If you want to create a good level of proficiency in the fundamental concepts of auditing cloud computing systems then the Certificate of Cloud Auditing Knowledge (CCAK) is the credential that will help you showcase these skills. CCAK certificate and training program cover the lack of technical knowledge for cloud IT auditing.
This certification combines the conventional audit experience of ISACA with the cloud knowledge of CSA. As it expands on the body of knowledge provided in CSA’s Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) and complements ISACA’s ANSI-accredited certifications like CISA, CISM, CRISC, and CGEIT, CCAK is beneficial to both CSA and ISACA members and certification holders.
But, what are the things that will help in CCAK exam preparation? In order to know about the methods and resources to have good exam preparation, let’s begin with our study guide!
Steps to pass the Cloud Auditing Knowledge (CCAK) Exam
You can gain a comprehensive grasp of the kinds of cloud services and deployment tactics that would be most advantageous for your company through cloud auditing. With the help of CCAK, IT professionals are better equipped to handle the special problems associated with auditing the cloud, guaranteeing the proper safeguards for privacy, integrity, and accessibility, and reducing the risks and expenses associated with audit management and non-compliance. The CCAK credential is best offered by ISACA and CSA because:
- Complements the ANSI-accredited CISA, CISM, CRISC, and CGEIT certifications offered by ISACA.
- Includes qualifications for the FedRAMP 3PAO Assessor, PCI-DSS Qualified Security Assessor, and ISO 27001 Leader Auditor.
- Utilizes the traditional audit skills of ISACA with the cloud experience of CSA.
- Focuses on solving special problems including those related to technology stacks, deployment frameworks, DevOps, CI/CD, etc.
- Complements and expands upon the information contained in the CSA Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK).
Let’s begin!
#1. Understanding the basics of the CCAK Exam
The Certificate of Cloud Auditing Knowledge (CCAK) exam is a certification exam offered by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) that tests the knowledge and skills of professionals in cloud auditing, governance, risk management, compliance, and assurance.
The Certified Information Systems Auditor® (CISA®) certification is one example of a qualification that the CCAK enhances and expands upon. The CCAK is an essential addition to the certificate, demonstrating proficiency in a rapidly expanding field of technology that will continue to be used widely.
The CCAK exam comprises 76 multiple-choice questions and is proctored online. 70% is the required score to pass the test. the test is two hours long and administered in English (120 minutes). The CCAK test costs $495 for non-members and $395 for members.
Target Audience:
The Certificate of Cloud Auditing Knowledge (CCAK) certification is designed for professionals who have a role in auditing cloud environments or who work in related areas such as governance, risk management, compliance, and assurance. The target audience for CCAK includes:
- Cloud Auditors and Consultants:
- Individuals who are responsible for conducting cloud audits, identifying security risks, and providing recommendations for remediation.
- Individuals who advise organizations on cloud risk management, governance, compliance, and assurance.
- Compliance and Assurance Professionals:
- Individuals who are responsible for ensuring that cloud service providers meet regulatory and compliance requirements.
- Individuals who provide assurance to organizations that their cloud environments are secure and meet compliance standards.
- IT Security Professionals:
- Individuals who are responsible for ensuring that cloud environments are secure and meet internal and external security standards.
- Individuals who design and implement security controls and policies for cloud environments.
- Governance and Risk Management Professionals:
- Individuals who are responsible for managing risk in cloud environments and ensuring that governance policies are followed.
- Individuals who advise organizations on cloud governance and risk management best practices.
- Cloud Service Providers and Vendors:
- Individuals who are responsible for ensuring that cloud services are secure and meet regulatory and compliance requirements.
- Individuals who provide cloud services to organizations and need to demonstrate compliance with industry standards and regulations.
#2. Discover what CCAK Exams expect from you
The CCAK exam has no prerequisites, although passing it requires prior knowledge of IT audit, security, risk, or cloud computing. Furthermore, it is advised that you comprehend fundamental cloud principles, such as:
- Comparing and contrasting cloud environments with traditional IT services and infrastructure.
