Red Hat Certified Specialist in Security: Linux — the EX415 exam
The Red Hat Certified Specialist in Security: Linux certification is earned by passing EX415, a four-hour, performance-based exam on securing Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Red Hat expects RHCSA-level skills, includes one free retake, and keeps the certification current for three years. It counts toward the RHCA. Red Hat does not publish a passing score or a single global price on these pages.
- Certification
- Red Hat Certified Specialist in Security: Linux, issued by Red HatRed Hat certification page, checked 14 October 2026
- Exam
- EX415, a single section lasting four hoursRed Hat EX415 exam page, checked 14 October 2026
- Format
- Performance-based: real tasks on live systems; configurations must persist after rebootRed Hat EX415 exam page, checked 14 October 2026
- Exam cost
- Not published as a single figure; shown for your location when you registerRed Hat EX415 exam page, checked 14 October 2026
- Passing score
- Not published by Red Hat on the exam pageRed Hat EX415 exam page, checked 14 October 2026
- Retake
- One free second attempt for every paid first attemptRed Hat Certification program guide, checked 14 October 2026
- Delivery
- Remote option from home or office via a bootable LiveUSBRed Hat Certification program guide, checked 14 October 2026
- Recommended background
- RHCSA or comparable work experience and skillsRed Hat EX415 exam page, checked 14 October 2026
- Validity
- Current for 3 years; renewed only by passing EX415 againRed Hat Certification Renewal, checked 14 October 2026
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Why you can trust these EX415 questions
What is the Red Hat Certified Specialist in Security: Linux?
Red Hat says a holder of this credential has demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to secure Red Hat Enterprise Linux systems and to enforce security policy compliance. You earn it by passing a single exam, EX415.
Red Hat names two audiences: system administrators who manage large enterprise environments or secure an organisation’s infrastructure, and Red Hat Certified Engineers working towards the Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA) credential, because the certification counts towards RHCA.
Neither the certification page nor the exam page shows a retirement notice. As of 14 October 2026 the Red Hat security specialist cert is active.
Source: Red Hat — Red Hat Certified Specialist in Security: Linux. Checked 14 October 2026.
EX415 exam format
EX415 is a performance-based exam: you are given real systems and tasks, and you configure them. It consists of a single section lasting four hours. There are no multiple-choice questions to fall back on — either the system ends up in the required state or it does not.
As with all Red Hat performance-based exams, configurations must persist after a reboot without intervention. A setting that works only until the next restart counts as not done, so reboot and recheck during your own practice.
Red Hat states that exam objectives are based on the most recent Red Hat product version available and that it reserves the right to add, modify and remove objectives. Check the objective list on the exam page shortly before you book.
Source: Red Hat — EX415 exam. Checked 14 October 2026.
How much does the EX415 exam cost?
Red Hat does not print a single EX415 price on the exam page; you choose your location and see the price that applies there. The training and certification FAQ confirms only that the recent framework changes did not change the price of Red Hat exams.
What is fixed is the retake rule: Red Hat provides one free second attempt for every paid first attempt on the same exam. Further attempts need a new paid registration, and you cannot take the same exam more than once on the same calendar day.
Source: Red Hat — Certification program guide. Checked 14 October 2026.
EX415 passing score and results
Red Hat does not state an EX415 passing score on the exam page, and this guide does not repeat figures from elsewhere. Scores are reported as a total score only, without a breakdown by objective.
Official scores come exclusively from Red Hat Certification Central and are usually reported within three US business days.
Source: Red Hat — EX415 exam. Checked 14 October 2026.
What is on the Red Hat Certified Specialist in Security: Linux exam?
Red Hat publishes the study points for EX415 in nine groups. Two of them are about Ansible Automation Platform, so this is not a pure Linux hardening exam: you configure managed nodes, run playbooks and restrict inventories, credentials and templates in automation controller.
The rest covers the core RHEL security tooling, from intrusion detection with AIDE to compliance scanning and remediation with OpenSCAP.
- Configure Ansible Automation Platform — managed nodes, simple inventories, running a provided playbook
- Implement access controls for automation controller — restrict inventories, credentials and projects; create and launch templates
- Configure intrusion detection — install AIDE and monitor critical system files
- Configure encrypted storage — LUKS on physical or logical block devices, persistence with NBDE, passphrase changes
- Restrict USB devices — USBGuard device policy rules and daemon configuration
- Manage system login security using PAM — password quality, failed login policy, PAM configuration files
- Configure system auditing — audit rules, prepackaged rules, audit reports
- Configure SELinux — enable it for an application, interpret violations, SELinux user mappings, fix existing configurations
- Enforce security compliance using OpenSCAP — scan hosts, tailor policy, generate and apply a remediation playbook
Source: Red Hat — EX415 exam. Checked 14 October 2026.
