ISC2 Certifications¶
About ISC2¶
ISC2 (International Information System Security Certification Consortium) is a non-profit organization that specializes in training and certifications for cybersecurity professionals. Founded in 1989, ISC2 maintains the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK), a compendium of information security topics that serves as the basis for its certifications.
ISC2 certifications are among the most respected in the information security industry and are frequently listed as preferred or required qualifications for senior cybersecurity roles. Many ISC2 credentials are accredited under ANSI/ISO/IEC Standard 17024 and are approved by the US Department of Defense (DoD) under directive 8140/8570.
Certifications Offered¶
Entry and Associate Level¶
- Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) - Entry level credential for those beginning a cybersecurity career. Free through ISC2's One Million Certified in Cybersecurity initiative.
- SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner) - Hands-on practitioner certification covering operational security, access controls, and incident response. Requires 1 year experience.
Professional Level¶
- CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) - Flagship certification for security leaders and architects. Covers 8 domains of the CISSP CBK. Requires 5 years of cumulative paid work experience in 2 or more of the 8 domains.
- CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional) - Joint ISC2/CSA credential for cloud security professionals. Covers 6 domains of cloud security. Requires 5 years IT experience including 3 years in infosec and 1 year in cloud security.
- CSSLP (Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional) - For professionals who incorporate security throughout the software development lifecycle.
- HCISPP (HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner) - For healthcare information security professionals.
Concentration Certifications (CISSP Required)¶
- CISSP-ISSAP - Information Systems Security Architecture Professional
- CISSP-ISSEP - Information Systems Security Engineering Professional
- CISSP-ISSMP - Information Systems Security Management Professional
Certifications in This Repository¶
3 certifications in this repo. Counts and statuses are generated from docs/certs.json.
| Cert | Code | Level | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) | CC | Foundational | Ready | 5 |
| CCSP - Certified Cloud Security Professional | CCSP | Professional | Ready | 6 |
| CISSP - Certified Information Systems Security Professional | CISSP | Professional | Ready | 8 |
Certification Maintenance¶
All ISC2 certifications require: - Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF): $135 USD annually for most certifications - CPE Credits: Continuing Professional Education credits earned through approved activities - 3-year recertification cycle with specified CPE totals per certification - Ethics commitment: Adherence to the ISC2 Code of Ethics
Endorsement Process¶
After passing an ISC2 exam, candidates must complete an endorsement process within 9 months: 1. Submit an endorsement application signed by another ISC2 certified member in good standing 2. ISC2 will endorse applicants who cannot find an endorser 3. Demonstrate required work experience 4. Agree to the ISC2 Code of Ethics
Candidates who pass an exam but have not yet completed the endorsement or experience requirements become Associates of ISC2 with up to 6 years to gain the required experience (for CISSP; 5 years for CCSP).
Official Resources¶
- ISC2 Website: https://www.isc2.org
- Member Portal: https://www.isc2.org/members
- CPE Handbook: Available via the member portal
- Community: https://community.isc2.org