- Assessing a cloud service’s security using methodologies and tools both before and during the service’s delivery.
- How the entrance of the cloud into the ecosystem affects the current governance frameworks and rules.
- Due to shared duty between cloud providers and clients, the cloud has certain compliance requirements.
- How to utilize a framework for cloud-specific security measures to make sure your company is secure.
- Measuring control effectiveness using metrics eventually results in ongoing observation.
#3. Get familiar with Exam Domains
The goal of CCAK is to provide a uniform understanding of cloud audits. Control goals are satisfied in a totally different way when auditing a cloud-based company. However, there are test domains that will assist cover every aspect of auditing for the CCAK exam and provide more clarity.
- Cloud Governance (18%)
- Cloud Compliance Program(21%)
- CCM and CAIQ: Goals, Objectives, and Structure (12%)
- A Threat Analysis Methodology for Cloud Using CCM (5%)
- Evaluating a Cloud Compliance Program (9%)
- Cloud Auditing (15%)
- CCM: Auditing Controls(8%)
- Continuous Assurance and Compliance (7%)
- STAR Program (5%)
Check the complete outline here!
#4. Use CCAK Official Study Guide
For professionals trying to pass the CCAK test, the Certificate of Cloud Auditing Knowledge (CCAK) Study Guide is a useful tool. It helps people in gaining a fundamental understanding of cloud governance, compliance, security, and auditing. The guide, which has been created with the help of the Cloud Audit Expert group, gives insight into the information contained in the CCAK and reinforces it with a mix of fundamental ideas and terminology, focused examples, and best practices.
The guide contains chapters on cloud governance, cloud compliance initiatives, cloud auditing, continuous assurance, and compliance, as well as a glossary of essential words and the Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM) and Consensus Assessments Initiative Questionnaire (CAIQ) from the CSA. Additional chapters discuss cloud compliance program evaluation, CCM threat analysis methodology, and CCM auditing requirements.
#5. Gain Practical Experience
- Work with cloud technologies and auditing cloud environments:
- Gain experience in cloud technologies, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
- Practice auditing cloud environments to identify security risks and compliance issues.
- Attend conferences and webinars to learn about new cloud technologies and trends.
- Participate in hands-on training exercises and case studies:
- Enroll in training programs and workshops that focus on cloud auditing principles and methodologies.
- Participate in hands-on exercises that simulate real-world auditing scenarios.
- Participate in case studies that challenge you to apply cloud auditing principles to practical situations.
- Apply cloud auditing principles and methodologies in a practical setting:
- Seek out opportunities to audit cloud environments in a real-world setting, such as through internships or consulting projects.
- Apply the principles and methodologies learned in your training and practice to identify security risks, compliance issues, and best practices.
- Collaborate with other professionals in the field to gain insights and experience.
- Additional tips:
- Stay current with industry news and updates to stay on top of emerging trends and technologies.
- Join cloud auditing communities and networks to stay connected with other professionals in the field.
- Participate in hackathons or other events that challenge you to apply cloud auditing principles in new and creative ways.
#6. Explore the CCAK Training
You will have the chance to learn the CCAK topic in a suggested framework through the CCAK Training Program. The CCAK training will not only make sure that you get the information, but it will also provide you the chance to ask clarifying questions and gain a deeper grasp of it.
These instructor-led choices allow you to ask clarifying questions and take advantage of their expertise to gain a better understanding of the subject matter.
A virtual instructor-led program and an online self-paced program are the two ways to finish the training course.
Online Self-paced course:
The Cloud Security Alliance, a pioneer in cloud security best practices, and ISACA, a global professional organization specializing in IT audit, security, cybersecurity, privacy, risk, and governance, collaborated to create the CCAK online review course. This self-paced course offers knowledge-based questions and interactive images that enable students to:
- Stick to a suggested framework when preparing for exams.
