The ULTIMATE GUIDE

to the
Jumpstart Your IT Security Career
 ACHIEVE YOUR
SSCP CERTIFICATION
SHOW THEM YOU’RE THE IT SECURITY GO-TO

Looking to boost your career in

information security? Not sure where
to start? The SSCP certification helps
practitioners like you prove their ability to
defend against cyber attacks. Earning the
SSCP will show your employer that you
have the knowledge and skills to ensure
strong security practices are implemented
and maintained across IT operations.

The Ultimate Guide to the SSCP is a must-

have resource if you are planning to sit for
the exam – and it was developed by (ISC)²,
the creator of the SSCP Common Body of
Knowledge (CBK).

Designed with you in mind, this

guide will walk you through:

• Fast facts about SSCP

• An overview of the SSCP exam
• Benefits of becoming an SSCP
• Setting yourself up for success
• Steps to getting certified

We’re here to help you through the certification

process. Contact us with any questions.
The Ultimate Guide to the SSCP 2
 FAST FACTS ABOUT SSCP
2001 $93K

Introduced in 2001 Average SSCP Salary:

Join a network of over US$93,240
125,000 professionals – CertMag 2016 Salary Survey

One of the BEST certifications for those Listed as one of the 10

working in IT, from increased earning security certifications to
potential to staying ahead of the curve. DoD Approved boost your career.
– Dark Reading
– Site Pro News 2016

TRAINING AND EXAM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Exam availability: English, Japanese, and Brazilian Portuguese

1 Year or more
40 hrs.
Length of the typical SSCP
training course (Training can Amount of work experience you need
range from 5 days to 12 weeks to have in one of the domain areas
depending on delivery method) required for SSCP certification

A 1 year prerequisite pathway will

125
be granted if you’ve received a
Number of SSCP
degree (bachelors or masters) in a
certification exam questions
cybersecurity program

3 hrs. Amount of time allowed for taking

the SSCP certification exam
Less than 1 Year
Amount of work experience that allows

700
you to pursue the SSCP certification via
the Associate of (ISC)²
Score you need out of
1,000 to pass the exam

The Ultimate Guide to the SSCP 3

 WHAT’S COVERED
ON THE SSCP EXAM
THE TOPICS YOU’LL
NEED TO KNOW
By taking the SSCP exam, you’ll have
the chance to prove you have the
knowledge necessary to implement,
monitor and administer IT infrastructure
in accordance with information security
policies and procedures.

The exam covers 7 domain areas. Think of the domains as specific

topics you need to know based on your professional experience and
education. Some domains carry more exam weight than others.

SYSTEMS AND
APPLICATION ACCESS
SECURITY CONTROLS

12%
17% 16%
19%

15%
17%
16%
NETWORK AND
COMMUNICATIONS 20% SECURITY
SECURITY OPERATIONS AND
ADMINISTRATION
15%
9% 12%
CRYPTOGRAPHY
13%
19%
RISK IDENTIFICATION,
DOWNLOAD
THE SSCP EXAM
MONITORING
AND ANALYSIS

INCIDENT RESPONSE OUTLINE FOR A

DEEPER DIVE.
AND RECOVERY

Percentages = Weight on Exam

4
BENEFITS
TO BECOMING AN SSCP
GET CONNECTED AND KEEP YOUR KNOWLEDGE FRESH
Once you attain the SSCP certification, you become a member of (ISC)² - and
you’ll be part of a growing global community of over 125,000 cybersecurity
leaders.

You’ll also receive access to ongoing continuing education and professional

development opportunities, helping you stay ahead of industry trends and
keep your knowledge and skills current.

Benefits you’ll receive include:

Free Webinars Discounts on

• ThinkTank (ISC)² Education
• Security Briefings • (ISC)² Training
• From the Trenches • (ISC)² Textbooks
• Solutions Summit • (ISC)² Study Guides
• EMEA Secure Webinars

Networking Opportunities Industry Recognition

• (ISC)² Chapters • (ISC)² Global Awards Program
• (ISC)² Member Receptions

Discounted and Free Events InfoSecurity Professional

• (ISC)² Security Congress Magazine
- U.S., Asia-Pacific, Latin America • Free for members
• (ISC)² Secure Summits EMEA • Six digital bi-monthly issues
• (ISC)² SecureEvents
• Industry Conferences

For more information on member benefits,

visit: www.isc2.org/Benefits-of-Membership

5
SETTING YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS
GET PREPARED TO ROCK YOUR SSCP CERTIFICATION
GET FAMILIAR WITH THE EXAM. The exam outline
is a great place to start. It’s a free resource that details
the major topics and subtopics within the 7 domains
you will be tested on in the SSCP exam. Reviewing
Classroom-based Private, Onsite
this outline can help set you up for success as you
prepare for the exam.

