Are you considering a career in information security or want to start a career and are unsure which certification to pursue? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Surplus certifications are available in this field but you should always go for the most renowned and the one that benefits in your career advancement. One option might be Systems Security Certified Professional – one of the most popular certifications provided by (ISC)2. The entry-level certification proves that you have the skills and knowledge to secure an information technology system. In this blog, we’ll walk you through SSCP certification, its market demand, and how much you can earn with this certification.
A Complete Guide to SSCP Certification:
What is the SSCP certification?
SSCP certification is the technical certification provided by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, or (ISC)² that validates your expertise in implementing, monitoring, managing, and managing information security to safeguard IT infrastructure. This certification is generally considered an entry-level cybersecurity certification and is compared to CompTIA Security+. It also proves that you have subject-matter expertise and knowledge to implement, monitor and administer IT infrastructure using security best practices, policies, and procedures established by the cybersecurity experts at (ISC)².
Steps to Gain the SSCP Certification
This certification isn’t for everyone. Make sure that you are suitable for earning this certification and that it matches your current job roles and responsibilities. It is ideal for IT administrators, managers, directors, and security professionals who are responsible for security management and hands-on operational security of their organization’s critical assets. Moreover, this certification is the best fit if you’re working on the below job roles.
- Network Security Engineer
- Systems Administrator
- Security Analyst
- Systems Engineer
- Security Consultant/Specialist
- Security Administrator
- Systems/Network Analyst
- Database Administrator
Meet the All Requirements and Prerequisites
To qualify for this certification, the candidate must have passed the exam and one year of cumulative, paid work experience in one or more of the seven domains of the (ISC)² SSCP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Moreover, internships and non-paid work are also considered experience that is required. You can also use a bachelor’s or master’s degree in cybersecurity or a related field for work experience requirements. However, don’t worry if you don’t have the required experience, you can still pass the SSCP exam and become an Associate of (ISC)2. The Associate then has 2 years to complete the required one-year experience.
Pass the Required Exam
Passing the exam will lead you to complete the application process. The SSCP certification exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and you have 4 hours to complete the exam. The passing score for the exam is 700 out of 1000 points. The functional areas that build up the exam are:
- Access Controls
- Security Operations and Administration
- Risk Identification
- Monitoring and Analysis
- Incident response and recovery
- Cryptography
- Network, and Communications Security
- Systems and Applications Security.
Complete the Application Process
Once you pass the exam, you can complete the online application process. The application procedure will check your experience details and check out whether you’re good for working in the cybersecurity industry. Moreover, a candidate must agree to a certain code of ethics and check the four canon of ethical practice.
Read more: CISM VS CISSP Which Certification is Right for you
Cost of Getting an SSCP Certification
The cost associated with getting the SSCP certification is described below:
SSCP Exam Cost
The cost of the SSCP exam varies according to location. The latest prices for the SSCP exam across the different region is given below.
Regions | Exam Cost |
Americas | U.S. $249 |
Asia Pacific | U.S. $249 |
Europe | EUR 230 |
United Kingdom | GBP 199 |
Middle East | U.S. $249 |
Africa | U.S. $249 |
Additional Cost
If you cancel or reschedule your exam, you must pay extra charges.
- Rescheduling Exam: U.S. $50/35£/40€
- Canceling Exam: U.S. $100/70£/80€
Maintenance Fee
Besides the exam cost, there are also maintenance fees which you have to pay yearly. An (ISC)2 certified members have to pay a single annual maintenance fee of U.S. $125. Members only have to pay a single AMF regardless of how many certifications they earn. Associates of (ISC)2 have to pay the U.S. $50 which they have to pay on completing the first year as their associate status.
Other Cost Attached with Getting SSCP Certification
Other miscellaneous costs are also attached to getting an SSCP certification. It includes the cost of training and preparing for the certification exam. You can choose different study styles depending on the affordability and your learning pace. (ISC)2 also provide training in various options: a self-paced, instructor-led, or online course that fits your learning ability and schedule. Moreover, you can also opt for valid and cheap resources such as Dumpsgate SSCP exam dumps.o.
