CCSP vs AWS Security Specialty: Which Cloud Cert Should You Get in 2026?

You've decided cloud security is your career path — smart choice. The cloud security job market is booming, with demand for qualified professionals far outpacing supply. But now you face a critical decision: CCSP vs AWS Security Specialty. Two respected certifications, two very different philosophies, and one big question — which one is worth your time and money in 2026?

The short answer: it depends on your career goals, your current employer, and how deeply you're tied to the AWS ecosystem. The long answer is what this article is all about.

Quick Comparison Overview

Before diving deep, here's the head-to-head snapshot:

What Is the CCSP Certification?

The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) is issued by ISC², the same organization behind the CISSP. Launched in 2015, it was developed in partnership with the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), which means it incorporates both ISC²'s rigorous professional standards and CSA's cutting-edge cloud security frameworks.

The CCSP is fundamentally a strategic, vendor-neutral credential. It's designed for security professionals who need to understand cloud security principles across any cloud platform — AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, or any private/hybrid environment. You won't learn how to configure a specific AWS service; you'll learn why certain architectural decisions matter and how to evaluate risk and compliance regardless of which platform you're on.

This makes it exceptionally valuable for:

• Cloud security architects designing multi-cloud or hybrid environments
• Security managers and consultants advising organizations on cloud adoption
• Compliance and risk professionals working with cloud governance frameworks
• IT professionals preparing for leadership roles in cloud security

What Is AWS Security Specialty?

The AWS Certified Security – Specialty (SCS-C02) is Amazon's highest-level security certification. It's one of six specialty certifications in the AWS certification path and sits at the top of the AWS security track, above the Associate-level AWS Security courses.

Unlike the CCSP, the AWS Security Specialty is laser-focused on AWS-specific services, tools, and configurations. You'll be tested on your ability to implement, configure, and troubleshoot security controls within AWS — things like IAM policies, AWS KMS (Key Management Service), AWS Security Hub, GuardDuty, CloudTrail, and VPC security configurations.

This is a practitioner-level, hands-on certification. If you live in the AWS Console every day, this cert validates what you already know. It tells employers: "I can secure AWS environments right now, not just in theory."

The AWS Security Specialty is ideal for:

• Cloud engineers and DevSecOps engineers working primarily in AWS
• AWS administrators looking to specialize in security
• Security engineers at AWS-first or AWS-heavy organizations
• Professionals pursuing the full AWS certification path

Experience & Eligibility Requirements

CCSP Requirements

The CCSP has strict experience requirements that reflect its senior professional positioning:

• 5 years of cumulative, full-time IT work experience
• 3 of those 5 years must be in information security
• 1 year in at least one of the 6 CCSP exam domains

There are pathways for less experienced candidates. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field substitutes for 1 year of experience. The CISSP certification waives the entire requirement. The CCSK (Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge) substitutes for 1 year. Candidates who pass the exam but lack experience become an Associate of ISC² and have 6 years to fulfill requirements.

AWS Security Specialty Requirements

AWS doesn't enforce strict experience prerequisites — you self-attest your readiness. Their recommended baseline is:

• 5 years of IT security experience
• 2 years of hands-on AWS security experience
• AWS recommends having an Associate-level AWS certification first (e.g., AWS SysOps Administrator or AWS Developer)

Exam Format & Difficulty

CCSP Exam

The CCSP exam is administered exclusively at Pearson VUE testing centers — no online proctoring. This adds a logistical step but ensures exam integrity. Key details:

• 125 scored questions + 15 unscored "pilot" questions (you won't know which)
• 3 hours to complete
• 700/1000 passing score (scaled scoring)
• Multiple-choice and advanced innovative format questions
• Available in English, Chinese, German, and Japanese

Difficulty-wise, the CCSP is considered moderately difficult compared to the CISSP but more demanding than most vendor certs. The questions emphasize "best manager/architect answer" thinking — you need to think strategically, not just technically. Many candidates report that experience matters more than cramming.

AWS Security Specialty Exam

The AWS Security Specialty (SCS-C02) is available both at Pearson VUE centers and online via OnVUE, offering more flexibility:

• 65 scored questions (multiple choice + multiple response)
• 170 minutes to complete
• 750/1000 passing score
• Available online or in-person
• Available in English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese

The difficulty level is high for AWS-specific content. If you're not working in AWS regularly, questions about specific service configurations and IAM policy nuances can be very challenging. But if you're an active AWS practitioner, many questions will feel familiar.