- revisit particular topics for more research.
- The course can start and stop as required, and students can resume where they left off.
- Test their comprehension of the subjects by using crossword puzzles, memory games, and flash cards.
Virtual instructor-led course:
The intense course offered by the instructor-led program enables students to:
- Engage in conversation with the teacher and pose the most important inquiries.
- Work through practice test questions with other test takers.
- As you get ready for test day, learn the solutions that increase your confidence.
#7. Explore Question and Answer Collection
With the help of more than 200 example questions, improve your CCAK test preparation. The exam questions that will be asked are most closely resembled by this selection. Learners can examine the questions and answers by domain using this 12-month subscription to the ISACA Perform Platform, enabling focused study in certain areas. Each answer option in every question-and-answer set is briefly explained, enabling students to fully comprehend the justification for both the correct and erroneous answers.
#8. Use Additional Practice Tests
It’s important to remember that the test will cover a range of topics. Thus, before the exam, you should get as much experience as you can. The most efficient way to do this is to take practice exams. By completing the CCAK Exam, you will be able to better understand your study plan and be prepared for the real thing. By evaluating your weak areas, you may work to strengthen them. You’ll be able to manage your time more effectively if you can comprehend the test’s question format and develop your answer abilities.
#9. Take the exam
Registration for the CCAK certificate test can be made online at any time after you are completely read, studied, practiced, and prepared. With remote proctoring, you may take CCAK online from the convenience of your home. Note: Depending on demand, certain areas will provide in-person testing.
Using your login ID, register to take the CCAK test on ISACA.org. When you pay your exam cost, the timer begins to run. You have 365 days to arrange for the test and take it there or remotely with proctoring.
When you register, you will get an email with information on how to choose any available date and time throughout your 365-day eligibility period for your online, remotely proctored test.
Study Plan Tips:
- Identify your areas of strength and weakness:
- Review the CCAK exam outline and the Body of Knowledge (BoK) to identify areas you feel comfortable with and those that you need to improve.
- Take a practice exam to assess your knowledge and identify any knowledge gaps.
- Allocate time for study and practice exams:
- Create a study schedule that covers all exam topics, allocating more time for topics you need to improve on.
- Ensure you have enough time to study, practice exams, and review exam materials before the exam date.
- Break up your study time into manageable chunks, and take breaks regularly to avoid burnout.
- Utilize resources such as study guides, practice exams, and online courses:
- Use study guides to familiarize yourself with the exam topics and principles.
- Take practice exams to simulate the actual exam and measure your progress.
- Enroll in online courses to deepen your understanding of cloud auditing principles and methodologies.
- Additional tips:
- Join study groups or forums to discuss exam topics and share tips and study strategies.
- Create flashcards to help you remember key concepts and definitions.
- Take advantage of any study materials or resources provided by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA).
- Set achievable goals and track your progress to stay motivated.
Final Words
With the help of CCAK, IT professionals can better handle the special problems associated with auditing the cloud, guaranteeing the proper safeguards for privacy, integrity, and accessibility, and reducing the risks and expenses associated with audit management and non-compliance. This exam will help you gain skills to:
- Recognize the differences between examining and auditing traditional IT infrastructure and services vs cloud settings.
- Learn how to examine a cloud service before and throughout the deployment of the service using cloud security assessment methods and procedures.
- Find out how the entry of the cloud into the ecosystem affects current governance frameworks and regulations.
- Recognize how the joint obligation between cloud providers and clients has certain compliance needs.
- To secure security within your business, learn how to apply a framework for security controls that are particular to the cloud.
- Architect your system in a way that enables metrics-based evaluation of control performance and eventually facilitates continuous monitoring.
You must thus concentrate on all of the essential areas in order to improve your preparation. Put your all-out effort into the tests if you want to do well. You can plan your study sessions, understand test formats, and ace the test by using the knowledge from above.
