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Both the CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional) and CCSK (Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge) are individual certifications of cloud security competence. But what is the difference between these two certifications?
Based on my experience, I will explain what makes CCSP different from CCSK.
CCSK versus CCSP explained in 1:22 minutes
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What is CCSK?
CCSK is often called the “mother of all cloud security certifications”. This is related to the fact that it tests for the Cloud Security Alliance’s “Cloud Security Guidance”, and has been around since 2010.
All other cloud security certifications acknowledge this body of knowledge.
In the fall of 2017, this was significantly updated to version 4. CCSK has followed this version early 2018.
Read more about CCSK: Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge.
What is CCSP?
In 2015 the Cloud Security Alliance and (ISC)2 announced a new cloud security certification: Certified Cloud Security Professional or CCSP for short.
This is a more extensive certification than CCSK with a more formal exam and a requirement for 5 years in IT; at least three of which must have been spent in security, and at least one year in cloud computing.
(ISC)2 used to state on their website: “The typical cloud security professional will likely achieve the CCSK first, and then the CCSP credential. Attainment of the CCSK also can be substituted for the one year of cloud security experience”
That statement has since been removed, though the substitution rule still applies.
Learn more about CCSP, the exam and how to get your certification.
CCSK vs CCSP
If you want to choose between CCSK and CCSP, here are some considerations.
- What is your (prospective) employer looking for? Are they familiar with the certifications?
- CCSK is currently more practical than CCSP.
- CCSK is less work and actually a good start towards CCSP.
Details | CCSK | CCSP |
---|---|---|
Full name | Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge | Certified Cloud Security Professional |
Organized by | Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) | (ISC)2 in collaboration with the CSA |
Body of knowledge | CSA Guidance, 14 domains ranging from concepts, technology, compliance, governance.
ENISA recommendations. Cloud Controls Matrix |
Official (ISC)2 CBK. Wider than CCSK, roughly twice the size
|
Current version | 4 | 3rd edition |
Exp. requirements | none | 5 years in IT, of which 3 in IT security and 1 in a cloud domain. CCSK and CISSP substitute part or all of this. |
Cost | $395 exam cost | $549 exam cost |
Maintenance requirements | None | $100/year, 90 CPE/3 year |
Exam format | Online, unproctored, 2 attempts, open book | Exam center, 1 attempt, closed book |
Exam length | 60 multiple choice questions, 90 minutes |
125 multiple choice questions, 4 hours |
Pass requirements | 80% of questions correct | 700 out of 1000 points |
Market value | CCSK is the industry’s first cloud security certification | (ISC)2 positions this as the cloud sister of CISSP |
Estimated # holders | Thousands | Thousands |
Want to know more about CCSP vs CCSK? Get the 101!
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I have based the above analysis on my multiple years of experience in cloud training. I am an official trainer for both CCSK (since 2011) and CCSP (since 2015), and have actually contributed to both of them.