About
The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification is a globally recognized credential that validates an individual’s expertise in cloud security. Designed for IT and security professionals, CCSP demonstrates advanced technical skills and knowledge required to secure critical cloud assets and infrastructures. It is an ideal certification for professionals aiming to enhance their careers in cloud-based cybersecurity.
Certification Body
The CCSP certification is offered by (ISC)², a leading global cybersecurity professional organization. (ISC)² is known for its rigorous standards and commitment to enhancing cybersecurity skills through its internationally recognized certifications.
Learning Objective
The CCSP certification equips professionals with essential cloud security knowledge, covering key areas such as:
- Cloud architecture and design principles
- Cloud data security and compliance
- Cloud platform and infrastructure security
- Cloud application security and risk management
- Cloud security operations
Legal, risk, and regulatory considerations in cloud security
Exam Information
- Certification: CCSP
- Number of Questions: 150
- Type of Questions: Multiple-choice
- Duration: 4 hours
- Passing Score: 700 out of 1,000 points
- Testing Centers: Pearson VUE locations worldwide
- Languages Available: English, Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish
Recertification
The CCSP certification is valid for three years. To maintain certification, professionals must:
- Earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits
- Pay an annual maintenance fee
- Retake the CCSP exam if necessary to stay updated with evolving security standards
Eligibility
Candidates must have a minimum of five years of cumulative work experience in IT. Out of these:
- Three years must be in information security
- One year must be in one of the six (ISC)² CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) domains
Alternatively, earning the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) from the Cloud Security Alliance can substitute for one year of required experience.
Curriculum
The CCSP certification covers six domains outlined in the (ISC)² CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK):
- Cloud Architecture & Design – Understanding cloud computing concepts, principles, and security architecture.
- Cloud Data Security – Implementing security controls for data lifecycle management in cloud environments.
- Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Security – Managing cloud infrastructure security risks and controls.
- Cloud Application Security – Securing cloud applications and software development processes.
- Cloud Security Operations – Handling incident response, monitoring, and disaster recovery in cloud environments.
- Legal, Risk, & Compliance – Ensuring regulatory compliance and managing legal risks in cloud security.
Target audiences
- The CCSP certification is ideal for professionals working in or aspiring to enter cloud security roles, including:
- Cloud Security Engineers
- Cybersecurity Architects
- Information Security Managers
- Compliance Specialists
- IT Auditors
- Cloud Infrastructure Experts