Tampa, Florida, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EC-Council, a global leader in cybersecurity education and training, and creator of the world-renowned Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential, has unveiled strategic enhancements to two of its flagship certifications: EC-Council Certified DevSecOps Engineer (ECDE) and https://www.eccouncil.org/train-certify/certified-soc-analyst-csa/. These critical upgrades are designed to equip professionals with deeply practical, job-ready cybersecurity skills, tailored for the complex, AI-integrated threat landscape dominating today’s digital economy.
These advancements are not merely cosmetic. They signal a significant leap forward in cybersecurity education, aligning EC-Council’s credentialing framework with the operational realities of Security Operations Centers (SOCs), DevSecOps pipelines, and cloud-first enterprise architectures. With hands-on labs, AI-enabled simulations, and a focus on role-readiness, the upgraded ECDE and CSA certifications directly address the global cybersecurity talent gap and the rapidly evolving demands of the industry.
ECDE Certification Reengineered: Enabling Secure Development from Code to Cloud & leveraging AI-powered tools
The EC-Council Certified DevSecOps Engineer (ECDE) certification has undergone a sweeping transformation to meet the evolving needs of secure software development in a multi-cloud, containerized world. Covering 15+ specialized job roles, including Application Security Engineer, CI/CD Security Engineer, Kubernetes Security Specialist, and Cloud Security Architect, the new ECDE places secure coding and operations at the center of modern software engineering and enables users to integrate AI-powered tools for the DevOps/DevSecOps pipeline, secure code review, and SAST.
With 70% lab-focused training designed to develop practical skills through 100+ labs, it teaches security practices spanning internal IT infrastructure, public cloud environments, and third-party tools for building and integrating DevSecOps pipelines.
Key highlights of the upgraded ECDE program include:
- Secure CI/CD Pipelines Using Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and GitLab
- Cloud-Native Security Posture Management for AWS, Azure, and GCP
- Automated Vulnerability Scanning in Build and Deployment Stages
- Threat Modeling for Microservices and Serverless Architectures
- AI-powered tools for the DevOps/DevSecOps pipeline, secure code review, and SAST.
The certification arms candidates with the ability to integrate security in the fast-paced world of DevOps, making them critical players in reducing software supply chain risks and ensuring digital trust.
CSA Certification Reinvented: Equipping Analysts to Defend in Real Time
The Certified SOC Analyst (CSA) certification now trains individuals across high-demand roles, including Threat Hunter, SOC Analyst, Incident Responder, and Forensics Analyst. Its curriculum is sharply focused on modern SOC workflows, advanced incident response strategies, and AI-driven threat detection techniques.
With over 50% of course time dedicated to lab environments, learners engage directly with the tools, techniques, and triage systems used by enterprise SOCs. Candidates will simulate everything from real-time log correlation and anomaly detection to deep packet inspection and forensic data retrieval. The result? Professionals graduate not just with theoretical knowledge, but with tactical fluency to operate confidently from day one.
CSA now incorporates advanced modules on:
- AI-Powered Log Analysis & Threat Intelligence Integration
- SOC Automation Using SIEM and SOAR Platforms
- Advanced Incident Prioritization and Response Frameworks
- Forensic Readiness and Root Cause Analysis
- Collaborative Defense via Threat Sharing Networks
As cybercriminals deploy more complex, coordinated attacks, SOC analysts are no longer optional; they’re essential. EC-Council’s upgraded CSA certification turns entry-level professionals into immediate contributors to security resilience.
Market Demand Driving the Upgrades: SOC & DevSecOps Roles Set to Explode
The urgency for capable cybersecurity professionals isn’t speculative; it’s supported by hard data. According to recent global industry reports:
- 74% of enterprises plan to scale their SOC teams within the next 24 months.
- 68% of organizations are increasing their SOC budgets, with an emphasis on AI integration and analyst upskilling.
- The DevSecOps market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 28.5%, reaching $9.08 billion in 2025, indicating a rising demand for skilled professionals
The message is clear: organizations are hungry for talent that can deliver security outcomes from the trenches, not just the textbooks. EC-Council’s upgraded ECDE and CSA certifications are designed to fill this gap with precision.
A Strategic Vision for Cybersecurity Readiness
Speaking on the launch, Jay Bavisi, Group President of EC-Council, stated:
“We are not just adding features; we’re changing the rules. Cybersecurity has evolved into a frontline business function, and that requires a new kind of professional: one that can think critically, act decisively, and execute skillfully under pressure. These certification upgrades reflect our ongoing investment in real-world learning, AI integration, and workforce readiness. Whether you’re protecting national infrastructure or securing a billion-dollar application, EC-Council is preparing you to lead.”
This announcement follows a string of aggressive innovation moves from EC-Council, including the AI-enhanced Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), the launch of CPENT powered by AI capabilities, and the Hackerverse CTF platform, all backed by a $100 million Cybersecurity Innovation Initiative.
Secure the Future: Enroll Today
With a clear focus on closing the cybersecurity skills gap, EC-Council is once again demonstrating why it remains the gold standard in global cybersecurity education. For those looking to future-proof their careers or organizations seeking proven, hands-on talent; the upgraded CSA and ECDE certifications offer an immediate and impactful advantage.
Enrollment Links:
About EC-Council:
EC-Council is the creator of the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) program and a leader in cybersecurity education. Founded in 2001, EC-Council’s mission is to provide high-quality training and certifications for cybersecurity professionals to keep organizations safe from cyber threats. EC-Council offers over 200 certifications and degrees in various cybersecurity domains, including forensics, security analysis, threat intelligence, and information security.
An ISO/IEC 17024 accredited organization, EC-Council has certified over 350,000 professionals worldwide, with clients ranging from government agencies to Fortune 100 companies. EC-Council is the gold standard in cybersecurity certification, trusted by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and leading global corporations.
For more information, visit: www.eccouncil.org
Attachment
Wall St Business News, Latest and Up-to-date Business Stories from Newsmakers of Tomorrow
