Navigating the world of cybersecurity? Considering the CCSP certification? This guide breaks down its worth.
Dive in to understand its global value, potential salary boost, and the difficulty of this exam.
Essentially, if you’re aiming to shine in cloud security, this guide highlights why CCSP might be your next best step.
Is CCSP worth it?
Some individuals are unsure of whether they should invest their time and money in obtaining the CCSP certification.
However, when it comes to the CCSP, you definitely should consider pursuing it!
It gives you instant credibility and lets recruiters and hiring managers know about your cloud security knowledge.
This certification offers several cloud-specific benefits, including specialized career opportunities, increased income potential, and the ability to pave way for future possibilities.
What is CCSP?
The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification was developed jointly by ISC2 and the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA).
It’s made for individuals ready to advance their cybersecurity skills in order to build and administer a secure cloud architecture.
It shows you possess the knowledge to understand the regulatory requirements, compliance needs, and the risks and vulnerabilities associated with cloud-based platforms.
What is the CCSP Certification Salary?
According to PayScale, certification holders earn an average salary of $124,000.
Let’s look at the average annual salaries of CCSP certificate holders by job:
What are the CCSP Certification Exam Requirements?
Before taking the exam, you’ll need to complete several prerequisites.
To start, you’ll need to have at least five years of IT experience, three of which must be in information security.
Additionally, one of those five years should be spent working within one of the six domains outlined below:
Already hold the CCSK certification from the CSA? You have the option to replace one year of work experience with this credential.
Do you hold the CISSP? Then you have the benefit of entirely replacing your work experience requirement.
If you’re an intern, it’s important to note that ISC2 recognizes paid or unpaid internships as valid work experience. As an applicant, you need to present documents that outline every aspect of the internship, including the role and hours spent.
Interested in pursuing a cybersecurity internship?
Visit the Official (ISC)² Experience Requirements for the latest updates.
Is CCSP Hard?
Yes, when you’re considering taking the exam, be prepared for a significant challenge. However, with enough time provided, there’s no need to rush.
Unfortunately, ISC2 removed the opportunity to mark exam questions for later review.
The test questions involve logical and practical thinking, and your expertise in the cloud security industry will be crucial on the exam.
To pass, you’ll need to maintain consistent effort in your studying and preparation.
The high standards of this exam mean that you, as a candidate, must commit to dedicated and ongoing preparation to increase your chances of success.
Are There CCSP Test Preparation Resources?
It’s essential to have the best and most important resources for preparation before you take the test.
Consistent use of these resources can better prepare you for the exam.
Here are a variety of useful self-study tools:
- CCSP Self-Paced Training Course
- Official CCSP Flash Cards
- Official CCSP Study App
- CCSP Online Study Group
- The Official ISC2 CCSP CBK Reference (Amazon) or (Wiley)
- Official ISC2 CCSP Study Guide (Amazon) or (Wiley)
Visit the Official (ISC)² Self-Study Resources for the latest updates.
CCSP training courses
You can choose between instructor-led, self-paced, or classroom-based training options, depending on the way you prefer to learn.
This resource allows you to easily communicate with instructors and other students about course content.
Visit the Official (ISC)² Training Options for the latest updates.
If you prefer video-based training, review these YouTube videos:
- How to Prepare for CCSP exam with step-by-step resources by Prabhu Nair
- CCSP Exam Cram (Full Training Course – All 6 Domains) by Inside Cloud and Security
CCSP practice questions
As you’re getting prepared for the exam, practice tests are quite helpful.
You may be interested in knowing the exam formats, how to study prior questions, and what to expect on the test.
Here are several Official ISC2 practice examinations that are available for free or for purchase:
- CCSP For Dummies (Amazon) or (Wiley)
- Official ISC2 CCSP Practice Tests (Amazon) or (Wiley)
- ITExams (Free)
- ExamTopics (Free)
Here are several other useful resources:
- Alukos CCSP Notes
- CCSP Pocket Prep
- CCSP Certified Cloud Security Professional All-in-One Exam Guide, 3rd Edition
- LinkedIn Learning
- Mike Chapple Course on Linkedln
What CCSP Jobs Do I Qualify For?
Passing the certification boosts your résumé and puts you in an excellent spot for a variety of cybersecurity jobs such as:
- Cloud Administrator
- System Administrator
- Auditor of Cloud Computing Services
- Professional Cloud Developer
- Security Manager
- Security Architect
- Cloud Engineer
- Cloud Security Analyst
Additionally, the certification is also a DoD Approved 8570 Baseline Certification.
What Does the CCSP Certification Cost?
The certified cloud security professional exam cost $499 in the United States. CCSP costs depend on the region you take the exam.
| Americas, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa | Europe, Middle East, and Africa | United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam Price | $599 | €555 | £479 |
Review the ISC2 CCSP Pricing Guide for the latest pricing information.
What About Other Certifications?
If you are unsure about which certification is best for you, you are not alone.
Certifications such as CCSK, for example, are solely concerned with cloud security, whereas CISSP, SSCP, and CISM are concerned with general IT security.
While some cover cloud security topics, they aren’t specific to cloud certification.
Looking to upgrade your career?
View our listing of cybersecurity jobs!
