Certification
Calsec Certified Security
& Forensics Analyst
CSFA — a vendor-neutral, practitioner-level credential across five technical domains.
The credential is identical however it was earned. A subscription is not a prerequisite.
75 questions
Drawn proportionally across five domains
120 minutes
Server-anchored timer; cannot be extended
70% to pass
Overall, with 60% minimum in each domain
Exam domains
Defensive Operations
Digital Forensics
OSINT & Threat Intel
Offensive Security
Network Analysis
What it is
- A vendor-neutral, practitioner-level credential in security and forensics
- Awarded on demonstrated knowledge across five technical domains
- Publicly verifiable via a unique certificate ID at calsecforensics.com/verify
- Identical however it was earned — subscription or standalone purchase
What it is not
- Accredited by a government body or third-party awarding organisation
- A guarantee of employment or professional licensure
- A substitute for jurisdiction-specific legal or regulatory qualifications
Two paths to the same credential
Choose how you get there
Standalone
Single exam attempt
- One CSFA examination attempt
- Same certificate as Pro subscribers
- Public verification link on pass
- Resits available at $49 if needed
- No course or lab access
- Free account required
Secure checkout via Stripe. A free account is required to sit the exam.
Renewal
Certificate renewal exam
For holders whose 3-year certificate has expired
- 40-question exam (shorter than full attempt)
- Same pass thresholds — 70% overall, 60% per domain
- Certificate valid_until resets 3 years from renewal date
- Same public verification link, updated expiry date
- Only available to expired certificate holders
- Free account required
The server checks your certificate status. The renewal price only applies to expired holders.
Pro subscription
Full curriculum + exam
- One CSFA exam attempt per year
- Full training curriculum (6 courses)
- 114 hands-on browser labs
- Session history & PDF export
- All 60 tools (already free)
- Better value if you want the curriculum
Public verification
Every CSFA certificate carries a unique ID. Employers and third parties can confirm authenticity at any time — no account required.
Verify a certificateCommon questions
Do I need a subscription to sit the exam?
No. A single attempt is $199 and grants the same certificate and verification link as a Pro subscriber. A free account is still required.
What if I fail?
The attempt is used. You can purchase a resit for $49 and sit again immediately with a different question set drawn from the bank.
Is the certificate the same either way?
Yes. The credential is identical however it was earned — the certificate does not record whether you subscribed or purchased a standalone attempt.
Does the standalone purchase include course access?
No. It grants one exam attempt only. Course access, lab access, and Pro tool features require a Pro subscription.
Does my standalone credit expire?
No. Purchased credits never expire. You can buy an attempt and sit it months later.
Why is Pro better value if I want the curriculum?
Pro at $149/year includes one exam attempt per year plus the full curriculum and labs. If you plan to study with the platform, Pro costs less overall.
My certificate expired. How do I renew it?
Purchase the renewal exam ($79). It is a 40-question exam with the same pass thresholds as the full attempt. On pass, your certificate's valid-until date resets to 3 years from the renewal date — the same public verification link stays active with the updated expiry.
Does the renewal clock reset from the original issue date or from when I renew?
From the renewal date. If you renew in August 2029, your certificate is valid until August 2032 — not from the original 2026 issue date. Renewing early does not extend the window.
Ready to sit the exam?
No subscription required. Buy a single attempt, pass, and earn the same credential.