What is CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional)?

The Certified Cloud Security Professional is a certification from (ISC)². The certification is aimed at people who work in the cloud and IT security environment. With certification, they demonstrate in-depth knowledge of cloud security of various topics. For the CCSP, proof of several years of experience in various cloud topics is required.

As the world becomes increasingly digitized and cloud-based, the need for professionals who can secure and manage cloud environments has become paramount. That’s where the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) comes in.

In this article, we’ll delve into the details of what CCSP is, what it entails, and why it matters.

What is CCSP?

CCSP stands for Certified Cloud Security Professional. It is a certification from the (ISC)² to demonstrate extensive knowledge of cloud security. It was developed jointly by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) and (ISC)². The certification covers many cloud security topics such as cloud application security or cloud platform security.

To tackle the certification, proof of several years of experience working with cloud and security topics is required. Numerous providers are represented on the market with corresponding seminars in their training portfolio to prepare for the exam.

The Certified Cloud Security Professional certification enjoys a high reputation worldwide and is recognized in the IT environment. In addition to proof of expertise and experience, (ISC)² has also defined ethical principles to be adhered to. A Certified Cloud Security Professional has the know-how and competence to securely design, manage, implement and operate data, applications, and infrastructures in the cloud. He applies the procedures and best practices defined by the (ISC)².

The CCSP certificate complements other existing certification programs such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) from the (ISC)² or the Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) certificate from the CSA. The target group of the certification is security specialists, security administrators, enterprise architects, system administrators, system engineers, or security architects working in the cloud environment.

The Importance of CCSP Certification

The CCSP certification is important for several reasons:

• Validates Cloud Security Skills and Expertise: The CCSP certification validates that an individual has the skills and expertise to design, implement, manage, and secure cloud environments. It demonstrates a deep understanding of cloud security best practices and principles.
• Global Recognition: The CCSP certification is recognized globally and demonstrates that an individual is committed to advancing their career in cloud security. Employers can trust that a CCSP certified individual has the necessary skills and knowledge to secure their cloud environments.
• Demonstrates Continuing Education and Professional Development: The CCSP certification requires continuing education to maintain the certification. This ensures that CCSP certified individuals stay up-to-date with the latest cloud security technologies and best practices.
• Career Advancement: The CCSP certification can lead to career advancement opportunities. Employers may seek CCSP certified individuals for higher-level cloud security roles or for consulting engagements.
• Competitive Edge: The CCSP certification provides a competitive edge in the job market. Employers may prefer or require CCSP certified individuals for cloud security positions over non-certified individuals.

The CCSP certification is important for validating cloud security skills and expertise, global recognition, continuing education and professional development, career advancement, and a competitive edge in the job market.

Requirements to be met for CCSP certification

For a successful CCSP certification, (ISC)² sets high requirements for the prerequisites to be met in addition to passing the exam. At least five years of practical experience in IT must be demonstrated. Three years of this in IT security and one year in one of six defined work areas.

These work areas cover topics such as cloud concepts, cloud architecture, cloud design, cloud data security, cloud infrastructure, cloud platform security, cloud application security, cloud security operations, and legal, law, risk, and compliance. Proof of practical experience may be waived for those with a valid CISSP certification. Good English language skills are another requirement for certification.

The CCSP Exam

The CCSP exam is a computer-based exam that consists of 125 multiple-choice questions. The exam is designed to test the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the six domains of cloud security:

1. Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design
2. Cloud Data Security
3. Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Security
4. Cloud Application Security
5. Cloud Security Operations
6. Legal, Risk, and Compliance

The exam is four hours long and is available in multiple languages. Candidates must achieve a minimum score of 700 out of 1,000 to pass the exam.

The CCSP exam is administered by Pearson VUE, a leading provider of computer-based testing services. Candidates can schedule their exam online or by phone through Pearson VUE. The exam fee varies by country and can be found on the (ISC)² website.

To prepare for the CCSP exam, candidates can take training courses offered by (ISC)² or other accredited training providers, review the CCSP Exam Outline and the Official (ISC)² CCSP Study Guide, and participate in online study groups or forums. It is also recommended to gain hands-on experience with cloud security technologies and practices.

