CCSP vs CISSP: Understanding the Differences to Advance Your Career in Information Security
Cybersecurity
CCSP vs CISSP: Understanding the Differences to Advance Your Career in Information Security
by Burkay Kızılırmak

You know the importance of information security. You are passionate about protecting your organization, and you have the skills to do it. But there's one thing holding you back: you might not have the right certifications.

CISSP is the gold standard for information security professionals, but it' just out of reach. Maybe it's because you don't have enough time to take an all-day class or a weekend workshop, or maybe you're worried about paying for something that might not be worth it. Well, good news: we've got an easier solution that will get you on your way to earning your CISSP certification! Our CCSP course will give you everything you need to start working toward your certification—and save money in the process!

The CISSP and CCSP certifications are two of the most sought-after credentials in the information security industry and are backed by (ISC)2, the global leader in information security education and training. Get to know all the details about these certifications here!



CCSP vs CISSP: Understanding the Differences to Advance Your Career in Information Security

If you're looking to advance your career in information security, it's important to understand the differences between CCSP certification and CISSP certification.

The CISSP certification is a highly regarded credential in the field of IT security, while the (ISC)2® CCSP training course teaches in-depth information about the most important parts of cloud data security, such as how to assess risks and deal with them.

Here are the important differences between these two certifications:

  • CCSP is an entry-level certification that can be obtained with a bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
  • CISSP requires five years of full-time experience in at least two of these areas: Security administration; Risk analysis; Security architecture; Software development; Telecommunications management; Information systems audit; Information security consulting; Computer forensics; Physical security operations management; Physical security planning; Asset management planning; Information assurance (IA) policy planning; IA policy implementation / administration / assessment / evaluation.
  • The CISSP is a vendor-neutral certification that validates an individual's knowledge of the various domains of information security from Risk Management to Asset Security, Security Engineering, to Software Development Security.
  • CISSP training is a great fit for individuals who have already established themselves in their careers and are looking to enhance their skills further. Such as:
  • Security consultants/managers
  • IT directors/managers
  • Security auditors/architects
  • Security system engineers
  • CIOs
  • Network architects


Scope and Coverage: Understanding the Differences in Exam Content

In order to obtain the CISSP certification, candidates must have a minimum of five years' professional experience in two or more of the eight CISSP domains as a security analyst. If you hold a college degree and have additional approved credentials, you may be eligible for an experience waiver when applying for the CISSP certification from (ISC)2. You can also become an Associate of the (ISC)2 if you meet the experience requirement and earn the CISSP. To earn the certification, you will need to pass the exam with a minimum score of 700 out of 1000.

The CCSP certification is newer, but it may be more relevant to those who work in cloud computing. Thus, this certification is ideal for those who are new to cloud technology and looking for an opportunity to break into the industry.

Both certifications require a lot of studying and a lot of practice tests, so you'll need to do your research before choosing which one is right for you.


Eligibility Criteria: Qualifying for CCSP and CISSP Certifications

The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certifications are both highly sought-after credentials in the IT industry, but they each have their own eligibility requirements.

Earning the CISSP certification requires a security analyst to demonstrate at least five years of full-time, paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains that the certification covers.

This means that your job responsibilities should include:

  • Analyzing network, security, and systems issues and determining appropriate solutions
  • Safeguarding Data and Systems against unauthorized access, modification, or destruction through comprehensive protocols
  • Protecting against attacks on company networks, including firewalls and other types of network security measures

The path to becoming CCSP certified requires a minimum of five years of paid IT work experience. Of these five years, you must have at least three years of experience in information security and a minimum of one year in one or more of the six CCSP CBK domains:

  • System Security Engineering
  • Architecture and Design
  • Incident Response and Forensics
  • Application Development Security
  • Cryptography
  • Network Security


Career Opportunities: How CCSP and CISSP Certifications Can Boost Your Career

The CCSP certification is an important step for IT professionals who want to enter the field of cloud computing or related fields such as network security, data security, privacy, or cyber forensics. This credential demonstrates your knowledge of cloud computing architecture, principles, and practices, as well as your ability to assess threats and vulnerabilities within the cloud environment. 

In addition to demonstrating technical competency and expertise in cloud computing concepts, this certification also demonstrates leadership skills. Earning this credential requires that candidates possess strong communication skills, good organizational skills, and strong problem-solving abilities. If you've already got these traits but lack some technical knowledge or experience working with systems at scale, then this credential will help you round out those skillsets so you can hit the ground running once hired.

CISSP on the other hand, is designed for professionals who work in the fields of computer and network security, IT audit and assurance, governance, risk management, compliance, and legal. Because it's an independent certification, you can use it to prove your knowledge in those areas without having to be affiliated with a particular company or organization. This makes it great for career-changers who want to bolster their credentials, or with employers who don't require specific certifications as part of their hiring process—but want people with solid technical skills.

If you're looking for a career change or just want to make sure that you're up-to-date on the latest information security trends, the CISSP certification will give you that extra edge. It's also beneficial if you're already working in IT but don't have a formal education in computer science or other related fields.


Costs and Maintenance: Comparing the Financial Aspects of CCSP and CISSP Certifications

Both certifications are for cybersecurity, with the CISSP requiring a broader and more comprehensive understanding of further cybersecurity topics. The CISSP can eventually lead to cybersecurity professionals taking on management roles for cybersecurity programs.

The costs associated with obtaining a CCSP or CISSP may differ depending on the type of training you’re willing to choose. The cost of obtaining a CCSP certification may be significantly different from another due to differences in the length of time required to complete the coursework and exams, as well as differences in available resources such as study materials and hands-on training. For more information, you can visit Averest and learn about different payment methods that will suit you. 


Choosing the Right Certification: Factors to Consider Before Making a Decision

The CISSP requires a broader understanding of cybersecurity topics, including ethics, risk management, law, business continuity planning, and disaster recovery planning. It also requires you to have five years of professional experience in at least two of the eight domains of information security (which are: communications and network security; access control systems; database security; cryptography; operation security; physical security; software development security). This means that people who have passed the CISSP tend to have a more comprehensive understanding of overall cybersecurity issues.

On the other hand, while the CCSP covers some topics that are covered by both certifications (such as encryption), it also covers cloud computing architecture and design principles. This means that if you plan on moving into a cloud-specific role after passing the CCSP (or if your current employer offers training in this area), then it might be worth considering—since most companies use cloud computing services now. For a more comprehensive look at both certifications, you can check CCSP and CISSP pages and see information from prices to course content!


Preparing for the Exam: Tips and Resources for Success in CCSP and CISSP Certifications

The first thing to know is that there are two versions of the CISSP exam: one in English and one in other languages. If you take the CISSP exam in English, it will take 4 hours. A total of six hours are needed to complete the translations for Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.

The following are some tips to help you pass your certification exams:

  • Make sure that you are familiar with all of the concepts that relate to your exam. To prove your proficiency in the subject, it is crucial to expound on every idea with meticulous detail and substantiate it with practical scenarios.
  • Familiarize yourself with the content of the certification exam by carefully reviewing the exam syllabus. Ensure that you have a clear understanding of the topics and concepts covered before you sit for the exam. 
  • Additionally, identify areas that you need to focus on and allocate sufficient time to prepare for them! It is very important that you do not rush through this process or try to cram last minute information into your head before taking the test because this could lead to problems later on down the road if you do not know how to apply everything correctly once hired as an IT professional.

If you need more information, contact Averest and take a step toward your career today!

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Burkay Kızılırmak
An accomplished, visionary, and solution-driven sales director.