The CCSP credential is one of the most advanced cloud security credentials. To become a Certified Cloud Security Professional, you must demonstrate that you have the knowledge and technical abilities to build, manage, and secure applications, infrastructure, and information on a cloud platform. You must also be ready to put in place the industry’s best practices, policies, and processes to ensure the greatest level of security feasible.
What is the CCSP Certification?
The International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2 offers the CCSP, a security certification for experienced cloud security professionals. CCSP expands as Certified Cloud Security Professional and is one of several certifications given by (ISC)2, a non-profit dedicated to cybersecurity education and certification.
Though (ISC)2 has been offering various certifications since the 1980s, the CCSP is a new certification in the market. It was introduced at the RSA Conference in 2015 and has grown in popularity since then as more companies seek to move their storage, infrastructure, and applications to the cloud in a secure manner.
CCSP Exam Details
The CCSP exam verifies that cloud security professionals possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and capabilities in cloud security design, implementation, design, operations, controls, and regulatory framework compliance.
The certificate complements and enhances existing credentials such as the ISC's Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) from CSA.
Although having prior knowledge of these credentials will help you grasp most of the information, it is not necessary, though it is undoubtedly helpful. With the best CCSP training, you will be able to apply information security experience to a cloud computing environment and exhibit competency in cloud security architecture, design, operations, and service orchestration once you have earned the CCSP credential.
After paying for the exam, you should schedule your exam when you've had 120 days of video access. The exam is challenging and will take you three hours to finish. It is available in English and contains 125 multiple-choice questions. To pass the exam, you must score at least 700 points out of 1000.
What are the Prerequisites for Taking the CCSP?
According to (ISC)2, you must have a particular degree of experience before taking the CCSP.
To begin, you must have five years of paid IT experience. Three of the five years must be spent in information security, and one year in CCSP CBK's six domains. It's also worth noting that the CCSK certificate from CSA can be used to fulfill the whole CCSP experience requirement.
If you don't have the necessary experience, you can become an Associate of the Institute (ISC)2. You must have passed the CCSP exam successfully in this situation. You will have six years to obtain the minimum five years of experience as an associate of (ISC)2. Part-time work or internships might also help you gain experience.
What Kind of Work Experience Is Required To Meet the Requirements?
You must demonstrate that you have worked in a cloud computing environment, either conducting information security-related work or work that involves the direct application of cloud security skills. Your experience must fit into one or more of the six domains listed below:
- CCSP Domain 1 – Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design
- CCSP Domain 2 – Cloud Data Security
- CCSP Domain 3 – Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Security
- CCSP Domain 4 – Cloud Application Security
- CCSP Domain 5 – Cloud Security Operations
- CCSP Domain 6 – Legal, Risk, and Compliance
It's worth noting that any full-time work experience is accumulated every month. Working at least 35 hours each week for four weeks equals one month's worth of experience. Working part-time must be at least 20 hours per week, but not more than 34 hours. Internships, both unpaid and paid, can be utilized to supplement your five years of experience.
A significant component of attaining a CCSP is identifying key information and taking precise steps to reduce or eliminate the possibility of an opponent exploiting it. To operate and maintain cloud infrastructure, you must first discover what is necessary. Your ability must extend to the definition of controls over media, hardware, and operators with access privileges. Operations also include the auditing and monitoring devices, systems, and facilities.
You must, however, produce official corporate documents demonstrating that you have interned or are currently interning for a specific amount of time. If you're interning at a university, you can approach the university registrar to get it on the letterhead.
CCSP Domains - What is Covered by the CCSP Exam?
The ISC CCSP exam is meant to assess a candidate's understanding of all aspects of cloud security. The CCSP exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions with a four-hour time limit.
A passing score requires a minimum of 70% of the possible points out of 1000. The questions in the CCSP exam are organized across six different domains with the following ratios:
Domain 1 – Architectural Concepts and Design Requirements
This area is about the fundamentals of cloud computing. Candidates must know about cloud security issues such as encrypting, information assurance, security systems, and hypervisor security through cyber security certification programs.
The security of cloud computing systems, encompassing software, architecture, and platform services, is the focus of this domain. Candidates must show that they understand cloud-based security design principles and cloud service certification systems.
Domain 2 – Cloud Data Security
It assesses a candidate's understanding of cloud-specific technological security issues. Cloud data storage architecture and security features, including encrypted communications, anonymization, tokenization, and data life cycle management.
DRM technology and the deletion, preservation, and archiving of rules are all included under this topic. It consists of all ideas, notions, protocols, and procedures used in designing, installing, monitoring, and securing cloud networks, software applications, equipment, and controls that ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Domain 3 – Cloud Platform Infrastructure Security
It addresses the virtual and physical security threats that cloud infrastructure poses. This comprises cloud infrastructure connections, virtualization substrate cybersecurity, and the implementation of audit mechanisms.
As a solution to the stated security threats, a candidate should be able to do a cloud risk assessment and develop needed security policies. This section also discusses building and executing risk management systems plans for cloud services.
Domain 4 – Cloud Application Security
This domain investigates all cloud computing application security challenges. The capacity of a candidate to comprehend the software development life cycle (SDLC), cloud software assurance, additionally the optimum mix of cloud computing technology and identity management solutions will be evaluated.
The operations domain covers issues that arise from using cloud computing services. It is targeted at network infrastructure management and security experts who work for cloud service companies.
It mainly focuses on technical challenges such as cloud infrastructure design, implementation, and management. In addition, it specifies material, equipment, and operator controls, as well as auditing and surveillance tools and facilities.
Domain 6 – Legal and Compliance
This domain tests a candidate's knowledge of the legal and regulatory issues when using cloud computing. It goes through how cloud computing influences business risk management and how cloud security protocols are audited.
It also addresses outsourcing security, cloud contract design, cloud computing supplier relations, investigative strategies, evidence gathering techniques like forensics, legal controls, other issues, and privacy concerns.
Also Read - Importance Of IT security in online business
Preparing for the CCSP Exam
Because the CCSP exam includes many topics, preparation is essential to get passing grades. Self-study, online practice tests, and in-person boot camp-style training are some of the preparation alternatives available.
If this appears too complicated, the Online Practice Exam is a better option. The Best CCSP online Practice Exam is available through KnowledgeHut's best CCSP training.
Taking this practice test gives you the advantage of having access to a CCSP domain expert throughout the process, guaranteeing that you get answers to all of your CCSP questions.
Conclusion
One of today's most advanced cloud security certifications is the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP). It is given to students who can demonstrate that they have acquired the advanced technical skills and knowledge necessary to develop, manage, and protect data, applications, and infrastructure in the cloud while adhering to industry best practices, rules, and procedures. The numerous elements an aspiring candidate needs to know before embarking on the route to becoming CCSP-certified were addressed in this article.
One of the most crucial things to remember is to have your background check completed before scheduling your exam. Remember to figure out which study approach works best for you, put out the necessary effort, pass the exam, and receive your certificate.
