AWS Certified Security – Specialty credential artwork

AWS Certified Security – Specialty (SCS-C03)

Validates knowledge of securing AWS workloads, including threat detection, incident response, infrastructure security, identity, data protection and governance.

Summary

AWS Certified Security Specialty is for people who already secure cloud systems and want to show they can secure AWS workloads. It covers threat detection, incident response, network and identity controls, data protection and multi-account governance, using long scenarios.

Good fit if

  • You secure AWS as a cloud security engineer or architect
  • You know core AWS services at Solutions Architect Associate level
  • You want security depth rather than general architecture

Look elsewhere if

Salary & jobs

Prerequisites

No required prerequisites. Anyone can book the exam.

3 to 5 years securing cloud solutions

Recommended

AWS expects experience with multi-account governance, identity at scale, incident response, logging, encryption and responding to audits.

Cost

USD · US pricing
$300
A retake costs the full $300 after a 14-day wait. The 50% voucher from a previous AWS exam brings the fee to $150.

What holders say

Certification path

Candidates usually earn Solutions Architect Associate or Professional first, according to AWS. AWS also recommends Security Specialty after Data Engineer Associate.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate credential artwork
Solutions Architect AssociateDesigning solutions on AWS
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional credential artwork
Solutions Architect ProfessionalComplex, multi-account AWS architectures
AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate credential artwork
Data Engineer AssociateData pipelines on AWS
This certification
AWS Certified Security – Specialty credential artwork
Security SpecialtySecuring AWS workloads

Renewal

AWS Security Specialty is valid for three years.

Validity
3 years
Renew by exam
Latest Security Specialty
Retake with 50% voucher
$150 USD

With an active Skill Builder subscription, the Maintain route extends the certification by one year through training within 90 days of expiry.

AWS recertification options ↗

Alternatives

Certified Cloud Security Professional credential artwork
CCSP$734 required · Advanced

A vendor-neutral cloud security certification covering architecture, data and compliance across providers.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional credential artwork
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional$300 required · Advanced

AWS's advanced architecture certification, broader than security.

Microsoft Certified: Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate credential artwork
SC-500$165 required · Intermediate

Microsoft's equivalent for securing Azure cloud and AI workloads.

FAQ

What experience do I need for AWS Security Specialty?

None is checked. AWS writes the SCS-C03 exam for people with 3 to 5 years of experience securing cloud solutions.

Is SCS-C02 still available?

No. SCS-C03 is the current exam. The Simplified Chinese, Spanish (Latin America) and Portuguese (Brazil) versions retire after 31 December 2026.

How hard is the AWS Security Specialty exam?

It needs a scaled score of 750, and candidates describe long multi-account scenarios where two answers look right. It also includes ordering and matching questions, which score only when every part is correct.

How do I renew AWS Security Specialty?

Pass the latest version of the exam within three years, using your 50% voucher, or extend it by one year through Skill Builder training in the last 90 days.

Last updated October 2026