Knowledge to be mastered for CCSP certification

Extensive knowledge in various cloud areas is required for CCSP certification. This includes knowledge of service models and architectures, mastery of security standards for cloud services, knowledge of legal and regulatory requirements, and knowledge of identity and access management. Other knowledge areas to be mastered include cloud data lifecycle, storage technologies, encryption, and network security, data protection, disaster recovery, and secure software development.

Certified individuals agree to adhere to the (ISC)² ethical principles. These state, among other things, to act honestly, fairly, and legally, to protect society and the common good, to protect and advance the profession, and to provide diligent and competent service to supervisors.

The CCSP Domains

1. Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design: This domain covers the fundamental concepts of cloud computing, such as service models, deployment models, and cloud architecture. It also covers design principles and considerations for implementing cloud solutions.
2. Cloud Data Security: This domain covers the protection of data in the cloud, including data classification, data governance, data retention, and data encryption. It also covers the legal and regulatory requirements related to cloud data security.
3. Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security: This domain covers the security considerations for cloud platform and infrastructure, including virtualization, network security, storage security, and identity and access management (IAM).
4. Cloud Application Security: This domain covers the security considerations for cloud applications, including secure software development practices, cloud application deployment models, and security testing and assessments.
5. Cloud Security Operations: This domain covers the day-to-day security operations for cloud environments, including monitoring, incident response, disaster recovery, and business continuity.
6. Legal, Risk, and Compliance: This domain covers the legal and regulatory requirements related to cloud security, as well as risk management and compliance considerations. It also covers the role of auditing and assessments in maintaining cloud security.

Benefits of CCSP

The benefits of CCSP certification include:

• Enhanced Career Opportunities: CCSP certification demonstrates a professional’s expertise in cloud security and is highly valued by employers. CCSP certification can help professionals gain access to more advanced cloud security roles, such as Cloud Security Architect, Cloud Security Engineer, Cloud Security Consultant, and Cloud Security Manager.
• Higher Earning Potential: CCSP certified professionals can command higher salaries than non-certified professionals in cloud security roles. According to the ISC2 Global Information Security Workforce Study, CCSP certified professionals earn an average salary of $135,086 per year.
• Global Recognition: CCSP certification is recognized worldwide, which enables certified professionals to pursue career opportunities globally.
• Proven Expertise: CCSP certification is an assurance that a professional has the necessary knowledge and skills to protect cloud environments. CCSP certified professionals are equipped with advanced cloud security knowledge and are capable of implementing best practices to keep cloud environments secure.
• Continuous Learning: CCSP certification requires continuing education, which ensures that certified professionals remain up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in cloud security. This helps professionals stay ahead of the curve and maintain a competitive edge.

CCSP certification offers enhanced career opportunities, higher earning potential, global recognition, proven expertise, and continuous learning opportunities. These benefits make CCSP certification a valuable investment for professionals seeking to advance their careers in cloud security.

CCSP vs. Other Cloud Security Certifications

CCSP is one of the most popular cloud security certifications and is highly regarded in the industry. Here is a brief comparison of CCSP with some other popular cloud security certifications:

• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) vs. AWS Certified Security – Specialty: CCSP is a vendor-neutral certification that covers cloud security best practices and principles across various cloud platforms, while AWS Certified Security – Specialty is a certification specific to Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud security.
• CCSP vs. Certified Cloud Security Engineer (CCSE): CCSE is a certification offered by Google that focuses on securing Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environments, while CCSP covers cloud security concepts and best practices across multiple cloud platforms.
• CCSP vs. Certified Cloud Security Specialist (CCSS): CCSS is a certification offered by Microsoft that focuses on securing Microsoft Azure environments, while CCSP covers cloud security concepts and best practices across multiple cloud platforms.
• CCSP vs. CompTIA Cloud+: CompTIA Cloud+ covers cloud computing concepts and best practices, but its focus is not exclusively on cloud security. CCSP, on the other hand, is a specialized certification focused on cloud security.

CCSP is a comprehensive cloud security certification that covers a wide range of cloud security topics, making it a valuable credential for professionals seeking to advance their careers in cloud security. While there are other cloud security certifications available, CCSP is widely recognized and respected in the industry.

