The Ultimate

Guide to the CCSP

Be a leader in the field of cloud security
Achieve more
in your career
You prove every day that you have what
it takes to secure critical assets. But our
profession is always changing, and even
the brightest minds can benefit from
having a guide on the journey to success.
ISC2 is here to help you discover the
right path, create your plan and thrive
throughout your career.

The Ultimate Guide to the CCSP covers

everything you need to know about
the world’s leading cloud security
certification. Inside, learn how CCSP and
ISC2 help distinguish you as a top-level
cybersecurity expert.

Inside…
» Is CCSP right for me?
» CCSPs in the community
» CCSP fast facts
» Benefits of CCSP certification
» Benefits of ISC2 membership
» Exam overview
» Official training
» Pathway to certification
» CPE opportunities
» Continuing professional development
Is CCSP right for me?
As cyberthreats continue to make daily headlines, the need for cloud security experts is
at an all-time high. Yet talent is scarce. That’s where CCSP from ISC2 comes in — to help
fill the gap in cloud security. Once certified, the opportunities for certified professionals
are near limitless.

CCSP, a vendor-neutral cloud security credential, not only provides a strong

foundational understanding of key concepts, it recognizes IT and information
security leaders who have the knowledge and competency to apply best practices to
cloud security architecture, design, operations and service orchestration. As more
organizations worldwide move to multicloud operations, the versatile skills from
vendor-neutral certification are highly desirable for cloud security teams.

CCSP is particularly well-suited for IT and information security professionals seeking to

prove their understanding of cybersecurity and securing critical assets in the cloud. It
shows you have the advanced knowledge and technical skills to design, manage and
secure data, applications and infrastructure in the cloud.

As a first step – become an ISC2 Candidate

Begin your journey by joining ISC2, the world’s leading cybersecurity professional organization.
As a Candidate, you’ll access many of the benefits our certified members enjoy, including 20% off
online training and 30% - 50% off textbooks to help you on your path to CCSP certification.

Sign up now. Your first year is free — no cost to you.*

*If you choose to renew after the first year, U.S. $50 due annually.

Acquire five years experience

To qualify for the CCSP, candidates must have at least five years of cumulative, paid
work experience in information technology, of which three years must be in information
security and one year in one or more of the six domains of the ISC2 CCSP Common Body
of Knowledge (CBK).

If you don’t yet have the required experience to become a CCSP, you can become an
Associate of ISC2 after successfully passing the CCSP exam. You will then have six years to
earn the experience needed for the CCSP certification.

Discover your path

See “Pathway to certification” for more information.
 Jobs that typically use or require
CCSP certification
• Cloud Architect • DevOps • Security Consultant
• Chief Information Security • Enterprise Architect • Security Engineer
Officer (CISO) • IT Contract Negotiator • Security Manager
• Chief Information Officer • IT Risk and Compliance • Systems Architect
(CIO) Manager • Systems Engineer
• Chief Technology Officer • Security Administrator • SecOps
• Engineer/Developer/ • Security Analyst
Manager
• Security Architect
CCSPs in the community
“Vendor knowledge in cloud security is focused on a particular cloud solution
and the tools to manage it — but the CCSP is the glue that connects all the
concepts. You get a better overview so you can see the capabilities and how
everything fits together.”
Jonas Björk
Security Presale Representative
Telia Cygate, Helsingborg, Sweden

“Certification from widely recognized bodies like ISC2 clarify factual

information versus opinion. In cloud security, it’s important to provide
recommendations based on facts supported by data. The CCSP Common
Body of Knowledge (CBK®) is a great source of information in that respect.”
Vanessa Leite
Principal Strategy and Consulting
CyberCX, Wellington, New Zealand

“CCSP complements my CISSP by asserting my knowledge in key areas specific

to cloud environments. Cloud-based technologies and theory are ubiquitous
in today’s IT and cybersecurity realms, and the CCSP took the knowledge I
had and updated it to take me to the next level in my career.”
David Schneider
Senior Cyber Security Threat Engineer
Garmin International, Olathe, KS

“Cloud is in the present and it will be here in the future. Every company will
always have a footprint in the cloud. The CCSP is a credential that, as a
cybersecurity professional, you need to invest in. It is an asset that will serve
you for years.”

Panagiotis Soulos
Global Information Security Manager
Intrum, Athens, Greece

Become an ISC2 Candidate

You’ll access a full range of benefits as you pursue the CCSP, including 20% off
online training and 30% - 50% off textbooks to help you prepare. Sign up now.
CCSP Fast facts

Introduced in 2015

Exam available
in 6 languages at
882 locations in
114 countries
CCSPs are part of
a network of over
500,000 cybersecurity
professionals

DoD-approved

ANAB/ANSI
accredited

Average CCSP Salary:

U.S. $137,100

Shout-outs
Ranked #2 on ‘THE NEXT BIG THING’ LIST as the certification survey
respondents plan to earn in 2023 . — Certification Magazine

“CCSP is the most

CCSP makes the list of most well-rounded
top cloud certifications certification by far
— SC Magazine for the cloud protection area.”
— Certification Magazine
Benefits of CCSP certification

Career opportunities and

advancement
Raise visibility and credibility,
improve job security and create Versatile skills
new opportunities. Build vendor-neutral skills
that can be applied to
different technologies and
methodologies.

