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(ISC)² Certification
Expert Level

Certified Cloud Security Professional(CCSP)

Master advanced cloud security architecture, operations, and governance. Validate your expertise in securing cloud environments across all major platforms with the industry's premier cloud security certification.

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Personal Learning

Expert-Verified

Practice Questions

Comprehensive

Exam Coverage

Intelligent Practice Platform: Focused quizzes, live feedback, and performance insights - all powered by AI.

Zertly adapts to your progress, targeting weak spots with the right questions and crystal-clear explanations.

Exam Duration

3 hours

Exam Cost

$599 USD

Question Format

125 Questions

Prerequisites & Requirements

Professional Experience

Minimum 5 years cumulative, paid, full-time work experience in information technology.

Cloud Security Experience

3 years of the 5 years must be in information security and 1 year in cloud security.

Education Substitution

College degree or approved credentials can substitute for up to 1 year of experience.

CCSP Exam Domains

Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design

17%
Understand cloud computing concepts and architectures
Describe cloud service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
Review cloud deployment models (public, private, hybrid, community)
Analyze cloud security concepts and design principles
Evaluate cloud service provider risk assessment
Understand business requirements for cloud adoption
Assess cloud vendor management and contracts

Cloud Data Security

20%
Describe cloud data concepts and data classification
Design and implement cloud data storage architectures
Design and apply data security technologies and strategies
Implement data discovery and classification solutions
Plan and implement data retention, deletion and archiving policies
Design and implement auditability, traceability and accountability of data events
Design and implement encryption and key management
Understand data loss prevention (DLP) solutions

Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security

17%
Comprehend cloud infrastructure and platform components
Design a secure data center and physical infrastructure
Analyze risks associated with cloud infrastructure and platforms
Plan and implement security controls for cloud infrastructure
Plan and implement network segmentation and microsegmentation
Secure network communications and protocols
Plan and implement compute, storage and virtualization security
Configure security groups, NACLs and firewalls

Cloud Application Security

17%
Advocate training and awareness programs for application security
Describe the secure software development life cycle (SDLC) process
Apply the secure software development life cycle
Apply cloud software development security practices
Design appropriate identity and access management (IAM) solutions
Implement application security testing methodologies
Secure API design and implementation
Implement container and microservices security

Cloud Security Operations

16%
Build and implement physical and logical infrastructure for cloud security
Operate and maintain physical and logical infrastructure for cloud security
Implement operational controls and standards
Support digital forensics and incident response in cloud environments
Manage communication with relevant stakeholders during incidents
Operate and maintain security monitoring and logging solutions
Plan and implement backup and recovery strategies
Manage cloud security configuration and vulnerability assessments

Legal, Risk and Compliance

13%
Articulate legal requirements and unique risks within the cloud environment
Understand privacy issues and data protection regulations (GDPR, CCPA)
Understand audit process, methodologies and required adaptations for a cloud environment
Understand implications of cloud to enterprise risk management
Understand outsourcing and cloud contract design principles
Understand compliance frameworks and industry standards
Implement risk management and governance frameworks
Assess third-party risk management and vendor assessments

Key Cloud Security Concepts

Zero Trust Architecture

Security Model

Never trust, always verify approach

Identity & Access Management

IAM

User authentication and authorization

Data Loss Prevention

DLP

Prevent unauthorized data access

Cloud Security Posture Management

CSPM

Monitor cloud configuration security

Container Security

DevSecOps

Securing containerized applications

API Security

Application

Securing application interfaces

Network Segmentation

Infrastructure

Isolating network components

Encryption at Rest

Data Protection

Protecting stored data

Encryption in Transit

Data Protection

Protecting data in motion

Key Management Service

Cryptography

Managing encryption keys

Security Information and Event Management

SIEM

Centralized security monitoring

Incident Response

Operations

Security incident management

Business Continuity

Resilience

Maintaining operations during disruptions

Disaster Recovery

Resilience

Recovering from major incidents

Compliance Frameworks

Governance

Regulatory compliance standards

Risk Assessment

Risk Management

Identifying and evaluating risks

Study with Zertly

Advanced Scenario Practice

Master complex cloud security scenarios across multi-cloud environments with realistic case studies.

Domain-Specific Analytics

Track your progress across all six CCSP domains with detailed performance insights.

AI-Powered Security Coaching

Get personalized explanations for complex security concepts and remediation strategies.

Comprehensive Question Bank

Practice with hundreds of questions covering real-world cloud security challenges.

Career Benefits

Advance your career with the most respected cloud security certification.

Salary Premium

CCSP certified professionals earn 25-40% more than non-certified peers in cloud security roles.

Executive Recognition

Gain recognition as a cloud security expert and advance to leadership positions.

Global Opportunities

Access worldwide career opportunities with the industry-standard cloud security certification.

Expert Preparation Tips

Strategic preparation advice for mastering advanced cloud security concepts.

Study Resources

  • (ISC)² official CCSP study guide and practice tests
  • Hands-on experience with AWS, Azure, and GCP security services
  • Cloud security frameworks (NIST, ISO 27017/27018, CSA CCM)
  • Zertly's advanced scenario-based practice questions

Exam Day Strategies

  • Focus on vendor-neutral cloud security principles
  • Understand the shared responsibility model thoroughly
  • Master data classification and protection strategies
  • Know incident response procedures in cloud environments

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to the most common questions about the CCSP certification.

What are the prerequisites for the CCSP certification?

You need a minimum of 5 years of cumulative paid work experience in IT, with 3 years in information security and 1 year specifically in cloud security. College degrees or approved credentials can substitute for up to 1 year of experience.

How long is the CCSP certification valid?

The CCSP certification is valid for 3 years. To maintain your certification, you must earn 120 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits during the 3-year certification cycle.

What job roles benefit from CCSP certification?

CCSP is ideal for Cloud Security Engineers, Cloud Architects, Security Consultants, IT Directors, Risk Managers, and Security Auditors working with cloud environments.

How difficult is the CCSP exam?

The CCSP exam is considered advanced level with a low pass rate. It requires deep understanding of cloud security concepts, practical experience, and thorough preparation with scenario-based practice questions.

Which cloud platforms does CCSP cover?

CCSP is vendor-neutral and covers security principles applicable to all major cloud platforms including AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, and others. It focuses on universal cloud security concepts rather than platform-specific implementations.

How does Zertly help me prepare for the CCSP exam?

Zertly provides advanced scenario-based practice questions, AI-powered explanations, progress tracking across all CCSP domains, and realistic exam simulations to help you master complex cloud security concepts.

Ready to become a Certified Cloud Security Professional?

Join the elite group of cloud security professionals who've mastered advanced cloud security architecture and operations. Start your journey to CCSP certification with Zertly's comprehensive preparation platform.

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