In 2023, it’s time to get your CCSP certification
This is the perfect time to obtain your CCSP certification. The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) is a professional certification offered by (ISC)², a nonprofit organization that provides cybersecurity education and certification programs.
To obtain the CCSP certification, individuals must meet the following requirements:
- Have at least five years of cumulative paid work experience in one or more of the six domains of the CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK).
- Pass the CCSP exam, which covers the six domains of the CCSP CBK:
- Cloud Computing Concepts, Architecture, and Design
- Cloud Data Security
- Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Security
- Cloud Application Security
- Cloud Security Operations
- Legal, Risk, and Compliance
3. Agree to the (ISC)² Code of Ethics.
4. Submit a completed application form and pay the certification fee.
I encourage you to register at the ISC2 website to get started with your journey and to review the relevant requirements and costs for obtaining this industry-relevant cert.
Preparing for the CCSP exam
To prepare for the CCSP exam, individuals can study the CCSP CBK (Common Body of Knowledge), which is available from (ISC)². There are other resources available on Amazon and other bookstores. Consider at least the CCSP CBK and one other source for your studying.
You can also consider taking a training course or using other study materials, such as practice exams and study guides. However, training courses, while quite effective, can be pricey. A training course can offset your study time, since (if you’re like me when I study), I tend to study everything in-depth, while a week-long training course (as an example) will target the test items.
In general, to sit for the CCSP and pass it, you must have a strong foundation in cybersecurity concepts and experience working with cloud computing technologies before attempting the CCSP exam.
An overview of each of the 6 main topics
- Cloud computing concepts, architecture, and design:
Cloud computing concepts, architecture, and design refer to the underlying principles, technologies, and design patterns used to build and operate cloud computing environments. Cloud computing is a model of computing in which resources, such as data storage, computing power, and software applications, are provided as a service over the internet, rather than being hosted on local servers or devices.
In terms of concepts, cloud computing involves the delivery of computing resources as a service, rather than as a product. This allows organizations to access and use computing resources on an as-needed basis, rather than having to purchase and maintain their own hardware and software. Cloud computing also involves the use of virtualization technologies, which allow multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical host, improving resource utilization and reducing the need for hardware.
In terms of architecture, cloud computing environments are typically built using a combination of hardware, software, and networking components. These components may include servers, storage systems, networking equipment, and virtualization software. Cloud architectures are designed to be scalable, flexible, and highly available, allowing organizations to easily add or remove resources as needed.
In terms of design, cloud computing environments are typically built using a variety of design patterns, such as microservices, serverless computing, and containerization. These design patterns allow organizations to build and deploy applications and services in a way that is highly modular and flexible, making it easier to update and maintain them over time.
Overall, cloud computing concepts, architecture, and design are critical components of modern computing environments, enabling organizations to access and use computing resources on an as-needed basis and build and deploy applications and services in a flexible and scalable manner.
2. Cloud data security:
Cloud data security refers to the measures and technologies that are used to protect data stored in the cloud from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, or modification. As more organizations move data and applications to the cloud, it is important to ensure that this data is protected against cyber threats.
There are several key considerations when it comes to cloud data security. One important factor is the type of cloud service being used. Different types of cloud services, such as infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS), have different security implications and may require different approaches to data protection.
Another important factor is the level of control that an organization has over its data in the cloud. In some cases, an organization may have full control over its data and be responsible for securing it. In other cases, the cloud service provider may be responsible for securing the data. It is important for organizations to understand their level of control and responsibility when it comes to cloud data security.
There are also a number of technical measures that can be used to protect data in the cloud, such as encryption, access control, and data backup and recovery. These measures can help to prevent unauthorized access to data and protect against data loss in the event of a cyber attack or other incident.
Overall, cloud data security is a critical concern for organizations that store data in the cloud. Ensuring the security of this data requires a combination of careful planning, effective security measures, and a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved.
3. Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Security:
Cloud platform and infrastructure security refers to the measures and technologies that are used to protect the underlying infrastructure of a cloud computing environment from cyber threats. This includes the hardware, software, and networking components that make up the cloud platform, as well as the data centers and other facilities that house these components.
Ensuring the security of a cloud platform and infrastructure is critical, as a compromise of these systems could have significant consequences for an organization. This includes the loss of sensitive data, the disruption of operations, and the risk of financial and reputational damage.
There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to cloud platform and infrastructure security. One key factor is the type of cloud service being used. Different types of cloud services, such as infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS), have different security implications and may require different approaches to security.
Another important factor is the level of control that an organization has over its infrastructure in the cloud. In some cases, an organization may have full control over its infrastructure and be responsible for securing it. In other cases, the cloud service provider may be responsible for securing the infrastructure. It is important for organizations to understand their level of control and responsibility when it comes to cloud platform and infrastructure security.
There are also a number of technical measures that can be used to protect cloud platforms and infrastructure, such as encryption, access control, and network security. These measures can help to prevent unauthorized access to systems and protect against cyber attacks and other threats.
Overall, cloud platform and infrastructure security is a critical concern for organizations that use cloud computing services. Ensuring the security of these systems requires a combination of careful planning, effective security measures, and a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved.
4. Cloud Application Security:
Cloud application security refers to the measures and technologies that are used to protect cloud-based applications and services from cyber threats. Cloud-based applications and services are those that are hosted in the cloud and accessed over the internet, rather than being installed and run on local devices or servers.
Ensuring the security of cloud-based applications and services is critical, as a compromise of these systems could have significant consequences for an organization. This includes the loss of sensitive data, the disruption of operations, and the risk of financial and reputational damage.