CREATE URGENCY AND DEVELOP A PLAN.

Online Instructor-Led
Commit to an exam date early. This can help you stay
motivated and allow you to work backwards as you create
a study schedule. Stay on track and stick to a routine by BRUSH UP ON LESS FAMILIAR TOPICS. After your
blocking study time on your calendar each day. training, think about the topics that were covered
and if there were any areas where you could improve.
INVEST IN STUDY MATERIALS, STARTING WITH Refer back to your study materials and review those
THE CBK GUIDE BOOK. Take advantage of the many domains more closely as you continue to prepare.
self-study resources available. From a traditional study
guide to an on-the-go study app, (ISC)² offers several PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE! Now’s the time
options to suit your study needs. to assess your exam readiness by going through
• Official (ISC)² Guide to the SSCP CBK, 4th Edition realistic practice questions. You can find these practice
• Official (ISC)² SSCP Study Guide questions in your SSCP Study Guide, SSCP study
• Official SSCP Study App app, and other study materials. Once you’re acing the
practice exams, you should feel confident that you’re
REVIEW AND REFRESH YOUR KNOWLEDGE ready to take on the real thing!
THROUGH TRAINING. Attending a formal training
once you’ve begun studying can help reinforce the CATCH SOME ZZZS. Try to relax in the days leading
topics you’ve already explored. Choosing official up to your exam. Go to bed at a reasonable hour the
training from (ISC)² provides several benefits, like night before, and try to eat a healthy breakfast on
access to the most up-to-date content with a focus on the morning of your exam. Remember that the exam
real-world learning activities and scenarios. You’ll also could take you up to 3 hours to complete – you might
be learning from an (ISC)²-authorized instructor who want to bring along a snack, too.
is an industry expert and certified SSCP. And, with
diverse training options available - including in-person Good luck. You got this!
and online - you can pick what works best for you and
your schedule. 6
STEPS TO GETTING
CERTIFIED
1 Obtain the Required Experience
To qualify for the SSCP, you must have a minimum of one year of
cumulative work experience in one or more of the seven domains:
• Access Controls
• Security Operations and Administration
• Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis
• Incident Response and Recovery
• Cryptography
• Network and Communications Security
• Systems and Application Security

A 1 year prerequisite pathway will be granted if you’ve received a

degree (bachelors or masters) in a cybersecurity program.

Don’t have enough experience? Check out our Associate program at

www.isc2.org/Certifications/Associate.

2 Take the Exam

Candidates are given three hours to complete the 125-question
SSCP exam. Find your local Pearson VUE Test Center and register for
your exam at www.pearsonvue.com/isc2.

3 Complete the Endorsement Process

Once you successfully pass the exam, you will have nine months from
the date of the exam to complete this process.
Learn more at www.isc2.org/endorsement.

4 Maintain Your Membership

Once you are certified, you become a member of (ISC)².
Recertification is required every three years. This is accomplished
through earning Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits and
paying an Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF).

60 CPEs US$65 AMF 3 years

The Ultimate Guide to the SSCP 7

 About (ISC)²
(ISC)² is an international nonprofit membership association focused on inspiring a safe
and secure cyber world. (ISC)² offers a portfolio of credentials that are part of a holistic,
programmatic approach to security. Our membership, over 125,000 strong, is made up of
certified cyber, information, software and infrastructure security professionals who are making
a difference and helping to advance the industry.

For more information about SSCP certification and training, contact an Education Consultant
in your region:

North America: Phone: +1.866.462.4777 Email: training@isc2.org

Europe, Middle East and Africa: Phone: + 44 (0)203 300 1878 Email: info-emea@isc2.org

Latin America: Phone: +55 21 3174-4613 Email: connectlatam@isc2.org

Asia-Pacific: Hong Kong: +852.2850.6951

Japan: 81-3-5322-2837
China: 86-10-58732896
Email: isc2asia@isc2.org

The Ultimate Guide to the SSCP 8 8