Job Prospects and Salary of the SSCP Certified in the Current Year
If you’re a security engineer, you will be responsible for developing effective security and computing solutions to increase the security of the company. You are also responsible for proving solutions to security risks so for this you should have advanced knowledge of intrusion detection and prevention protocols.
Salary Range:
The salary of the security engineer lies between $68k – 145k with a median salary of $99,257.
- Security Analyst – $72,995
As a security analyst, you will protect your organization’s security system from cyber-attacks and other security breaches. You have to collaborate with the IT security team to ensure the effective working of the networking system. Moreover, you’re also involved in the disaster recovery process in case of any emergency.
Salary Range: As a security analyst, you can expect a salary range between $53k- $102k. The average salary for this job role is $72,995.
- Cyber Security Analyst – $82,419
In this job role, you’re responsible for protecting the computer network and system as well as the data. You have to work actively to create and monitor networks that are strong and can fight security threats.
Salary Range: The salary range for this job role falls between $56k – $120k with an average salary of $82,419.
- Information Security Engineer – $98,326
You’re accountable for the security and network system of an organization as an information security engineer. Also, implementing security measures to prevent sensitive information and data is the responsibility of the infosec engineer. You should also be competent in developing and maintaining protocols for data security that is stored in the organization’s computer systems.
Salary Range: The average salary of an information security engineer is $98,326 which might go up to $139k depending on experience and location.
Read more: The Update CISSP Salary in 2023
Other Job Roles and Salaries
Job Roles | Salary |
System Engineer | $86,599 |
Security Administrator | $69,899 |
Network Security Engineer | $70,000 |
Information Technology Manager | $84,040 |
Security Architect | $125,334 |
SSCP Salary by Cities - United States
Top Cities | Salary |
Barnstable Town, MA | $66,348 |
Sunnyvale, CA | $66,013 |
Santa Cruz, CA | $64,364 |
Manhattan, NY | $64,137 |
Cambridge, MA | $62,120 |
SSCP Salary by Experience
Experience is one of the most important factors in salary hikes. Professionals with good experience get more salary than entry-level or mid-career level professionals.
Experience | Salary |
Beginner | $63,532 |
Intermediate | $88,226 |
Experienced | $104,452 |
SSCP Salary by Gender
The salary statistic on gender is penned down from the PayScale data. There is no huge discrepancy in the salary of male and female SSCP professionals.
Gender | Salary |
Male | $52,000 - $120,000 |
Female | $55,000 - $111,000 |
Wrapping Up…
SSCP certification is one of the renowned information security for an entry-level career in the IT security industry. The increasing cyber threats have increased the demand for information security professionals both in the public and private sectors.
The blog has taught you about steps for fulfilling the certification requirement and the cost of getting SSCP certification. It is noteworthy that this certification is the source of providing you with top-notch IT security job roles with higher salaries in different industries and cities
FAQ’s
Is SSCP in demand?
Yes- SCCP certification is in huge demand and is one of the most widely acquired (ISC)2 certifications. This certification validates that you’re competent in working across the organization’s information security systems. It is more practical and required hands-on practice than many other certifications in this domain. You can assess its demand by the career prospects and salary of certified SSCP professionals.
Is SSCP better than Security+?
Both of the certifications are considered most recognized in the cybersecurity domain and are best at their level. SSCP is geared toward professionals who are responsible for managing, administrating, and implementing information security to safeguard IT infrastructure. While Security+ validates baseline skills to perform core security functions such as assessing threats and vulnerabilities, risk management, and compliance.
What is the salary of SSCP in India?
The salary of SSCP professionals in India is INR 600,000.
How long is SSCP valid?
The SSCP certification is good for three years and 50 continuing education (CE) credits are required to renew.
What is the exam format of SSCP?
The SSCP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions which you have to complete in 4 hours.