There are a number of factors to consider when it comes to cloud application security. One key factor is the type of cloud service being used. Different types of cloud services, such as infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS), have different security implications and may require different approaches to security.
Another important factor is the level of control that an organization has over its applications in the cloud. In some cases, an organization may have full control over its applications and be responsible for securing them. In other cases, the cloud service provider may be responsible for securing the applications. It is important for organizations to understand their level of control and responsibility when it comes to cloud application security.
There are also a number of technical measures that can be used to protect cloud-based applications and services, such as encryption, access control, and network security. These measures can help to prevent unauthorized access to systems and protect against cyber attacks and other threats.
Overall, cloud application security is a critical concern for organizations that use cloud-based applications and services. Ensuring the security of these systems requires a combination of careful planning, effective security measures, and a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved.
5. Cloud Security Operations:
Cloud security operations refer to the processes and practices that are used to monitor, detect, and respond to cyber threats in cloud computing environments. Cloud security operations involve the use of tools and technologies to monitor cloud environments for signs of malicious activity, as well as the development of policies and procedures to guide the response to security incidents.
Ensuring the security of cloud environments requires a proactive approach to monitoring and response. This includes the use of security tools and technologies, such as intrusion detection systems (IDS) and security information and event management (SIEM) systems, to monitor cloud environments for signs of malicious activity. It also includes the development of policies and procedures to guide the response to security incidents, such as the creation of incident response plans and the establishment of incident response teams.
In addition to these technical measures, effective cloud security operations also require the development of processes to ensure that security controls are properly implemented and maintained. This may include the development of security best practices, the implementation of security frameworks, and the establishment of processes for regular security assessments and audits.
Overall, cloud security operations are a critical component of effective cloud security. Ensuring the security of cloud environments requires a combination of technical measures, such as the use of security tools and technologies, and the development of policies and procedures to guide the response to security incidents.
6. Legal, Risk, and Compliance:
Legal, risk, and compliance refers to the legal and regulatory considerations that must be taken into account when operating a cloud computing environment. This includes an understanding of the laws and regulations that apply to the collection, use, and storage of data in the cloud, as well as the risks and liabilities that may arise as a result of using cloud services.
Ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements is a critical aspect of operating a cloud computing environment. This may involve the development of policies and procedures to ensure that data is collected, used, and stored in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. It may also involve the implementation of technical controls to ensure that data is protected in accordance with these requirements.
In addition to legal and regulatory compliance, it is also important to consider the risks and liabilities associated with using cloud services. This includes the risk of data loss or breach, the risk of unauthorized access to data, and the risk of regulatory penalties and fines. To mitigate these risks, organizations may need to implement additional controls and take other measures to protect their data and systems in the cloud.
Overall, legal, risk, and compliance are important considerations when it comes to operating a cloud computing environment. Ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and managing risks and liabilities requires a combination of careful planning and the implementation of effective controls and policies.
Summary
As noted earlier, The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) is a professional certification offered by (ISC)², a nonprofit organization that provides cybersecurity education and certification programs. The CCSP certification is designed for professionals who have a strong understanding of cloud security and are responsible for designing, implementing, and managing secure cloud computing environments.
Obtaining a CCSP certification can provide a number of benefits to professionals working in the field of cybersecurity. Some of the key benefits include:
- Improved knowledge and skills: The CCSP certification process involves studying the CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) and passing a comprehensive exam. This helps to ensure that CCSP-certified professionals have a strong understanding of cloud security and the skills needed to design and implement secure cloud computing environments.
- Enhanced credibility and recognition: The CCSP certification is widely recognized as a measure of expertise in the field of cloud security. Holding a CCSP certification can help to enhance a professional’s credibility and recognition within the industry.
- Improved career opportunities: The demand for professionals with expertise in cloud security is growing, and the CCSP certification can help to open up new career opportunities. Many organizations prefer to hire professionals with recognized certifications, and the CCSP certification is highly respected within the industry.
- Increased earning potential: CCSP-certified professionals may also have the opportunity to command higher salaries and earn greater job security compared to non-certified professionals. According to (ISC)², CCSP-certified professionals earn an average of 22% more than non-certified professionals.
Overall, the CCSP certification can provide a number of benefits to professionals working in the field of cybersecurity. It can help to improve knowledge and skills, enhance credibility and recognition, open up new career opportunities, and increase earning potential.
Future Articles
I’ll provide future articles, presentations, and videos this year on cloud security. In the meantime, please feel free to drop me any related questions. I’m here to support your certification journey.
About the Author
Ron McFarland, PhD, CISSP is a Senior Cybersecurity Consultant at CMTC (California Manufacturing Technology Consulting) in Torrance, CA. He received his doctorate from NSU’s School of Engineering and Computer Science, MSc in Computer Science from Arizona State University, and a Post-Doc graduate research program in Cyber Security Technologies from the University of Maryland. He taught Cisco CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional), CCDA (Design), CCNA-Security and other Cisco courses and was honored with the Cisco Academy Instructor (CAI) Excellence Award in 2010, 2011, and 2012 for excellence in teaching. He also holds multiple security certifications including the prestigious Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification and several Cisco certifications.
CONTACT Dr. Ron McFarland, PhD, MSc, CDNA, CISSP
· CMTC Email: rmcfarland@cmtc.com
· Email: highervista@gmail.com
· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/highervista/
· Website: https://www.highervista.com
· YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RonMcFarland/featured
