The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) is a certification developed by the (ISC) ² and the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA). The CCSP certification ensures that cloud security professionals have the needed knowledge, abilities, and skills in cloud security design, implementation, operations, controls, architecture, and compliance with regulatory frameworks.
What Is the Basic Function of A CCSP?
A CCSP uses information security knowledge to a cloud computing environment and demonstrates competence in cloud security architecture, design, operations, and service orchestration. The certification is measured against a globally known body of knowledge (CBK). The CCSP is the only certification that complements and develops upon existing certifications that include ISC)²’s , CISSP or Certified Information Systems Security Professional and CSA’s Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge or CCSK.
The topics included in the CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) are relevant to all cloud security-related fields. Successful candidates are skilled in the following six domains:
- Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design
- Cloud Data Security
- Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Security
- Cloud Application Security
- Cloud Security Operations
- Legal, Risk, and Compliance
Target Audience for CCSP:
The CCSP is ideal for experienced cybersecurity and IT/ICT professionals involved in transitioning to and maintaining cloud-based solutions and services.
- Enterprise Architect
- Security Administrator
- Systems Engineer
- Security Architect
- Security Consultant
- Security Engineer
- Security Manager
- Systems Architect
Experience Requirements:
- A CCSP candidate must have a minimum of 5 years of cumulative paid work experience in the information technology field. Among which, 3 years of experience must be in information security, and 1 year of experience should be in 1 or more of the 6 domains of the CCSP CBK.
- A year’s experience could be substituted if a candidate has CSA’s CCSK certificate or has experience of one year in one of the six domains of CCSP CBK.
- Having the CISSP certification could substitute the entire experience criteria.
- If a candidate lacks the needed experience to become a CCSP, he may become an Associate of (ISC)² by successfully passing the CCSP exam. The Associate of (ISC)² will then needs to work for 6 years to earn the 5 years of the required experience.
How Is the CCSP Exam and How Much Does It Cost?
The CCSP exam is a 180 minutes long exam. The exam comprises of 125 questions. A candidate needs to score 700 marks to pass the CCSP exam.
The current cost of the CCSP certification is 599 USD.
What Should Be the Strategy to Ace the Exam?
Passing any certification exam needs a smart study. Wasting time on irrelevant resources or information could hamper your exam preparation progress. To deal with the issue, (ISC)2 provides a great deal of training and study material to aspiring candidates for the CCSP, Certified Cloud Security Professionals certification exam. The exam resources include traditional textbooks, study guides, and contemporary tools such as interactive study apps and flashcards.
Select Best Book for the CCSP Journey:
Any exam preparation starts with searching for the right book. A candidate can follow the official (ISC)2 Guide to the CCSP CBK, Second Edition book. The book is written by Adam Gordon and covers the complete CBK knowledge.
The book acts as the basic study tool for candidates aspiring to pass the exam. The book understandably presents ideas. Topics are generously illustrated with tables, real-world scenarios, and frameworks.
The book provides the best methods and practices used by the world’s most experienced and famous security practitioners. The book is the most up-to-date version available in the market. The book comes with a step-by-step guide provided for each of the six domains. Cloud security professionals around the globe compiled and reviewed this textbook.
Following A Study Schedule and Completing the Syllabus Is Important:
Take at least two months to prepare for the CCSP exam. Make a study schedule and complete all the domains one by one. Study for at least two hours daily, if you can devote more time to help you more. You must be a working professional having CISSP experience, but a theoretical exam needs devotion. Try to make short notes while you prepare.
Take Self-Paced Training from ISC2:
(ISC)2 offers online Self-Paced training and CCSP Flash Cards. The CCSP self-Paced Training allows candidates to study at their own convenient time and an alternative to traditional classroom sessions. The self-paced training is best suitable for working professionals. This online training delivers modular training combined with interactive study material. Once you buy this course, you can access the course content for 120 days. Candidates should prepare sincerely to utilize the
The official CCSP Flash Cards help an aspirant to study anytime and anywhere for their CCSP certification exam. Using a flashcard is a unique and interactive approach to test your knowledge about the cloud security subject. While executing the test, you will get immediate feedback about whether your answer is correct or not. It can also flag individual cards for a separate study. Besides, cards are segmented for each domain to make learning easier.
Take Practice Exams:
Apart from training and flashcard method, taking practice exams help a candidate the most. You can evaluate yourself thoroughly while taking any online practice exam. Obtain as much as you can in the practice exams to score higher marks in the actual exam.
Read Also: Aim High in a Cloud Security Career with ISC2 CCSP Certification
Final Words:
The CCSP exam checks a candidate beyond book-based knowledge. The certification is proof that practitioners have a complete understanding of how the concepts can be applied.
The exam asks questions that tend to be more scenario-based than knowledge-based. These questions assess how the practitioner would respond to a particular set of circumstances,
The CCSP is different from general knowledge and instead forces practitioners to determine how their learning can be applied in specific situations. As a whole, the certification is highly recognized and earns you a great career.
