Systems Security Certified Practitioner of (ISC)²
Posted on May 31, 2023 • 2 minutes • 396 words
Table of contents
International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium - (ISC)²
(ISC)² is an international certification association for information security professionals founded in 1989. Its main certifications include SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner) and CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional.) You can access (ISC)² Official Website for more information.
SSCP of (ISC)²
According to the official webpage of the certification, “SSCP is ideal for IT administrators, managers, directors and network security professionals responsible for the hands-on operational security of their organization’s critical assets, including those in the following positions:”
- Network Security Engineer
- Systems Administrator
- Security Analyst
- Systems Engineer
- Security Consultant/Specialist
- Security Administrator
- Systems/Network Analyst
- Database Administrator
It is also mentioned that SSCP meets “the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 8570.1”.
Systems Security Certified Practitioner covers the practical, technical and hands-on security knowledge and operational information technology roles. It provides professionals with a skillset for monitoring, administrating of IT infrastructure, as well as imlementing information security policies based on three pillars: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. The certification consists of seven different domains with the following weigths:
- Security Operations and Administration: 16%
- Access Controls: 15%
- Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis: 15%
- Incident Response and Recovery: 14%
- Cryptography: 9%
- Network and Communications Security: 16%
- Systems and Application Security: 15%
The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions and has a time limit of 4 hours. To pass successfully, candidates need to score 700 points out of 1000. The exam is available in English, Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean and Spanish at ‘Pearson VUE Testing Centers.’ For more information, refer to the official SSCP Exam Outline The price of the exam is USD 249.
One Year Working Experience Required
To become certified as an SSCP, candidates need to demonstrate at least one year of cumulative working experience in one of the exam domains. However, if the candidate holds a bachelor or master degree in information/cyber security, the one year working experience requirement is waived. Candidates without the mentioned working experience can still pass the exam and become an 'Associate' of (ISC)² while they earn the required working experience.
Studying for the Exam
Official (ISC)² supplementary references are available on the related webpage.
After Passing the Exam
After completing the exam at the center, you will receive the preliminary results. If the exam is passed successfully, you will start the endorsment process and fullfill the related requirements, such as work or education experience proofs.