Are you interested in finding effective methods to position yourself for top-tier tech jobs? If so, you’re in the right spot. Cloud security certifications have become a vital path to stay relevant in the industry. They’re like a fresh wave with promising career opportunities. The market is filled with various cloud security courses that provide valuable certifications. However, the main question is, which IT certifications are the best to enhance your career prospects? This article aims to highlight the most valuable cloud security certifications available.
Benefits of Cloud Security:
Before you go into the area of cloud security, it’s critical to gather some strong arguments in support of the concept. As a result, before you jump the gun, we’ve compiled a list of reasons.
1. Cost Savings:
- To begin with, one of the most significant benefits of cloud security is cost savings. This makes data access simple for businesses and groups. As a consequence, corporations and organisations prefer to save time and money when starting new projects.
- Furthermore, the majority of cloud-computing services are pay-as-you-go. That is to say, if you don’t use the cloud’s features, you won’t have to spend any money on it.
- This “pay-as-you-go” approach can also apply to the storage space needed for your users and clients. When you consider all these aspects, it leads to reduced expenses and increased profits.
2. Security:
- Another important point is that numerous companies have worries about security when they consider using cloud computing. This is a common concern, and it’s understandable. This is where the cloud host becomes important. A dedicated cloud host takes care of security all the time, which is much better than a regular in-house setup. In-house setups require businesses to juggle various IT issues, with security being just one of them.
- Moreover, many businesses have experienced positive changes after moving to the cloud. Also, choosing cloud services makes it simpler to follow government rules and requirements.
3. Mobility:
- Eventually, cloud computing enables mobile access to business data via smartphones and other mobile devices. This is an excellent technique to ensure that no one is ever left in the dark.
- Staff with hectic schedules or who live a great distance from the corporate office may also take use of this function to stay in touch with clients and coworkers on the fly.
- For improved work-life balance, cloud services also provide simple access to information for sales personnel who travel, freelance employees, or remote employees.
Top Cloud Security Certifications List
As mentioned before, if you’re an information security professional seeking the best cloud security certifications, there are several choices available. So, here’s a list of the top IT certifications in cloud security.
1. Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge
Provider:
Cloud Security Alliance
Description:
The Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) is a certification program designed to help you grasp cloud security issues. This certification involves a knowledge test with three main parts: CSA guideline, CSA cloud control matrix, and ENISA report. The CCSK exam evaluates your deep understanding of cloud security, covering topics like architecture, governance, compliance, operations, encryption, virtualization, and more.
Pre-requisites:
- To begin, having strong cloud security and technical expertise is essential.
- Next, you should be capable of creating a universally applicable cloud security program.
- Lastly, having a solid understanding of cloud computing is crucial.
Exam Pattern:
- No of questions: 60
- Allocated time: 90 minutes
- Questions type: Multiple choices
- Passing score: 80%
Cost:
$ 395 USD
Must Read: How to prepare for CCSK Exam?
2. Certified Cloud Security Professional
Provider:
Cloud Security Alliance and (ISC)2
Description:
The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) exam, provided by (ISC)², is a prominent certification. This course is designed to help you counteract security risks in cloud storage. The CCSP certification goes beyond assessing theoretical security knowledge; it focuses on practical skills and experience.
Pre-requisites:
One should qualify any of the below criteria in order to pass the CCSP exam.
- To qualify, you need five years of IT work experience, including three years in information security and one year in cloud security. If you don’t meet this, you can still become an Associate of (ISC)² by passing the CCSP exam.
- Once you’re an Associate, you have six years to gain the necessary five years of experience.
Exam Pattern:
- No of questions: 125 Questions
- Allocated time: 4 hours
- Questions types: Multiple Choice
- Passing score: 700 (on a scale of 1-1000)
Cost:
$ 549 USD
Must Read: How to prepare for CCSP Exam?
3. Certified Cloud Security Specialist (CCSS)
Provider:
Global Science and Technology Forum (GSTF)
Description:
The CCSS certification is all about understanding and dealing with risks in cloud security. It teaches how to assess and analyze these risks. You’ll also learn how to handle security problems in any cloud setup, regardless of the provider. This certification enhances your understanding of cloud security by focusing on cloud architecture principles.
