SSCP versus CCSP: Cloud security or systems security?
The SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner) and CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional) certifications focus on systems security and cloud security, respectively. Both are vendor-neutral certifications offered by the same vendor, the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, or ISC2. This nonprofit membership association is committed to developing future-ready cybersecurity professionals to help build safer, more resilient workplaces.
But which certifications are needed to build a career in systems or cloud security? Employers are looking for highly skilled employees with the talents necessary to respond to the fast-paced changes of a modern digital business with endpoints on-premises or off-premises, a dispersed workforce and a multitude of apps and connected devices.
As you start down your certification path, moving from general IT work to a more security-focused role, becoming SSCP- or CCSP-certified could open doors and benefit you professionally.
Download our emerging trend checklist to learn which certifications cover key skills like cloud, AI and more.
What should you learn next?
SSCP and CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK)
The Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) is a comprehensive framework of all relevant subjects you should be familiar with, including best security practices, skills and techniques.
The tables below demonstrate the CBKs for both SSCP and CCSP.
SSCP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK®) – Updated September 2024
Domains | Exam Percentage |
1. Security Concepts and Practices | 16% |
2. Access Controls | 15% |
3. Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis | 15% |
4. Incident Response and Recovery | 14% |
5. Cryptography | 9% |
6. Network and Communications Security | 16% |
7. Systems and Application Security | 15% |
CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK®) – Updated August 2022
Domains | Exam Percentage |
1. Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design | 17% |
2. Cloud Data Security | 20% |
3. Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security | 17% |
4. Cloud Application Security | 17% |
5. Cloud Security Operations | 16% |
6. Legal, Risk and Compliance | 13% |
What are the similarities between SSCP and CCSP?
The SSCP and CCSP certifications are hardly similar, as they discuss different security aspects — systems security and cloud security. Nevertheless, a few similarities still exist between them.
As mentioned before, both certifications are vendor-neutral and offered by the same vendor, ISC2. Some exam details are also similar, including the number of questions (125), the available amount of time to take a test (three hours) and a passing score (700 out of 1,000). Both certification exams are scheduled through the Pearson VUE Testing Center.
Two job roles are common in SSCP and CCSP: security administrator and systems engineer.
How do SSCP and CCSP differ?
The SSCP and CCSP certifications differ greatly. The following sections delve into the details.
The difference in job roles
SSCP Job Roles | CCSP Job Roles |
Network Security Engineer | Enterprise Architect |
Systems Administrator | Security Administrator |
Security Analyst | Systems Engineer |
Systems Engineer | Security Architect |
Security Consultant/Specialist | Security Consultant |
Security Administrator | Security Engineer |
Systems/Network Analyst | Security Manager |
Database Administrator | Systems Architect |
The difference in exam details
SSCP | CCSP | |
Number of questions | 125 | 125 |
Time | 3 hours | 3 hours |
Passing score | 700 out of 1,000 | 700 out of 1,000 |
Exam availability | English, Japanese, Spanish | English, Chinese, Japanese and German |
Testing center | Pearson VUE | Pearson VUE |
Exam fee | USD 249 | USD 599 |
The difference in CPE requirements and the average salary
SSCP | CCSP | |
CPE requirements | 60 CPEs | 90 CPEs |
Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF) | USD 125 | USD 125 |
Average salary (as of November 2024) | US $84k | US $123k |
For more salary information, download our Cybersecurity Salary Guide.
The difference in eligibility requirements
Before applying for the SSCP exam, a candidate must have at least one year of cumulative and paid work experience in one or more of the domains of SSCP CBK. If a student doesn't have the required experience, they may become an Associate of ISC2 after successfully passing the SSCP exam. After that, the candidate will need two years to obtain the experience required for SSCP certification.
Unlike the SSCP exam, which requires at least one year of experience, the CCSP exam needs at least five years of cumulative and paid work experience in information technology. Three of those years must be related to information security, and one year or more must be spent in one of the six domains of the CCSP CBK. If a candidate doesn't have the required experience, they can become an associate of ISC2 and spend up to six years obtaining the experience required for CCSP certification.
Benefits of being SSCP-certified
- Career advancement: The SSCP credential boosts your career in the realm of IT infrastructure security.
- Versatile skills: SSCP skills can be applied to disparate methodologies and technologies due to their vendor-neutral nature.
- Expand knowledge: An SSCP-certified employee is fully equipped with best practices, policies, and procedures for implementing, monitoring and administering an IT infrastructure.
- The community of professionals: Once you successfully pass and obtain your SSCP credential, you will be able to gain access to a global community of like-minded cybersecurity leaders.
Benefits of being CCSP-certified
- Career advancement: The CCSP demonstrates that candidates have cloud knowledge and commitment to the cloud security profession.
- Versatility: Like the SSCP, the CCSP’s vendor-neutral capability allows candidates to apply their skills across different cloud platforms.
- Expand knowledge: The CCSP credential certifies that the certification holder attains the appropriate knowledge for applying the best practices to cloud security architecture, design, operations and service orchestration.
- The community of professionals: Like the SSCP credential, CCSP also allows cloud security professionals access to a global community of like-minded cybersecurity professionals.
SSCP versus CCSP: Which certification is right for me?
The SSCP certification shows a candidate has advanced technical knowledge and skills to implement, monitor and administer an IT infrastructure employing best security practices, policies and procedures. Conversely, the CCSP credential demonstrates that the qualified person holds advanced technical knowledge and skills to design, manage and secure data, applications and infrastructures in the cloud, rather than on on-premises systems.
What should you learn next?
Obtaining one or both of these certifications depends on the job role(s) you will perform in your organization.
Each enterprise may have a varying risk tolerance that will contribute to its choice of solution: on-premises systems security or cloud security. If your job role is to ensure on-premises systems security, the SSCP certification is right for you. However, if you take responsibility for ensuring the security of cloud platforms, then the CCSP certification is right for you.
See the Cybersecurity certifications and skills roadmap ebook to learn which certifications best suit your career goals.