All Certificates

Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security) vs HTB Certified Defensive Security Analyst (CDSA)

Expert

Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security)

Cisco

Costs

Exam fee800,00 $
Study time~250h
Renewal3 year(s)

Editorial summary (4 sources)

Editor
HR Value
4.3
Worth Cost
2.3
Learning Value
5.0
100%recommend

Aggregated from public discussion (2 sources). Not a replacement for community reviews. Updated .

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Intermediate

HTB Certified Defensive Security Analyst (CDSA)

Hack The Box

Costs

Exam fee490,00 $
Study time~120h

Editorial summary (4 sources)

Editor
HR Value
3.8
Worth Cost
5.0
Learning Value
5.0
100%recommend

Aggregated from public discussion (4 sources). Not a replacement for community reviews. Updated .

Help by writing your own review →

Verdict: Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security) vs HTB Certified Defensive Security Analyst (CDSA)

Editorial verdict

The two certs come out close to even on editorial ratings. The right choice depends on your career direction — see the decision matrix below.This verdict uses aggregated editorial summaries from public discussion. Real community reviews will replace these once they accumulate.

HR signal

Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security)

4.3/5 vs 3.8/5

Worth cost

HTB Certified Defensive Security Analyst (CDSA)

2.3/5 vs 5.0/5

Learning

tie

5.0/5 vs 5.0/5

Recommend

tie

100% vs 100%

When to choose which

Tightest budget: HTB Certified Defensive Security Analyst (CDSA) (490,00 $ vs 800,00 $ exam fee).
Lowest 6-year total cost (with renewals): HTB Certified Defensive Security Analyst (CDSA) (~490,00 $ vs ~800,00 $).
Easier entry point: HTB Certified Defensive Security Analyst (CDSA) (intermediate vs expert).
Avoid renewal grind: HTB Certified Defensive Security Analyst (CDSA) (lifetime cert vs renewable).
Working primarily in Cisco's ecosystem: choose Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security).
Working primarily in Hack The Box's ecosystem: choose HTB Certified Defensive Security Analyst (CDSA).
Maximum HR signal: Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security) (community-rated higher on HR value).

Cost over 6 years (with renewals)

Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security)

Initial exam800,00 $
2× renewal × 0,00 $0,00 $
6-year total800,00 $

HTB Certified Defensive Security Analyst (CDSA)

Initial exam490,00 $
Lifetime — no renewals
6-year total490,00 $