Certification	Vendor	Focus	Scope
CCSP	(ISC)²	Cloud security best practices and principles	Vendor-neutral, covers multiple cloud platforms
AWS Certified Security – Specialty	Amazon Web Services	AWS cloud security	AWS-specific, covers only AWS cloud security
Certified Cloud Security Engineer (CCSE)	Google	Securing Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environments	GCP-specific, covers only GCP security
Certified Cloud Security Specialist (CCSS)	Microsoft	Securing Microsoft Azure environments	Azure-specific, covers only Azure security
CompTIA Cloud+	CompTIA	Cloud computing concepts and best practices	Vendor-neutral, covers cloud computing concepts and best practices but not exclusively focused on cloud security

CCSP Salary and Job Opportunities

CCSP certification can significantly increase job opportunities and earning potential for cloud security professionals. According to the (ISC)² Global Information Security Workforce Study, CCSP certified professionals earn an average salary of $141,000 per year, which is significantly higher than the average salary for information security professionals without the certification.

CCSP certification can lead to various job opportunities in the field of cloud security, including:

• Cloud Security Architect: Responsible for designing and implementing secure cloud architectures for organizations.
• Cloud Security Engineer: Responsible for implementing and managing security controls for cloud environments.
• Cloud Security Analyst: Responsible for monitoring cloud security and identifying potential security threats.
• Cloud Security Consultant: Responsible for providing guidance to organizations on how to implement and manage secure cloud environments.
• Cloud Security Manager: Responsible for managing cloud security teams and overseeing the security of cloud environments.

CCSP certification can open up a range of high-paying and challenging job opportunities in the growing field of cloud security.

CCSP Renewal

CCSP certification is valid for three years from the date of certification. To maintain the certification, CCSP holders are required to earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits and submit them to (ISC)² for approval.

CCSP holders must earn a minimum of 90 CPE credits during the three-year certification cycle. Of those 90 credits, a minimum of 30 CPE credits must be earned annually. CPE credits can be earned through a variety of activities, including attending conferences, completing training courses, publishing articles, and volunteering in the cybersecurity community.

In addition to earning CPE credits, CCSP holders must also pay an annual maintenance fee to (ISC)². The fee can be paid annually or in a lump sum for the entire three-year certification cycle.

If a CCSP holder fails to meet the CPE requirements or pay the annual maintenance fee, their certification will be suspended. If the requirements are not met within a certain timeframe, the certification will be revoked.

Overall, maintaining CCSP certification requires a commitment to ongoing education and professional development. However, the benefits of holding the certification, including increased earning potential and job opportunities, make it a worthwhile investment for cloud security professionals.

Frequent Asked Questions

What is CCSP certification?

CCSP certification is a globally recognized credential that validates the knowledge and skills of cloud security professionals. It is designed to demonstrate proficiency in cloud security best practices and principles.

Who is CCSP certification for?

CCSP certification is ideal for professionals who are responsible for managing and securing cloud environments, including security architects, engineers, analysts, consultants, and managers.

How do I become CCSP certified?

To become CCSP certified, you must have at least five years of experience in information technology, with three of those years focused on information security and one year of experience in cloud computing. You must also pass the CCSP exam.

What is the CCSP exam like?

The CCSP exam is a computer-based exam that consists of 125 multiple-choice questions. Test-takers have four hours to complete the exam.

What are the CCSP domains?

The CCSP domains are Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design; Cloud Data Security; Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security; Cloud Application Security; Cloud Security Operations; and Legal, Risk, and Compliance.

How much does CCSP certification cost?

The cost of CCSP certification varies depending on your location and whether you are a member of (ISC)². Non-members can expect to pay around $699 for the exam, while members can expect to pay around $599.

What is the passing score for the CCSP exam?

The passing score for the CCSP exam is 700 out of 1000.

How long is CCSP certification valid for?

CCSP certification is valid for three years from the date of certification.

How do I renew my CCSP certification?

To renew your CCSP certification, you must earn 90 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits during the three-year certification cycle and pay an annual maintenance fee to (ISC)².

What are the benefits of CCSP certification?

CCSP certification can increase earning potential, job opportunities, and professional credibility in the field of cloud security. It can also demonstrate a commitment to ongoing education and professional development.