Credibility
Demonstrate a solid
foundation to mitigate and
respond to cyberthreats. Leadership
Develop a broad set of technical
and nontechnical skills that job
experience alone doesn’t provide.

Membership in a
strong peer network
Become an ISC2 member,
unlocking exclusive
resources, educational tools Higher salaries
and peer-to-peer networking
In 2023, Certification Magazine’s
opportunities.
annual survey lists an average
salary of $137,100 (in U.S.)
and $115,150 (globally).

Expanded knowledge
Stronger skill set
Reach a deeper, better and
Expand the skills and
broader understanding of the
knowledge needed to fulfill
Common Body of Knowledge
organizational duties.
(CBK®) in cybersecurity.
Benefits of ISC2 membership
Once you earn your CCSP, you’ll become an ISC2 member and part of a professional
community that never stops learning and growing. You’ll also gain access to a full
suite of benefits and resources for continuing education and development, many
that will help you earn CPE credits to maintain your certification:

• Free online continuing professional

development courses

• Discount on ISC2 Certificates

• Discount pricing for ISC2 events and industry

events including ISC2 Security Congress

• Discounts on CRC Press

(all certification CBK books)
• Discounts on Wiley publications (all certification
practice test books and study guides)

• Free access to ISC2 webinars on cybersecurity

topics, tools and trends

• Free access to ISC2 Security Congress webinar

channel, containing breakout sessions from
past conferences

• Invitation to join or start a local ISC2 Chapter

• Volunteer opportunities

• Access to the
Center for Cyber Safety and Education

• Professional recognition through

ISC2 Global Achievement Awards

Sign up now to become an ISC2 Candidate

Your first year is free — no cost to you.* You’ll enjoy most of these benefits as you prepare for
certification — plus 20% off Online Instructor-Led and Online Self-Paced Training for CCSP.

*If you choose to renew after the first year, U.S. $50 due annually.
Exam overview
The CCSP exam evaluates expertise across six security domains. (Think of domains as topics you
need to master based on your professional experience and education.) Passing the exam proves
you have the advanced knowledge and technical skills to effectively design, manage and secure data,
applications and infrastructure in the cloud using best practices, policies and procedures.

16% 13%
Cloud Security Operations Legal Risk & Compliance

17%
Cloud Concepts

17% Architecture & Design

Cloud Application
Security

17% 20%
Cloud Platform & Cloud Data Security
Infrastructure Security

150 Number of items

on the CCSP exam View the CCSP exam outline.

Exam availability:
English, Japanese, Chinese, German,

4
Korean and Spanish
Maximum amount of
hrs. time for the exam
Testing Centers: Pearson VUE

700
CISSP certification holders
automatically meet the experience
Score you need out of 1,000 requirements for CCSP.
to pass the exam
Official training
ISC2 offers Official Training for CCSP. Save 20% on Official ISC2 Training when you sign up to be an
ISC2 Candidate.

Everyone has their own style of learning. That’s why we offer three options to help guide you in CCSP
certification. Experience new learning with recently enhanced Official ISC2 CCSP Training options.
Find training.

1. Online Self-Paced – Register now

Your self-guided tour toward certification — now featuring adaptive learning for a streamlined experience
customized to each individual. Leveraging the power of AI, the training guides learners through a self-paced
learning experience adapted to their individual needs.
• Flexibility to study on your own time and at your own pace
• Personalized learning that adapts to your needs
• Interactive, engaging courseware
• Analytics dashboard to track learning progress
• Education Guarantee

2. Online Instructor-Led – Register now

Progress through the course domain-by-domain with content that aligns specifically to the CCSP
CBK domains to be easier-to-follow.
• Live virtual instruction from an ISC2 Authorized Instructor
• Virtual collaboration with classmates
• Interactive, engaging courseware
• New digital eTextbook
• Addition of glossary
• Key takeaway resources for each domain
• Education Guarantee

3. Classroom-Based – Learn more

Your guided small group tour (10 or more students) toward certification
• Learn in-person at your office or a private venue near you
• Interact with an ISC2 Authorized Instructor and students
• Coordinate training around your schedule

CCSP self-study tools

We offer a variety of self-study tools to supplement your coursework
and reinforce key concepts. Choose from options for every schedule
and learning style.
Pathway to certification
1 Become an ISC2 Candidate
Begin your journey by joining ISC2, the world’s leading cybersecurity professional organization.
As a candidate, you’ll access many of the benefits our certified members enjoy, including 20%
off training and 30% - 50% off textbooks to help you on your path to CCSP.
Sign up now.

