Guide to CYBERSECURITY The entry-level credential for tomorrow’s cybersecurity leaders Begin your journey to an exciting and rewarding career Careers in cybersecurity allow you to work where life lands you with near limitless employment opportunities. ISC2 is here to help you discover the right path to enter the field, create your plan an thrive throughout your career.
The Ultimate Guide to Certified i
Cybersecurity (CC) covers everything you need to know about the entry-level credential recognized by organizations worldwide. Inside, learn how CC and ISC2 can start you on your path to advanced cybersecurity certifications and futur leadership roles.
Inside… » Is CC right for me? » ISC2 Candidate » CCs in the community » CC fast Facts » Benefits of CC certification » Benefits of ISC2 membership » Exam overview » Official training » Pathway to certification » CPE opportunities » Continuing professional development Is CC right for me? As cyberthreats continue to escalate worldwide, the need for security experts is at an all-time high. Yet talent is scarce. Research shows the cybersecurity workforce needs an influx of 3.4 million professionals to meet global demand.1
That’s where the ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) certification comes in. From the global leader in information security credentials, this new certification creates a clear pathway to an exciting and rewarding career in cybersecurity. It breaks down traditional barriers to entry, enabling you to build confidence and enter your first cybersecurity role ready for what’s next.
CC candidates include: • IT professionals • College students or recent graduates • Career-changers • Executives seeking foundational knowledge in cybersecurity
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 cert fied members enjoy, including 20% ff online training and 30% - 50% off textbooks to help you on your path to CC cert fication.
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
What experience is required?
There are no specific prerequisites to take the CC exam. Simply sign up to become an ISC2 Candidate to get started.
No work experience in cybersecurity or any formal educational diploma/degree is
required. If you’re a problem-solver with an analytical mindset, the entry-level cybersecurity certification is right for you
Discover your path
See “Pathway to certification” for more information.
1 2022 Cybersecurity Workforce Study ISC2 Candidate benefit
To access free Official ISC2 Online Self-Paced Training for CC and one free CC exam registration, you must become an ISC2 Candidate. You’ll enjoy these benefits and more:
• 20% off online training courses
• Discount pricing for ISC2 events and industry events, including ISC2 Security Congress • ISC2 Local Chapter – join or start one • Discounted learning resources • Volunteer opportunities • Peer-to-peer networking and exchange of best practices • Professional recognition and award programs • And more!
Sign up now to become an ISC2 Candidate. Your first year is free — no cost to you.*
*If you choose to renew after the first year, U.S. $50 due annually.
ISC2 Candidate is open to non-members only. Members, explore your benefits.
Entry-level cybersecurity job roles include: • Security analyst • Junior penetration tester • Security specialist • Security engineer • Security architect • IT auditor • Security auditor • IT security manager • Forensic specialist/analyst • Systems administrator CCs in the community “Foundational topics are covered really well in the Certified in Cybersecurity course. When you’ve gone through the material and understand the information, it’s more than enough as a starting point.” Rickhard Alén Security Solutions Lead Norcloud, Helsinki, Finland
“The information in the ISC2 entry-level cybersecurity certification can be
applied to real-life scenarios. I appreciate that the body of knowledge is so current.” Brian Whitsett Chief Technology and Operating Offic Life Journey Psychological Services, Grand Rapids, MI
“I’m shifting careers from product management to information security.
Certified in Cybersecurity gives me a starting point and a certificate I can showcase while I work toward earning the CISSP, which is far more complex and requires many months of preparation.” Radhika Gopalan Product Management Consultant Alpharetta, GA
“I’m switching career paths to move into cybersecurity. Certified in
Cybersecurity is a great way to demonstrate my knowledge.” Eric Turner Cybersecurity Analyst First Merchants Bank, Daleville, IN
Become an ISC2 Candidate
You’ll access a full range of benefits as you pursue the CC, including 20% off online training and 30% - 50% off textbooks to help you prepare. Sign up now. CC Fast facts
Created in 2022
Exam available in 4 languages at 882 locations in 114 countries CCs are part of a network of over 600,000 cybersecurity professionals
ANAB/ANSI accredited
Shout-outs Certified in Cybersecurity (CC),
has won the 2023 SC Award for the Best Professional Certification CC Ranked #3 on Program in the EU/UK and USA.
