CCSP or CISSP — Which is better?
Choosing between CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional) and CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) can be a bit tricky as both the certifications are nearly the same and developed by (ISC)2. However, one of them can be chosen based on what an individual wants to accomplish. CISSP is a certification that allows you to advance your career by moving into management, while CCSP helps you stay technical. Also, earning a CISSP credential stands as the entire experience required for a CCSP.
Both the certifications have been elaborated hereunder for clearer and better understanding.
Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
CCSP is a premier cloud security certification and considered as a global credential representing the highest cloud security certification. Earning a CCSP certification validates your skills and hands-on experience in cloud security architecture, design, operations and service orchestration.
The prerequisites for this certification include a minimum of five years of experience in IT, out of which one year must be spent dealing with the six domains of the CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK).
The targeted audience for this course includes:
- Enterprise Architect
- Security Administrator
- Systems Engineer
- Security Architect
- Security Consultant
- Security Engineer
- Security Manager
- Systems Architect
A CCSP certification makes you eligible for instant credibility and you earn recognition as it enables you to earn the highest credential for cloud security expertise. It allows you to stay ahead of others by keeping you current on the latest technologies, threats and mitigation strategies. This certification allows you to work on various cloud platforms and enables you to protect the sensitive data in a global environment. CCSP also helps you come across various opportunities and move into roles most appropriate for you.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
CISSP helps advance your career in cyber security. Earning a CISSP credential demonstrates your expertise in designing, implementing and managing a highly reliable cyber security program.
The prerequisites to becoming a CISSP include a minimum of five years of work experience in security, i.e., experience in at least two of the eight CISSP CBK (Common Body of Knowledge) domains.
The target audience for this certification include:
- Chief Information Security Officer
- Chief Information Officer
- Director of Security
- IT Director/Manager
- Security Systems Engineer
- Security Analyst
- Security Manager
- Security Auditor
- Security Architect
- Security Consultant
- Network Architect
The benefits of earning a CISSP certification include the immediate recognition that one receives as it is highly respected by large organizations. As per a survey conducted by the Global Information Security and Workforce, the average salary earned by CISSP professionals is 25% more than the average salary earned by their non-certified colleagues. Also, the rate at which the salary hikes are received by CISSP professionals exceeds many other domains in the IT industry.
Salary Comparison
If we compare the pays being withdrawn after pursuing these courses, a CCSP earns an annual average salary of $100,800 (upon averaging salary reports form US, Philadelphia, PA, Washington, DC, Dallas-Fort Worth, TX and Shreveport, LA) according to Glassdoor, while the annual average salaries earned by CISSP professionals vary between $80,540 for an Information Security Analyst and $110,451 for a Security Architect, as per a study was done by the PayScale.
Though the details are given above can prove fruitful in choosing the right certification for you, both the certifications hold a unique and special place in the cyber security world.
Originally published at blog.koenig-solutions.com on August 7, 2018.