Prerequisites for EX415
There is no mandatory prerequisite certification listed on the certification page. The exam page recommends that you be a Red Hat Certified System Administrator or have comparable work experience and skills.
The official RH415 course sets a higher bar for itself: RHCE (EX294) or equivalent RHEL knowledge and experience. Because two exam groups use Ansible Automation Platform, RHCE-level Ansible skills are a practical advantage even if they are not required.
Source: Red Hat — EX415 exam. Checked 14 October 2026.
Official training: RH415
Red Hat recommends Red Hat Security: Linux in Physical, Virtual, and Cloud (RH415), but attending it is not required to sit EX415. The course is based on RHEL 9.2, Ansible Core 2.14, Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform 2.4, Satellite 6.14 and OpenSCAP 1.3.7.
Its modules map closely onto the exam groups: LUKS and NBDE, USB device access, PAM, audit, file system monitoring, SELinux and OpenSCAP, plus Red Hat Insights and Satellite for compliance at scale. RH415 is offered through Red Hat’s training locations, as private training and in the Red Hat Learning Subscription.
Source: Red Hat — RH415 course. Checked 14 October 2026.
Taking EX415 remotely
Red Hat offers remote exams that you take from your home or office using a bootable LiveUSB environment. A mandatory compatibility test is required before exam day, so run it well in advance rather than the evening before.
At the start of the session you accept Red Hat’s terms and conditions and a non-disclosure agreement covering the exam content.
Source: Red Hat — Certification program guide. Checked 14 October 2026.
How long is the certification current?
Red Hat certifications are current for three years from the date earned. Specialist certifications like this one can only be kept current by taking and passing their respective exam again; earning other credentials does not extend them.
If you are building towards RHCA, that matters: RHCA status depends on keeping enough eligible credentials current, so plan the EX415 renewal alongside your other exams.
Source: Red Hat — Certification Renewal. Checked 14 October 2026.
EX415 brain dumps and exam rules
Red Hat’s certification program guide is explicit: do not use unauthorised materials, including “brain dump” websites, and do not share exam content — tasks, questions or solutions — with anyone by any means.
Sanctions include revocation of some or all current Red Hat certifications and a temporary or permanent ban from the Red Hat Certification Program. On a performance-based exam a memorised answer helps little anyway: what is evaluated is the work you do on the systems.
Source: Red Hat — Certification program guide. Checked 14 October 2026.
EX415 practice questions
Certsqill EX415 practice questions are expert-developed for the Red Hat Certified Specialist in Security: Linux exam. Every question comes with an explanation for every answer option, so you understand which tool, file or setting solves a security task and why the alternatives do not.
A readiness score per domain tracks the exam groups from Ansible Automation Platform to OpenSCAP, so you can see where to put your lab time. Access comes with a 7-day money-back guarantee.
EX415 questions people ask
Which exam leads to the Red Hat Certified Specialist in Security: Linux?
EX415. Source: Red Hat certification page, checked 14 October 2026.
How long is the EX415 exam?
Four hours, in a single section. Source: Red Hat EX415 exam page, checked 14 October 2026.
Is EX415 multiple choice?
No. It is a performance-based exam on live systems, and configurations must persist after a reboot. Source: Red Hat, checked 14 October 2026.
How much does the EX415 exam cost?
Red Hat shows the price for your location when you register; no single global price is published on the exam page. Checked 14 October 2026.
What is the EX415 passing score?
Red Hat does not state it on the exam page. Scores are reported as a total within about three US business days. Checked 14 October 2026.
Do I need RHCSA before EX415?
Red Hat recommends RHCSA or comparable experience; no prerequisite certification is listed. Source: Red Hat, checked 14 October 2026.
Is there a free retake?
Yes. Red Hat provides one free second attempt for every paid first attempt. Source: Red Hat Certification program guide, checked 14 October 2026.
Can I take the EX415 exam remotely?
Yes, from home or office using a bootable LiveUSB, after a mandatory compatibility test. Source: Red Hat, checked 14 October 2026.
Does the Red Hat security specialist cert count toward RHCA?
Yes. Source: Red Hat certification page, checked 14 October 2026.
How long does the certification stay current?
Three years; renew by passing EX415 again. Source: Red Hat Certification Renewal, checked 14 October 2026.
