ISC2 CCSP

CCSP certification cost and requirements (2024): Your complete preparation guide

Cloud-based operations have taken the business world by storm due to their flexibility, cost savings and ability to unite employees across geographical locations. It’s no surprise, then, that securing cloud environments has become a central element of cybersecurity. The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification is one of the most respected credentials in the world for those protecting cloud assets and workloads. 

When you become a CCSP, you verify that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to protect cloud environments from attackers. In this CCSP exam overview, we delve into CCSP certification costs, CCSP requirements and tips on how to prepare to take the exam. 

Earn your CCSP, guaranteed!

Save your spot for an upcoming CCSP Boot Camp and earn one of the most in-demand cloud security certifications — guaranteed!

Learn More

Understanding CCSP certification 

The International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) develops the CCSP certification to validate a candidate’s knowledge and abilities when it comes to protecting cloud environments. The exam covers a comprehensive range of cloud security concepts using six domains: 

• Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design 
• Cloud Data Security 
• Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Security 
• Cloud Application Security 
• Cloud Security Operations 
• Legal, Risk and Compliance 

For cybersecurity professionals specializing in cloud security, the CCSP certification provides evidence of how they think and work through security challenges in cloud environments. By holding this certification, not only can you defend an organization you work for, but you can secure a position as a consultant or even an auditor who evaluates the effectiveness of cloud security solutions. 

The ISC2 specializes in developing and updating cybersecurity certifications. The organization has cemented itself as a mainstay in the security sector, which further compliments the credibility of the CCSP certification. 

Prerequisites for CCSP certification 

To qualify for your CCSP certification, you must have at least five years of cumulative, paid experience in the IT sector, with at least three years of experience in information security. In addition, you need to have worked for at least one year in one or more of the six domains covered by the CCSP. 

If you earn a Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) certification from the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), you can use that to substitute for one year of experience in one of the six CCSP domains. 

Another way to fulfill the requirement is to earn your CISSP, which is enough to cover all the required experience. 

The CCSP certification is one of the most popular certifications for cloud security engineers. 

If you pass the exam but haven’t yet fulfilled the experience requirements, you can still earn the title of Associate of ISC2. Then you didn’t have six years to earn the five years of experience. 

Although anyone with the knowledge and skills can pass the CCSP exam, it isn’t designed for those new to cloud security. To increase your chances of success, you want to know each of the six domains. You can obtain proficiency using self-study, work experience, practice exams, training courses, study guides and practice exams. 

Meeting the requirements can pave a smooth path for your cloud security career, particularly because the six domains cover every major discipline involved in protecting cloud systems. Employers, knowing this, may be far more likely to hire someone with a certification than another candidate with an otherwise similar body of experience. 

People commonly ask: 

• What is the prerequisite for CCSP? As outlined above, you need five years of experience in IT, with at least three years in information security and one year in one or more of the six domains covered by the CCSP. 
• How do I get CCSP certified? You earn your CCSP certification after fulfilling the experiential requirements and passing the CCSP exam. 

Breakdown of CCSP certification costs 

Here’s a breakdown of the costs associated with CCSP certification: 

• Exam fees: $599 
• Study materials: The cost of your materials will vary depending on what you purchase, but it can range from free to a few hundred dollars if you buy multiple prep books online. 
• Preparatory course fees: These fees also vary by the course provider and the depth of the course you take. Live certification training boot camps taught by an expert instructor may cost several thousand dollars. 
• Membership costs: After you’ve earned your CCSP, you must pay an annual membership fee (AMF) of $135. If you’ve passed the exam but only have the title of Associate of ISC2, your AMF is $50. 
• Recertification costs: To get recertified, you need to earn at least 90 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits over three years, so your costs will vary depending on how you earn these credits. For example, you can author or co-author a book and earn credits — which would be free — or you could take a paid course. 

Preparing for the CCSP exam 

Even if you have extensive experience in safeguarding cloud environments, you’ll still want to prepare for the exam. Check out our CCSP certification hub to make sure you’re familiar with what’s on the exam and have access to reliable preparation resources. Here are some other suggestions to help you get started on your prep plan: 

• Use written training materials. These may be created by ISC2 or other certification training experts to help you review all the material covered in the current domains. 
• Use practice exams. By taking practice tests, you review the knowledge necessary for the actual exam and gain exposure to the types of questions you may face. 
• Use online study and preparation resources. There are several free online resources, such as Reddit and YouTube, that you can use to get tips and connect with people who are taking or have already passed the exam. 
• Take advantage of formal, in-depth prep courses, such as a CCSP Certification Boot Camp. 

Perhaps the only thing more useful than cloud security knowledge when getting ready for the exam is discipline. It’s crucial to establish a schedule that involves a certain amount of study several times a week. This can be challenging for professionals who already have packed schedules, so it’s important to sit down with others in your household — or even friends — and let them know you’ll be dedicating significant time to getting ready for this important test. 

Earn your CCSP, guaranteed!

