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AndreaMoore
Community Manager

SSCP vs. CISSP Exams: How Are They Different?

Content previously posted to (ISC)² Blog

SSCP VS. CISSP EXAMS: HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?

Cissp vs sscpYou’re considering a cybersecurity certification and the SSCP and CISSP are both on your list. After comparing the material, you’re thinking there’s a good bit of overlap between the two. But is there, really? And if you sit for one exam would you be able to sit for the other without additional study or preparation?

These are excellent questions. In fact, we hear them a lot. And the reality is, there ARE commonalities, which is true for most things in the field. However, these two certifications are wholly different and were developed from two distinct perspectives.

In many ways, the CISSP certification holder would find the SSCP exam more difficult, as it’s focused on technical application. Although considered “entry level,” the SSCP is designed for the technical practitioner. It covers how to incorporate, build, design and apply security to technology.

Alternatively, the CISSP was designed with leaders in mind. It emphasizes how to build a program and apply concepts of security to the business. Also, the frame of reference for each certification is poles apart. SSCP tends to focus on technical application, and CISSP on the business alignment of that application.

Another important point to consider is depth and breadth: SSCP has more depth; CISSP has more breadth. (ISC)2 members who hold both credentials say each opens doors and benefits them professionally. Many pursue the SSCP first as they work toward getting managerial experience needed to obtain the CISSP.

To qualify for the SSCP, candidates must have at least a year of cumulative, paid, full-time work experience in one of the seven domains. For the CISSP, candidates must have at least five years of cumulative, paid, full-time work experience in two of the certification’s eight domains.

Domains

SSCP Domains    CISSP Domains
Access Controls         Security Risk Management
Security Operations and Administration Asset Security
Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis Security Architecture and Engineering
Incident Response and Recovery Communication and Network Security
Cryptography Identity and Access Management
Network and Communications Security Security Assessment and Testing
Systems and Application Security Security Operations
  Software Development Security

Exam Comparison

Certification   SSCP CISSP
Number of Items 125 100-150
Maximum Time Allowed 3 hours 3 hours
Passing Score (out of 100) 700 700
Available Formats English, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese English, French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Korean*

*Format also available to accommodate visual impairment.

For a deeper dive into each certification, download the latest (ISC)² Ultimate Guides to the SSCP or CISSP.

For a quick knowledge check, take the (ISC)² Practice Quizzes on CISSP or SSCP.




ISC2 Community Manager
6 Replies
denbesten
Community Champion


@AndreaMoore wrote:

 SSCP tends to focus on technical application, and CISSP on the business alignment of that application.


This is the one sentence is the key.  Mike-drop.

 

@AndreaMoore, thanks for posting.

Coldspring84
Newcomer I

Hi!

 

Actually when I studied for my SSCP I used a lot of CISSP training materials. In my personal opinion the SSCP is the training ground for CISSP.

 

CISSP, SSCP, ISO27K LA
ronniewatson
Newcomer I

Thank you this was very helpful to me reading this I know now the route I am going to take and that's the SSCP route. Baby steps for me!

ronniewatson
Newcomer I

Am sorry I will not cheat ok, please don’t post this type of links. Thanks!

AndreaMoore
Community Manager

@ronniewatson 

 

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. The post, including fraudulent links encouraging cheating, has been removed. 

 

If you see a similar post that violates the Community usage guidelines in the future, you can click on this drop down button on the post and click "Report Inappropriate Content." This will flag a Community manager to remove the post and take appropriate action against the offender. 

 

Thank you!

 

AndreaMoore_0-1624886688969.png

 




ISC2 Community Manager
ronniewatson
Newcomer I

Your welcome glad I can help, and I will keep that in mind about that report link.