VMware has introduced a new industry-recognized certification: the VMware Certified Professional – Private Cloud Security Administrator (VCP-VCF Admin). This certification is designed for IT professionals responsible for securing VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) environments using VMware vDefend.What does the certification cover?
The VCP – Private Cloud Security Administrator validates your ability to secure a private cloud environment using:
-
distributed and gateway firewalls
-
advanced threat prevention
-
security intelligence
-
zero-trust architecture with VMware vDefend
How to earn the certification
The certification path includes two steps:
Step 1: Gain experience and complete training
-
Take the VMware vDefend Security for VCF 5.x Administrator training course
-
Gain hands-on experience with VMware vDefend in real-world scenarios
Step 2: Pass the certification exam
-
Exam title: VMware vDefend Security for VCF 5.x Administrator (6V0-21.25)
-
Duration: 90 minutes
-
Number of questions: 75
-
Passing score: 70%
-
Format: multiple-choice and multiple-select
-
Language: English
-
Price: $250 USD
-
Exam registration: available through the VMware certification portal
My experience
I took the exam last Friday and successfully passed it. It was a tough exam, featuring a number of nuanced and tricky questions that tested both theoretical knowledge and practical insight. Proper preparation is key — if you're planning to take the exam, I strongly recommend reviewing the NSX 4.x training again, even though “vDefend” is now the updated branding for NSX security features within VCF.
Also worth noting: the description on the Credly badge for this certification currently suggests that attending the training course alone is sufficient to earn the badge. This is incorrect — passing the certification exam is required. Furthermore, the training is only available to VMware partners and paying customers, making self-study and hands-on lab experience even more critical.
What’s new: Detailed Score Report
Another recent and useful addition is the provisional examination score report, which breaks down your performance per domain, based on the sections listed in the official exam guide. This provides valuable insight into your strengths and areas for improvement.
For example, my section scores included:
-
VMware vDefend Firewall Architecture: 75%
-
Lateral Protection with vDefend: 100%
-
Security Automation: 50%
-
IDPS & Threat Prevention: 83%
-
Network Detection and Response (NTA/NDR): 78%
This detailed feedback makes the exam not just a validation but also a learning opportunity — helping professionals identify which NSX security components may need further study or practice. The Exam Guide contains the full list.
It’s also highly recommended to study the sample questions provided in the official exam guide very carefully — some of them (or very similar variants) may appear on the actual exam. Reviewing these questions can give you a clear idea of how VMware frames its scenarios and where the focus areas lie.