Save your spot for an upcoming CCSP Boot Camp and earn one of the most in-demand cloud security certifications — guaranteed!

Learn More

You also want to customize your preparation to your specific learning needs and style. For example, some benefit from an extensive review of concepts they already know in addition to honing up on the things they’re less familiar with. On the other hand, for some learners, it’s better to hyper-focus on their weak areas first and then lightly review their strengths later. 

Regardless of how you approach learning new material, you’ll want to weave several practice sessions into your prep routine. It’s best to do this periodically, such as once every week or two, so you can use your performance as feedback to help you choose which topics to study in your next couple of sessions. 

Value of CCSP certification in 2024 

The value of CCSP certification continues to appreciate as more and more companies start relying on the cloud for business-critical functions — and need a secure environment to do so. As a result, after you earn your CCSP certification, you may benefit from: 

• A broader range of job prospects. By getting your CCSP certification, you send a message to employers that you have the skills needed to provide cloud security and the documentation to prove it. 
• Higher potential salaries. When you give employers more confidence regarding what you can do, they may feel more comfortable increasing your pay. 
• Deeper professional development. The process of getting ready for the exam is a great way to ensure you’re keeping up with the latest techniques used to defend cloud processes. 

While it’s hard to find a business sector that wouldn’t benefit from highly skilled cloud security professionals, some have a particularly strong need for CCSP-certified employees, such as: 

• Banks and other financial institutions, which may store sensitive customer data in cloud environments 
• Hospitals and businesses in the healthcare industry must conform to government regulations regarding personally identifiable information that they may store or process using the cloud 
• Government agencies often need cloud-based applications for their remote workers or those who must work in the field 

By demonstrating your cloud security expertise, you become a candidate who these and other organizations can trust to protect their infrastructures. 

CCSP vs other cloud security certifications 

The CCSP certification isn’t your only option if you want to prove your cloud security skills, and some other choices may be worth considering, especially when considering their experiential requirements and costs. 

Note: Download our Emerging trend checklist for an overview of popular cloud certifications. 

• CompTIA Cloud+ certification: The experience recommendations include two to three years of work experience in related IT fields. The cost is a little less as well, coming in at $369. However, the impact on your cloud security career may not be as significant as what you would experience with the CCSP. Cloud+ is more focused on cloud infrastructure and how to deploy and maintain it. 
• AWS Certified Security – Specialty certification: Five years of IT security work is recommended for exam takers, including two years of experience securing workloads in the AWS environment. The cost is $300. If your goal is to work in the AWS ecosystem, this certification can have a significantly positive effect on your career trajectory because it’s designed for that environment. 
• Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) certification: Familiarity with Azure and its security, as well as IT security experience is recommended. It comes with a lower price tag of $165. Getting your AZ-500 can give your career a nice push in the right direction if your goal is to focus on Microsoft Azure environments. 

The other certification options above have a narrower focus. A more specific focus could help or hinder your career, depending on whether you want to commit to securing the cloud on specific platforms, such as AWS or Azure, or want to certify general cloud security skills. It’s also important to note that depending on how you train, the cost of your exam may be covered. For example, Infosec Boot Camps include an exam voucher and an Exam Pass Guarantee. 

Some of the job roles you can qualify for after earning one of these certifications include security architect, consultant, security engineer or IT auditor. You can also be a great fit for higher-level roles, including security or systems engineering. 

Prepare for the CCSP certification exam 

By understanding the costs and requirements for the CCSP certification, you take the first step in getting ready to take the exam and earn your credential. If you don’t yet have the necessary experience but have enough knowledge, you could take the exam and earn your Associate of ICS2. Then, you can fulfill the rest of the experience requirements over the next few years. Regardless of the path you choose, by earning your cert, you position yourself for a significant career boost because many employers trust the high standards of the ICS2 and the CCSP test. 

When deciding whether to pursue your certification, consider the long-term value of CCSP certification in advancing your cloud security career. 

Earn your CCSP, guaranteed!

Save your spot for an upcoming CCSP Boot Camp and earn one of the most in-demand cloud security certifications — guaranteed!

Learn More

CCSP FAQs 

What are the work experience requirements for CCSP, and how can professionals meet them? 

To qualify for your CCSP cert, you need to have at least five years of cumulative, paid experience in the IT sector. Also, at least three years have to have been in information security. In addition, you need to have worked for at least one year in one or more of the six domains covered by the CCSP. 

How does CCSP certification compare to other cybersecurity certifications in terms of ROI? 

Your CCSP certification compares as well with other cybersecurity credentials because it covers such a broad range of cloud security topics. This makes it a good fit for those who want to secure cloud workloads on various platforms. Read our CCSP salary article for more information. 

Can professionals without direct cloud security experience qualify for the CCSP certification? 

Yes, you can qualify for your CCSP certification even if you don’t have direct cloud security experience. For example, you could have five years of experience working in the IT sector. Three of those years could have involved securing on-premises networks, and your one year working within a CCSP domain could have been in the legal, risk and compliance arena.