This intermediate cloud credential is for cybersecurity professionals working in cloud environments.
The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) is a certification for those with some experience in information technology (IT) and security who want to advance their careers in cloud-based cybersecurity. Becoming a CCSP demonstrates that you have the technical skills to secure valuable cloud assets for potential employers.
With more organizations moving their operations to cloud environments, security professionals with specialized cloud knowledge will be in demand. Data from Mordor Intelligence shows that Canada's cybersecurity market is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.99 per cent from 2024 through 2029 [1]. This growth demonstrates the need for qualified, skilled professionals.
However, a CCSP can also be used for more than cloud security. In fact, careers like cloud architect or cloud systems engineer are among Canada's highest-paying and most in-demand jobs.
Read on to learn more about CCSP requirements, what to expect from the exam, and how to prepare for certification if you decide it’s a good fit.
Becoming a CCSP means meeting a set of requirements and passing a certification exam designed to test your knowledge of cloud security topics. Here’s a quick look at the CCSP exam:
Certification | CCSP |
---|---|
Cost | $599 USD [2] |
Number of questions | 150 |
Type of questions | Multiple choice |
Time to complete | 4 hours |
Passing score | 700 out of 1,000 points |
Prerequisites | Five years of paid work experience in IT (three years must be in information security, and one year must be in one of six (ISC)² CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) domains |
Testing locations | Pearson VUE testing centers |
Available languages | English |
Average CCSP salary (CA) | $107,000 [3] |
The CCSP is for IT professionals with a few years of experience in IT and security. To qualify for the exam, you need five years of cumulative experience in IT: three years in information security and one in one of the six CCSP domains.
The six CCSP domains include:
Cloud architecture and design
Cloud data security
Cloud platform and infrastructure security
Cloud application security
Cloud security operations
Legal, risk, and compliance
Full-time, part-time, and paid or unpaid internships count toward the experience requirement. Earning the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) from the Cloud Security Alliance also counts toward one year of experience in one of the six domains.
If you have relevant IT and information security experience but haven’t yet worked with a cloud environment, earning the CCSK could be a faster option than accruing a year of experience in cloud security. The CCSK has no experience requirements.
Another option if you're starting out in cybersecurity is to consider an entry-level credential, like the IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate. You can build job-ready skills in less than eight months while earning a shareable Professional Certificate from an industry leader.
The multiple-choice exam questions cover each of the six (ISC)² CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) domains listed above. Each account for 17 per cent of your grade except cloud data security at 20 per cent, legal, risk, and compliance at 13 per cent, and cloud security operations at 16 per cent [4].
The CCSP Certification Exam Outline goes into detail about what you need to know for each domain.
The CCSP is a knowledge-based exam with a clear outline of six domains. While experience is an excellent teacher, it’s often a good idea to set aside extra time to prepare for the exam. Depending on your learning style and other obligations, you have more than one right way to prepare. Here are a few options:
Exam prep course: Several companies offer training for the CCSP. While you’ll have to figure in the extra cost, a course could be helpful for those who prefer a more structured learning environment.
Practice tests: When you take practice exams ahead of the real thing, you can identify areas where you may need to spend more time, and you can build confidence on test day by knowing what to expect. (ISC)² offers an official set of practice tests with 1,000-plus questions, an official CCSP study app, flashcards, online study groups, and more. Access these resources via the (ISC)² website [5].
Study groups: Learning with others can be a fun way to keep yourself motivated as exam day approaches. If you’re looking for fellow exam takers to form a study group, start with forums like the subreddit r/CCSP.
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you prepare:
Register for the exam to give yourself a date to work toward. Consider your other obligations and pick a date that is realistic for you.
Set aside a little time each day to study. Even 15 minutes a day can add up when you’re consistent.
You don’t get penalized for incorrect answers on the CCSP exam, so use the process of elimination and make your best guess.
You can flag questions to skip and come back to later. Remember, you have three hours to finish—that works out to nearly 90 seconds per question.
If you’re working in cybersecurity and are interested in specializing in cloud security, becoming a CCSP could be a worthwhile investment. Glassdoor reports an average salary of $101,735 in Canada for all cloud security positions with or without a CCSP certification [6].
