We're thrilled to announce the official launch of our most ambitious Cribl certification yet: the Cribl Certified Engineer (CC Engineer)! This isn't just another certification to add to your collection—it's our Level 3 certification offered within Cribl University, designed to transform how you think about data management, strategy, and engineering principles.
This One's Different (And We Mean It)
Let's be upfront: the CC Engineer certification is supposed to be challenging. It's not meant for everyone, and that's by design. We've deliberately crafted an experience that pushes you to think conceptually about data management and strategy, pushing beyond the mechanics of tool usage to embrace the mindset of a true data engineer.
Unlike our CC Admin certifications that focus on the "how" of Cribl product administration, the CC Engineer dives deep into the "why" behind data management decisions. We're talking about portable data principles that will serve you regardless of which tools you're using or which organization you join next.
Real Experience Required (No, Really)
Here's the thing—you can't fake your way through this certification. To succeed, you need real-world experience working in data environments and solid technical foundations in Regex, JavaScript, and other core technologies to build upon.
The certification curriculum then teaches you the strategic concepts and principles:
Strategic thinking about data architecture and implementation approaches
Conceptual understanding of data structures, data value, and data lifecycle management
But we don't stop at theory. Our labs pull from real-world scenarios, challenging you to apply these concepts in practical situations that mirror what you'll face as a data engineer. You'll work through complex use cases that require you to synthesize strategic thinking with hands-on implementation.
The CC Engineer certification is designed to recognize candidates who understand broader organizational data architecture goals and can thoughtfully advise on Cribl implementation and configuration to achieve them—not just follow step-by-step instructions.
What Makes a CC Engineer Stand Out
When you earn this certification, you'll demonstrate skills in several key areas:
Strategic Data Thinking: You'll understand core concepts around data management, data structures, and data value—focusing on portable principles rather than tool-specific mechanics.
Optimization Expertise: You'll learn how to optimize data for different use cases, like routing "hot" data to a SIEM versus "cold" data to a data lake, and understand the strategic reasoning behind data tiering decisions.
Implementation Skills: You'll gain hands-on experience configuring Cribl pipelines, parsers, and routes to implement the data management strategies you've learned.
Advisory Capabilities: You'll be equipped to guide Cribl product implementation decisions that align with broader organizational data architecture goals.
Innovation in Action: A Competency-Based Lab System
We're not just launching another certification—we're pioneering a new approach to data education. The CC Engineer introduces our first version of an active training tool that provides real-time grading as you progress through lab exercises.
Is it perfect? Not yet. But it's a significant step toward delivering innovative, global data education without the need for proctoring, providing professionals with career-enhancing data skills. We're breaking new ground here, and sometimes ingenuity means encountering bugs or unexpected challenges along the way.
Our new lab grading system demonstrates our dedication to advancing data education and exploring applications of competency-based learning. It's unlike anything currently available for this type of training, and we're excited to see how it evolves based on your feedback and experiences.
The Reality Check: Some Will Fail (And That's Okay)
We're balancing accessibility with rigor, and that means acknowledging an uncomfortable truth: not everyone who attempts this certification will pass. When you don't pass a lab or exam, you'll enter a mandatory study period with course recommendations to address knowledge gaps.
This isn't about creating barriers—it's about ensuring the certification maintains its value and that those who earn it truly possess the skills, knowledge and experience it represents.
Your Feedback Fuels Our Evolution
As we launch this innovative certification and training platform, we need your input. If you encounter issues, bugs, or have suggestions for improvement, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're committed to continuous iteration and improvement, and your experiences directly inform our development priorities.
Time to Put It All Together
The CC Engineer certification is live, it's free, it's global, and it's (hopefully) going to challenge you in ways you probably haven't experienced in other certifications.
Some of you will breeze through it because you've been living and breathing this stuff for years. Others will hit a wall, take a step back, study up, and come back stronger. Both paths are completely valid—and honestly, both will make you a better Cribl engineer.
If you're looking for a certification that truly reflects the complexity of real data engineering work, then this might be exactly what your career needs.
Ready to take the next step? Start the CC Engineer certification.
The CC Engineer certification joins our growing family of Cribl certifications offered in Cribl University, complementing the Level 1 and Level 2 certifications with a focus on strategic data engineering principles and implementation expertise.
