The CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional) certification exam is a highly advanced cloud security certification. If you have the skills to design, manage, and secure cloud applications, data, and infrastructure using best practices, you’re the right candidate for this exam.
CCSP Exam requirements
Primarily in order for you to sit for the CCSP exam. The (ISC)² requires that you must have achieved a certain level of experience.
To qualify, you need at least five years of paid work experience in IT. Three of those years should be in information security, and one year should be in at least one of the six CCSP CBK domains. Alternatively, earning CSA’s CCSK certificate can replace the entire CCSP experience requirement.
So worry not if you do not have the required experience, there is still an option of becoming an associate of (ISC)². But make sure in this case, you must have successfully passed the CCSP examination. When you’re an associate of (ISC)², you’ll get a six-year period to gather the necessary five years of experience. This includes the option of part-time work and internships counting towards your experience requirement.
Work Experience and Skills Required
You need to demonstrate your experience in a cloud computing setting, where you’ve been involved in tasks related to information security or work that involves cloud security expertise. This experience should align with at least one of the six specified domains:
- Domain 1: Architectural Concepts & Design Requirements
- Domain 2: Cloud Data Security
- Domain 3: Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Security
- Domain 4: Cloud Application Security
- Domain 5: Operations
- Domain 6: Legal & Compliance
Keep in mind that full-time work experience is counted on a monthly basis. If you work at least 35 hours per week for four weeks, that’s considered one month of experience. For part-time work, it should be more than 20 hours but not over 34 hours per week. Internships, whether paid or unpaid, are acceptable, but you’ll need official documentation from your company to prove your internship status. If you’re interning at a school, the documentation can come from the registrar’s office.
How long does it take to prepare for the CCSP certification exam?
The time needed to get ready for the CCSP exam varies depending on how you study and your IT and security background. Some students have taken around 300 hours, while others have done it in just two weeks. So, it all depends on how much effort you invest in your studying.
There are a couple of official study methods as defined for your conveyance. They are as follows:
Classroom-Based
If you choose classroom-based study, it means you’ll attend traditional in-person classes with an instructor. This can be appealing if you’re close to a training center and can make it to the sessions. You can check out the available sessions on this link.
Online Instructor-Led
The most convenient way is online instructor-led sessions. Especially if you are limited geographically or simply prefer online study sessions. You can find online-based sessions on their official website.
Online Self-Paced
If you’re busy, studying online at your own speed could be better. The big advantage is you can control how quickly you learn. Some folks get ready quite fast, but it varies based on your style and IT knowledge. You can find info on self-paced learning on various websites.
Private On-Site
If your colleagues are keen on CCSP certification, (ISC)² offers private training at your workplace or a nearby venue. They provide study prep with an authorized instructor for 3 to 5 days. You can find details on various websites, but it’s safest to use the official site.
Furthermore, you can also access official study materials that complement your course materials. These resources include official textbooks, study guides, apps, flashcards, and practice tests.
What are the qualifications required?
The ISC2 conducts a background check on its certified members and it necessitates that you be of the highest ethical and professional caliber. To that extent, the candidates must ensure that they satisfy the following:
- Firstly you have never been convicted of a felony or a crime based on dishonesty. However, this does not, include traffic offenses that are prosecuted in juvenile court.
- Secondly, you have never been involved in or publicly identified with criminal hackers or hacking
- Thirdly, you have never been disciplined by a certification body or had your certification revoked
- Subsequently, you have never been known by many other names, aliases or pseudonyms. Note that this does not involve name changes due to marriage or adoption
Think of the things
Thus, if you do not meet the criteria set above.
In case you don’t meet the eligibility requirements for any (ISC)² certification, you might not qualify. But if you think you have a strong case, you can reach out to their official website before scheduling your exam.
Remember, if you pay for the exam before (ISC)² completes your background check and you’re found ineligible, you won’t get a refund for the payment you made.
What are the steps to become CCSP Certified?
The steps to becoming CCSP-certified are fairly straightforward. They are divided into four stages:
Ensuring the CCSP Is Right for You
So before you can embark on your journey to acquiring the CCSP, it is imperative to determine whether it is the right certification for you. Although this is often an overlooked step but is very important, especially for those who are not coming from a security background, whether or not you are coming from security. So, you need to see yourself in the next couple of years and decide whether you would want a career in security, especially cloud security.
Additionals
Also apart from the CCSP, there are more certifications following are the other certifications that you can consider: CISSP, SSCP, CAP, CSSLP, and HCISPP.
Note that we only have mentioned a few here. A little online search always works. Hence, you can find there many more certifications out there to consider.
Registering and Preparing for the CCSP Certification Exam
Signing up for the exam is easy – just make an account with the top global provider of computer-based certification and licensure exam training. You’ll discover more about testing locations, policies, and accommodations on their official websites.
We all know preparing for the exams involves choosing the right study method. There are numerous websites providing official study materials that can be used to study and prepare. Although, different study methods will work differently for everyone people. Therefore, make sure you go with what you are comfortable with.
But never forget this- It’s always about efforts and commitment. So try all it takes to take the CCSP Certification exam.
Getting a CCSP Certification Exam
So as seen above, this certification demands a couple of qualifications in terms of experience. The path to becoming an Associate of (ISC)² is also discussed, while you earn the work experience along with knowledge. However, getting certified requires that you to complete both the endorsement process and agree to the (ISC)² code of ethics.
They complete the endorsement process online. As it attests that your assertions regarding professional experience are true. So now that you are in good standing with the cybersecurity industry.
By accepting the code of ethics, you can uphold the certification you’ve recently achieved. Thus, you will be simply agreeing to:
- Initially protect society, the common good, necessary public trust and confidence, and the infrastructure
- Secondly to act honorably, honestly, justly, responsibly and legally
- Next to provide diligent and competent service
- Lastly to advance and protect the profession
Hence, take plenty of practice papers and clear your CCSP certification exam.