‘THE NEXT — 2023 SC Awards by SC Media
BIG THING’ LIST
as the certification Ranked among the Top 75 survey respondents plan most lucrative certification . to earn in 2023. — Certification Magazine — Certification Magazine Benefits of CC certification
Respect Validate your knowledge Job offers and advancement and build credibility. Gain the solid foundation of cybersecurity knowledge employers are looking for, from an association they trust.
Pathway to cybersecurity careers
and advanced certifications Build a strong foundation for an infosec career and become familiar Growth and learning with exam formats for advanced ISC2 Develop new skills you can certifications like CISSP®. apply in day-to-day work.
Higher salaries Community of professionals
ISC2 members report 35% Access a network of peers and
higher salaries than non-members. CPE/learning opportunities. Benefits of ISC2 membership Once you earn your CC, 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 select publications including textbooks, practice
test books and study guides.
• Free access to ISC2 webinars on cybersecurity topics, tools
and trends
• 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 fo CC certification
*If you choose to renew after the first year, U.S. $50 due annually Exam overview The CC exam evaluates expertise across five security domains. (Think of domains as topics you need to master based on your professional experience and education.)
2 Exam availability: Maximum amount of Chinese, English, German and hrs. time for the exam Japanese
Testing Centers:
700 Pearson VUE Score you need out of 1,000 to pass the exam Official training Compare the CC certification training options and choose the one that’s right for you.
Learn more and register at isc2.org/cc-bundles.
1. Self-paced + exam U.S. $0 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. Exam Included. First year U.S. $50 AMF due upon passing the exam.
2. Self paced + exam + extras
U.S. $199 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. Exam included. + Bundle extras: • Two opportunities to pass the exam • Access to course content for 180-days • Pay no Annual Maintenance Fees for the first year
3. Live online + exam + extras
U.S. $804 Progress through the course domain-by-domain with content that aligns specifically to the exam outline to be easier-to-follow in live sessions led by an ISC2 Authorized Instructor. Exam included. + Bundle extras: • Two opportunities to pass the exam • Access to course content for 180-days • Pay no Annual Maintenance Fees for the first year • Learn in a live virtual classroom led by an ISC2 Authorized Instructor • Interactive peer discussions
CC 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 C Sign up now.
2 Become familiar with the topics covered in the exam
The CC exam evaluates expertise across five security domains. (Think of domains as topics you need to master based on your professional experience and education.)
• Domain 1: Security Principles
• Domain 2: Business Continuity (BC), Disaster Recovery (DR) & Incident Response Concepts • Domain 3: Access Controls Concepts • Domain 4: Network Security • Domain 5: Security Operations Pathway to certification 3 Study for the exam Many self-study resources are available from ISC2 – the creator and keeper of the CC Exam Outline – to help you prepare with confidence. Some CC 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 You have a maximum of two hours to complete the 100-item CC exam. If you’re ready for the exam, register now and get it on the calendar.
5 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.
45 CPE credits over 3 years
U.S. $50 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.
• Read a book directly related to CC 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 CC
Attend trainings and events
• ISC2 Chapter meetings • Prepare or attend an educational presentation related to the CC Exam Outline 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 exam 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.
ISC2 Certificates turn a laser focus on the subject matter. And with courseware created on the hottest topics by cybersecurity’s most respected certifying body, you’re assured the most current and relevant content.
Additional industry subject matter certificates coming soon.
Stay in front of the hottest topics and trends impacting your current role and your cybersecurity career with ISC2 Skill-Builders, created by industry experts and available now on demand. Get in touch with us For more information about CC certification and training, contact an Educatio Consultant in your region:
Europe, Middle East and Africa — Phone: +44 203 960 7800, Email: [email protected] Asia-Pacifi — 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 ffers a portfolio of credentials that are part of a holistic, pragmatic approach to security. Our association of candidates, associates and members, nearly 600,000 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 EducationTM. For more information on ISC2, visit isc2.org, follow us on X, or connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
