Differences in Cloud Security Credentials: CCSP or CCSK
When it comes to cloud security credentials, there are two major industry standards: the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP Certification) or the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK). CCSP Certification is overseen by (ISC)2, while the CCSK is overseen by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA). Getting the right certification is an important part of finding work and advancing your career in cloud security. Each of these certifications offers different advantages, and we’ve broken them down to help you decide which one is right for you.
Certification vs Certificate
An important distinction between the two credentials is that the CCSP Certification is a certification and the CCSK is a certificate. A certification is recognition of a person’s skills, abilities, and knowledge as it pertains to a specific field. A certificate is proof that an individual has completed a specific training course. Certifications often grant the holder access to a member organization, whereas a certificate does not. Both certifications and certificates hold merit and will help you advance your career, but a certification has broader applications than a certificate.
CCSP
CCSP Certification is earned by IT and information security professionals looking to validate their experience and gain proof of their expertise and understanding of cybersecurity. CCSP training is crucial to earning your CCSP certification as candidates must have 5 years of cumulative paid work experience in IT. At least 3 years of those 5 must be in information security and at least 1 year must be in 1 or more of the 6 domains of CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK).
CCSP Certification emphasizes the skills needed to design, manage and secure data, applications and infrastructures in the cloud. These skills are sought after in multiple IT positions, such as Cloud Computing Analyst, Cloud Administrator, Cloud Architect, Cloud Engineer, Enterprise Architect, Security Administrator, Security Architect and Systems Engineer.
To become a certified cloud security professional, you must have the prerequisite experience, and pass the exam administered by (ISC)2. If you have the experience and are looking to challenge the exam, TechnoEdge’s (ISC)2 accredited CCSP exam prep course will help you maximize your performance on the exam. Earning your CCSP Certification will make you a member of (ISC)2 and give you access to exciting new job opportunities.
CCSK
THE CSA’s CCSK is based on widely-accepted security practices developed by the CSA. Professionals with a CCSK are proven to be competent in key areas of cloud security. In order to earn a CCSK, candidates must complete an exam which tests their knowledge of the CSA Guidance, the CSA Cloud Control Matrix and the ENISA report. Unlike the CCSP Certification exam, there is no experience required to take the exam.
CCSK holders can find roles similar to certified cloud security professionals. Since a CCSK requires no prior experience to obtain, it may not hold as much sway as the CCSP in a hiring situation, but it is still widely respected in the IT industry and can help demonstrate your competency. In fact, the CCSK is acknowledged by (ISC)2 as well. CCSK holders who are looking to earn the CCSP Certification can use their CCSK as a substitute for 1 year of the experience required to become a certified cloud security professional. Due to this, many IT professionals may find it helpful to earn both their CCSK and the CCSP.
Regardless of the path you take to reach your CCSP, you’ll have to take on the CCSP exam in order to earn your certification. TechnoEdge’s CCSP exam prep course will help you to demonstrate the full breadth of your knowledge on the certification exam and allow you to give your absolute best performance.