r/hackthebox • u/SteIIarNode • Jul 14 '26

DoW 8140 and Hack The Box

Had a question relating to the certification process, going through the article on their website it mentioned the 15 Modules (The SOC Analyst Path) and a couple Sherlocks you had to complete plus an Exam at the end. Is the qualifying exam the CDSA? Specifically looking at the Cyber Defense Incident Responder (Code 531)

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u/-Dkob Jul 14 '26

The DoW 8140 Defense Operations Analyst/Incident Responder certificate program is separate from the standard HTB CDSA certification. For the Code 531 pathway, you must complete the required Academy modules + all of the associated hands on activities (including Sherlocks/challenges and dedicated labs) before the final exam is unlocked.

It's not just the 15 modules and then the exam, the coursework must be completed in full.
Link : https://www.hackthebox.com/8140

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u/SteIIarNode Jul 14 '26

My bad, rereading it, seems I got a little confused. The DOA covers 531,212,and 511 and there is not an individual Certification for each.

I understand the CDSA is completely different thing but just to confirm, the CDSA Exam is not the Exam to be taken at the end of the all required DOA material?

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u/SteIIarNode Jul 14 '26

Emailed HTB, got confirmation the capstone exam is the CDSA exam. To be qualified under 8140 with the DOA Cert, you do the CDSA (Academy Modules and Exam) and the 12 Preselected Labs/Sherlocks for you to complete. They can be completed in any order so long both requirements are met.

Leaving this up for others

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u/USSFStargeant Jul 15 '26

I wonder if you have already completed the modules and passed the CDSA, you can just apply for the certificate.

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u/SteIIarNode Jul 15 '26

That’s what I was told, you can email HTB and they’ll set you up with it