Pre-requisites:
- Firstly, certification of GSTF Certified Cloud Computing Associate (CCCA)
- In addition, certification of GSTF Certified Cloud Computing Specialist (CCCS)
- Moreover, an advanced certification of EXIN Cloud Technologies
Exam Pattern:
Component 1: Written Examination (MCQ)
- No of Questions: 30 Questions
- Allocated time: 45 Minutes
- Pattern: Closed Book and Multiple Choice
Component 2: Project Work Component (PWC)
- Type: Individual project
- Allocated time: 2 weeks from the course completion date
- Passing score: 65%
4. Professional Cloud Security Manager
Provider:
Cloud Credential Council
Description:
The Professional Cloud Security Manager certification helps IT Professionals handle security and compliance in cloud environments. It’s focused on both technical and business aspects within a company’s cloud setup. This certification teaches how to secure various cloud services and deployment methods.
Pre-requisites:
- Firstly, at least five years of experience in enterprise security.
- Subsequently, in-depth knowledge of cloud computing services along with deployment models.
Exam Pattern:
- No of Questions: 40 Questions
- Allocated time: 60 Minutes
- Exam Pattern: Multiple choices
Cost:
$ 305 USD
5. Certified Integrator Secure Cloud Services
Provider:
EXIN
Description:
Certified Integrator Secure Cloud Services is basically the blend of three major foundation certificates:
- IT service management
- Information security
- Cloud computing
Pre-requisites:
Foundational certificates
Exam Pattern:
- No of Questions: 40 Questions
- Allocated time: 60 Minutes
- Pattern: Multiple choices
Cost:
Free
6. CompTIA Cloud+
Provider:
CompTIA
Description:
The CompTIA Cloud+ certification confirms a person’s skills in handling cloud technologies. It’s designed for IT professionals and covers knowledge about cloud models, infrastructure, virtualization, managing resources, and ensuring business continuity.
Pre-requisites:
- Firstly, it is recommended to have 24-36 months of experience in IT networking or IT data center administration.
- Additionally, thorough knowledge of any major hypervisor technologies for server virtualization.
Exam Pattern:
- No of Questions: 90 questions
- Allocated time: 90 Minutes
- Pattern: Multiple Choice and Multi-Response Questions
- Passing score: 750 (on a scale of 100-900)
Cost:
$329 USD
7. AWS Certified Security
Provider:
Amazon
Description:
To pass the AWS Security Specialty certification exam, you need to know how AWS Security services work and how to use them to create a safe environment. This exam is for Security Professionals who want to improve their abilities in designing and setting up security measures to protect the AWS platform.
Pre-requisites:
- Firstly, at least two years of hands-on experience in securing AWS workloads.
- In addition, 5 years of experience in IT security for designing and implementing security solutions.
- Moreover, a good understanding of data encryption methods secured internet protocols and AWS mechanisms for implementing them.
- Further, working knowledge of security services of AWS, specialized data classification and mechanism of AWS data protection.
Exam Pattern:
- No of Questions: 65 Questions
- Allocated time: 170 minutes
- Pattern: Multiple Choice and Multi-Response Questions
- Passing score: 75%-80%
Cost:
$300 USD
8. AWS Certified Solutions Associate
Provider:
Amazon
Description:
The AWS Certified Solutions Associate exam teaches you about cloud architecture basics. These basics are important for creating and using strong and reliable business solutions on the cloud. This certification helps you learn, show, and prove your skills in architecture.
Pre-requisites:
- Firstly, an experience of 1 or more years in designing a system on AWS.
- Secondly, advanced level knowledge in at least one programming language.
- Thirdly, the ability to define best practices for AWS applications.
Exam Pattern:
- No of Questions: 60-70 Questions
- Allocated time: 130 minutes
- Pattern: Multiple Choice and Multi-Response Questions
- Passing score: 70-75%
Cost:
$150 USD
Must Read: How to prepare for AWS Certified Solution Architect Associate Exam?
Expert’s Corner
In summary, it’s clear that cloud computing and certifications have become more important recently. Getting certified in cloud security shows your advanced skills in cloud computing. When selecting a certification, some IT professionals opt for multiple certifications, while others focus on just one or two. The decision depends on personal preference. Regardless of your choice, the information above will guide you toward your next cloud security certification journey.
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