Cybersecurity, and more.

INE often offers discounts, such as free exams or reduced prices. Additionally, if you choose to take subsequent exams, exam vouchers are available at a 50% discount. So while the course might be pricey on its own, the value you get from the broader INE platform makes it worth considering.

And if you’re interested in checking it out for yourself, I’ve included an affiliate link. By using it, you can support the channel while getting a quality education.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Wide range of topics covered
• Up-to-date and relevant content
• Excellent introduction to the field
• High-quality labs and videos

Cons:

• Limited number of labs
• Quiz questions can be too specific and sometimes ambiguous

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the INE Enterprise Defense Admin course offers a thorough introduction to defensive cybersecurity. While the interactive components could be expanded, it’s still a valuable resource for beginners. This course alone won’t land you a job, but it’s a solid step in the right direction.

Thanks for reading! I’ll be uploading new content every fortnight, covering more INE courses, cybersecurity career tips, and some technical topics. Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more cybersecurity insights!