Exam Details
ICS2 · CCSP
Master cloud security architecture, design, and operations with the globally recognized CCSP credential to secure enterprise cloud environments.
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Try a sample quiz for free : 10 questions, 10 mins.
Who is this for?
Level: Advanced. This elite certification focuses on the deep technical architecture and operational security of cloud environments. While anyone can sit for the exam to become an Associate of (ISC)², you must officially prove a minimum of five years of paid, full-time IT experience—including three years in information security and one year in a CCSP domain—to earn the full credential (holding a CISSP fully waives this requirement). Are you ready? You are fully prepared if you can confidently architect secure multi-cloud environments, navigate complex legal and compliance frameworks, enforce robust data protection, and expertly manage cloud security operations. Validate your elite cloud defense skills with our advanced, scenario-based practice sprints!
Overview
Ascend to the pinnacle of cloud security expertise. The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP), co-developed by (ISC)² and the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), is the industry’s premier credential for validating your advanced technical skills in designing, managing, and securing cloud data, applications, and infrastructure. In the modern 2026 IT landscape, where multi-cloud and hybrid environments dominate global enterprise operations, legacy perimeter security is obsolete. Organizations urgently demand visionary security leaders who understand the unique vulnerabilities and shared responsibility models of modern cloud ecosystems. This highly rigorous certification is meticulously designed for enterprise architects, security administrators, and systems engineers tasked with fortifying cloud architectures against sophisticated, persistent threats. The comprehensive exam evaluates your deep mastery across six critical domains: Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design; Cloud Data Security; Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security; Cloud Application Security; Cloud Security Operations; and Legal, Risk, and Compliance. By earning the CCSP, you prove to top-tier employers that you possess the elite capability to apply best practices to cloud security architecture, design, operations, and service orchestration. Certified CCSP professionals command elite compensation packages, enjoy unparalleled global job security, and hold the authority to lead mission-critical cybersecurity initiatives in the world’s most innovative and highly regulated organizations. Secure your legacy as a top-tier cloud defender.
FAQ
As of the August 2024 update, the CCSP exam now consists of 150 multiple-choice questions (increased from 125). You are given 4 hours to complete the examination. Out of these 150 items, 100 are operational (scored) and 50 are pre-test items (unscored) used for statistical purposes.
The passing score is 700 out of 1000 points. ISC2 uses a scaled scoring model, which means that the number of correct answers required to pass can vary slightly depending on the difficulty of the specific version of the exam you receive. ExamOS offers scenario-based practice quizzes that build real exam confidence and help you gauge your readiness against this high benchmark.
The exam is divided into six domains. Following the 2024 refresh, the weightings are:
Preparation should be multifaceted. Recommended resources include:
The standard exam fee is $599 USD. This fee covers a single attempt. Note that prices may vary based on your local currency and regional taxes. Retake attempts require the payment of the full registration fee again.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, you must wait 30 days before retaking the exam. If you fail a second time, the waiting period increases to 60 days. For a third failure and any subsequent attempts, you must wait 90 days. You are limited to a maximum of four attempts within a single 12-month period.
The CCSP certification is valid for three years. To maintain your status, you must:
Candidates must have at least five years of cumulative, paid work experience in information technology, with three of those years in information security and one year in one or more of the six CCSP domains.
The CCSP is the industry's premier cloud security credential. It qualifies you for senior roles such as Cloud Security Architect, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and Compliance Lead. In a market where organizations are moving to hybrid and multi-cloud environments, the CCSP proves you can manage security holistically across providers like AWS, Azure, and GCP.
Once you have mastered cloud security architecture, you might consider: