Certified Cloud Security Professional

Recommended Prerequisites: CISSP Completion 

The CCSP credential is designed for experienced information security professionals with at least five years of full-time IT experience, including three years of information security and at least one year of cloud security experience. The CCSP credential is suitable for mid-level to advanced professionals involved with IT architecture, web and cloud security engineering, information security, governance, risk and compliance, and even IT auditing.

CCSP is most appropriate for those whose day-to-day responsibilities involve procuring, securing and managing cloud environments or purchased cloud services. In other words, CCSPs are heavily involved with the cloud. Many CCSPs will be responsible for cloud security architecture, design, operations, and/or service orchestration.

Example job functions include, but are not limited to:

• Enterprise Architect
• Security Administrator
• Systems Engineer
• Security Architect
• Security Consultant
• Security Engineer
• Security Manager
• Systems Architect

Domain 1: Architectural Concepts and Design Requirements

• Understand Cloud Computing Concepts
• Describe Cloud Reference Architecture
• Understand Security Concepts Relevant to Cloud Computing
• Understand Design Principles of Secure Cloud Computing
• Identify Trusted Cloud Services

Domain 2: Cloud Data Security

• Understand Cloud Data Lifecycle (CSA Guidance)
• Design and Implement Cloud Data Storage Architectures
• Design and Apply Data Security Strategies
• Understand and Implement Data Discovery and Classification Technologies
• Design and Implement Relevant Jurisdictional Data Protections for Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
• Design and Implement Data Rights Management
• Plan and Implement Data Retention, Deletion, and Archiving Policies
• Design and Implement Auditability, Traceability and Accountability of Data Events

Domain 3: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security

• Comprehend Cloud Infrastructure Components
• Analyze Risks Associated to Cloud Infrastructure
• Design and Plan Security Controls
• Plan Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Management

Domain 4: Cloud Application Security

• Recognize the need for Training and Awareness in Application Security
• Understand Cloud Software Assurance and Validation
• Use Verified Secure Software
• Comprehend the Software Development Life-Cycle (SDLC) Process
• Apply the Secure Software Development Life-Cycle
• Comprehend the Specifics of Cloud Application Architecture
• Design Appropriate Identity and Access Management (IAM) Solutions

Domain 5: Operations

• Support the Planning Process for the Data Center Design
• Implement and Build Physical Infrastructure for Cloud Environment
• Run Physical Infrastructure for Cloud Environment
• Manage Physical Infrastructure for Cloud Environment
• Build Logical Infrastructure for Cloud Environment
• Run Logical Infrastructure for Cloud Environment
• Manage Logical Infrastructure for Cloud Environment
• Ensure Compliance with Regulations and Controls (e.g., ITIL, ISO/IEC 20000-1)
• Conduct Risk Assesment to Logical and Physical Infrastructure
• Understand the Collection, Acquisition and Preservation of Digital Evidence
• Manage Communication with Relevant Parties

Domain 6: Legal and Compliance

• Understand Legal Requirements and Unique Risks within the Cloud Environment
• Understand Privacy Issues, Including Jurisdictional Variation
• Understand Audit Process, Methodologies, and Required Adaptations for a Cloud Environment
• Understand Implications of Cloud to Enterprise Risk Management
• Understand Outsourcing and Cloud Contract Design
• Execute Vendor Management