2 Obtain the required experience

To qualify for the CCSP, candidates must have at least five years of cumulative, paid work
experience in information technology, of which three years must be in information security,
and one year in one or more of the six domains of the ISC2 CCSP Common Body of Knowledge
(CBK):

• Domain 1: Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design

• Domain 2: Cloud Data Security
• Domain 3: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security
• Domain 4: Cloud Application Security
• Domain 5: Cloud Security Operations
• Domain 6: Legal, Risk and Compliance

If you don’t yet have the required experience, you may become an Associate of ISC2 after
successfully passing the CCSP exam. The Associate of ISC2 will then have six years to earn
the experience needed for the CCSP certification.
Pathway to certification
3 Study for the exam
Many self-study resources are available from ISC2 – the creator and keeper of the CCSP
CBK – to help you prepare with confidence. Some CCSP candidates pass the exam with
self-study, and many choose to attend an Official ISC2 Training to review and refresh
their knowledge before sitting for the exam.

4
Pass the exam
Candidates are given a maximum of three hours to complete the 150-item CCSP exam.
Ready for the exam? Register now and get it on your calendar.

5
Get endorsed
After you pass the exam, you have nine months from the date of the exam to complete
the ISC2 endorsement process.

6 Earn CPE credits

Once you are certified, you become a member of ISC2 and recertify every three years.
Recertification is accomplished by earning continuing professional education (CPE) credits
and paying an annual maintenance fee (AMF) to support ongoing development.

90 CPE credits
over 3 years

U.S. $125 AMF

Members with multiple ISC2
certifications only pay a single AMF.
CPE opportunities
The CPE credit requirement helps you maintain your competencies following initial
certification. By developing and enhancing skills through CPE activities, you make an
important investment in yourself while increasing value to customers and employers.

Join webinars
• Think Tanks
• Security Briefings
• Knowledge Vault
• Security Congress

Read and write

• Read a book directly related to CCSP and submit a 150-word review
• Author an information security article published in a journal or magazine
• Review an educational white paper related to the CCSP

Attend trainings and events

• ISC2 Chapter meetings
• Prepare or attend an educational presentation related to the CCSP CBK domains
• ISC2 Skill-Builders – grow your knowledge with short-format learning on demand
• ISC2 Certificates – Grow your skills with quick learning averaging just 3.5 hours per
certificate that focuses on high demand subject matter
• Discount pricing for ICS2 events and industry events, including ISC2 Security Congress

Volunteer
• Become a Safe and Secure Online Ambassador and spread your knowledge about
cyber safety in your community
• Volunteer to help develop ISC2 certification exams
Continuing
professional development
ISC2 Certificates allow you to advance your skills in areas employers are seeking and provide pathways toward gaining
the competencies you need for the journey to ISC2 certification.

Our ISC2 Cloud Security Certificates focus on vendor-neutral cloud security principles and practices to help you stand
out in the field. Online on-demand certificates include:

• Cloud Basics
• Moving to the Cloud
• Working in the Cloud

Our ISC2 Security Engineering Certificates demonstrate your knowledge of designing protocols and mechanisms to
protect critical data and assets against cyberthreats. Online on-demand certificates include:

• System Security Engineering Planning and Design

• System Security Engineering Foundations
• System Security Engineering Operations

Stay in front of the hottest topics and trends impacting your current role and your cybersecurity career with
ISC2 Cloud Security Skill-Builders, created by industry experts and available now on demand. Get up to speed on
cloud computing today and the latest mitigation strategies for emerging information and security risks with
short-format learning designed to fit your busy schedule.
Get in touch with us
For more information about CCSP certification and training, contact an Education
Consultant in your region:

Americas — Phone: +1.866.331.4722 ext. 2, Email: [email protected]

Europe, Middle East and Africa — Phone: +44 203 960 7800, Email: [email protected]
Asia-Pacific — Phone: +852.5803.5662, Email: [email protected]

About ISC2
ISC2 is an international nonprofit membership association
focused on inspiring a safe and secure cyber world. Best
known for the acclaimed Certified Information Systems Security
Professional (CISSP®) certification, ISC2 offers a portfolio of
credentials that are part of a holistic, pragmatic approach
to security. Our association of candidates, associates and
members, more than 500,000 strong, is made up of certified
cyber, information, software and infrastructure security
professionals who are making a difference and helping
to advance the industry. Our vision is supported by our
commitment to educate and reach the general public through
our charitable foundation – The Center for Cyber Safety and
Education™. For more information on ISC2, visit www.isc2.org,
follow us on X or connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

© 2023 ISC2, Inc. All rights reserved. 09/2023