Domains & Content Coverage

CCSP's 6 Domains

The CCSP covers cloud security from a comprehensive, architecture-first perspective across 6 domains:

1. Cloud Concepts, Architecture and Design (17%) — cloud models, shared responsibility, security design principles
2. Cloud Data Security (20%) — data lifecycle, classification, encryption, tokenization, DLP
3. Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security (17%) — virtualization, network security, workload protection
4. Cloud Application Security (17%) — DevSecOps, SDLC, OWASP, identity management
5. Cloud Security Operations (16%) — SOC, monitoring, incident response, vulnerability management
6. Legal, Risk and Compliance (13%) — GDPR, eDiscovery, audits, risk frameworks

Notice how Domain 6 (Legal, Risk and Compliance) exists in the CCSP but has no equivalent in AWS Security Specialty. This is the strategic difference: CCSP treats cloud security as a governance and risk discipline, not just a technical one. For our deep dive into each domain, see our CCSP Domains Explained guide.

AWS Security Specialty Domains

The SCS-C02 exam is structured around 5 domains:

1. Threat Detection and Incident Response (14%) — GuardDuty, Security Hub, Detective, incident playbooks
2. Security Logging and Monitoring (18%) — CloudTrail, CloudWatch, AWS Config
3. Infrastructure Security (20%) — VPC, security groups, WAF, Shield, network controls
4. Identity and Access Management (16%) — IAM, SCP, AWS Organizations, Cognito
5. Data Protection (18%) — KMS, Secrets Manager, ACM, S3 encryption, Macie
6. Management and Security Governance (14%) — AWS Control Tower, AWS Config Rules, Security Hub

Salary & Job Market in 2026

Both certifications command strong salaries, but the CCSP consistently ranks among the highest-paying IT certifications globally. Here's what the 2026 market looks like:

CCSP Salary Data

• Average salary (Global): $130,000–$160,000 USD
• Common titles: Cloud Security Architect, Senior Cloud Security Engineer, CISO, Security Consultant
• ISC² consistently ranks CCSP in its top-5 highest-paying certification list globally
• Strong demand in financial services, healthcare, government, and large enterprises

AWS Security Specialty Salary Data

• Average salary (US): $120,000–$150,000 USD
• Common titles: AWS Security Engineer, Cloud Security Engineer, DevSecOps Engineer, Solutions Architect
• Highly valued at AWS partners, MSPs, and AWS-first tech companies
• Often paired with other AWS certifications (Solutions Architect, DevOps Professional)

Job Posting Volume

AWS Security Specialty appears in more absolute job postings simply because AWS dominates the cloud market (~31% share). However, CCSP is listed as preferred or required in more senior and management-level positions. For executive and architect-level roles, CCSP wins. For cloud engineer and DevSecOps roles, AWS Security Specialty is often the first requirement listed.

Career Paths: Who Should Choose Each?

Choose CCSP If You Are:

• A security professional aiming for architect or leadership roles
• Working in a multi-cloud or hybrid environment (AWS + Azure + GCP)
• In consulting, advisory, or governance roles
• Building towards a CISO career path
• Working in regulated industries (finance, healthcare, government) where vendor neutrality matters for compliance
• Already holding a CISSP and wanting to specialize in cloud
• Seeking global recognition — CCSP is respected internationally in ways AWS certs are not

Choose AWS Security Specialty If You Are:

• An engineer who works in AWS daily
• At an AWS-only or AWS-primary organization
• Earlier in your career and want a faster path to certification
• Pursuing the full AWS certification path (Solutions Architect → Security Specialty)
• In DevSecOps, platform engineering, or SRE roles
• At an AWS partner or MSP where AWS competency requirements matter
• Wanting to validate specific AWS skills quickly for a new role or promotion

Should You Get Both?

Many top cloud security professionals hold both — and for good reason. They complement each other extremely well.

A common career progression looks like this:

1. Start in IT → earn AWS Solutions Architect Associate
2. Specialize in security → earn AWS Security Specialty
3. Gain 5 years of experience → earn CCSP
4. Continue to senior roles → consider CISSP

If you already have the AWS Security Specialty, adding the CCSP dramatically expands your marketability. You'll be able to speak both the "AWS practitioner" language and the "strategic cloud security governance" language — a combination that commands premium compensation.

If budget and time are constraints, prioritize based on your current employer's cloud strategy. If your company is AWS-first, AWS Security Specialty delivers faster ROI. If your company uses multiple clouds or you're in a governance/consulting role, CCSP first.

The Verdict: CCSP vs AWS Security Specialty

There's no universally "better" certification here — it depends entirely on your career context. But here's how to make the final call:

If you're serious about a long-term cloud security career, the CCSP is the more durable investment. Cloud platforms come and go (remember when everyone was rushing to get Rackspace certifications?), but the strategic security principles the CCSP teaches transcend any single vendor. AWS dominates today; the landscape will shift tomorrow.

The AWS Security Specialty is the right choice when you need to prove platform-specific expertise right now, especially in an AWS-centric environment. It's tactical where CCSP is strategic — and both matter in a well-rounded cloud security career.