Suppose you’re just starting in cybersecurity but might be interested in working in cloud security. In that case, the CCSP might be something to aim for as you build experience and earn more beginner-friendly credentials, like the CCSK.
As more companies work with cloud technologies, it’s common for cybersecurity professionals in various roles to need cloud security skills. Here’s a look at some of the jobs listed on LinkedIn that require or prefer a CCSP:
Product security engineer
Cybersecurity solutions architect
Application security architect
Cloud security engineer
Information security auditor
Compliance technology specialist
Information security manager
Becoming a CCSP could help you advance into a better, higher-paying job. But it could also come with other benefits.
Learn new skills: Preparing for the CCSP certification exam could double as a way to develop your vendor-neutral cloud security skills in a more structured way.
On-the-job confidence: The knowledge and skills you gain by attaining CCSP status could help you be better prepared to solve cloud security problems in the real world.
Networking: Earning the CCSP also gives you membership to (ISC)², which includes networking opportunities and professional development resources.
Suppose you have several years of experience working in cybersecurity. In that case, you may need to choose between the CCSP and the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), two reputable security certifications from (ISC)².
Which you choose depends on your experience level and career goals. The CCSP requires five years of experience, whereas the CISSP doubles that requirement to 10 years of cumulative experience. This could be a limiting factor if you’re still early in your career.
The CSSP focuses on cloud security specifically, while the CISSP covers cybersecurity topics more broadly and may be desirable for a broader range of jobs.
It’s also possible to start with the CCSP to advance your career, build experience, and later work toward the CISSP.
Curious if a job in cybersecurity could be a good fit? Experience the work of a cybersecurity analyst as you build job-ready skills with the IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate on Coursera. Learn at your own pace from top industry experts at IBM as you earn a credential for your resume.
The CCSP exam is generally considered more difficult than the CCSK but easier and less in-depth than the CISSP. Questions are all multiple-choice, and there’s no penalty for incorrect answers. With the right preparation and test strategy, it’s an attainable challenge.
The CCSP comes with a work experience requirement, so it’s not an entry-level certification. If you’re new to cybersecurity, consider starting with the IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, CompTIA Security+, GIAC Information Security Fundamentals (GISF), or the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP).
Whether the cost and time commitment involved in becoming a CCSP is worth it is an individual decision. If you’re committed to a career in cloud security or applying for a job requiring certification like the CCSP, it could be a worthwhile investment.
According to (ISC)², more than 10,000 IT professionals worldwide hold 7. The nonprofit association announced in late 2022 that it launched its One Million Certified in Cybersecurity, providing free education and entry-level cybersecurity certification examinations to encourage more people to join the ranks.
Mordor Intelligence. “Canada Cybersecurity Market Size and Share Analysis, https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/canada-cybersecurity-market.” Accessed May 10, 2024.
(ISC)2. “Exam Pricing, https://www.isc2.org/Register-for-Exam/ISC2-Exam-Pricing.” Accessed May 10, 2024.
PayScale. “(ISC)2 Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) Salary in Canada, https://www.payscale.com/research/CA/Certification=(ISC)2_Certified_Cloud_Security_Professional_(CCSP)/Salary.” Accessed May 10, 2024.
(ISC)2. “CCSP Certification Exam Outline, https://www.isc2.org/Certifications/ccsp/Certification-Exam-Outline.” Accessed May 10, 2024.
(ISC)2. “CCSP Study Tools and Resources, https://www.isc2.org/Training/Self-Study-Resources/CCSP.” Accessed May 10, 2024.
Glassdoor. “Cloud Security Salaries in Canada, https://www.glassdoor.ca/Salaries/cloud-security-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm?clickSource=searchBtn.” Accessed May 10, 2024.
(ISC)2. “More than 10,000 Cybersecurity Professionals have Earned the (ISC)2 CCSP Cloud Security Certification, https://www.isc2.org/News-and-Events/Press-Room/Posts/2021/09/13/More-than-10000-Cybersecurity-Professionals-have-Earned-the-ISC2-CCSP-Cloud-Security-Certification.” Accessed May 10, 2024.
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