Systems Security Certified Practitioner credential artwork

Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

Validates practical skills in implementing access controls, monitoring risk, responding to incidents and securing networks, systems and applications.

Summary

SSCP is ISC2's credential for hands-on security practitioners who implement access controls, monitor risk, respond to incidents and secure networks, systems and applications. It sits between entry-level credentials and CISSP and focuses on day-to-day security operations.

Good fit if

  • You work in security operations or admin with security duties
  • You have about a year of hands-on experience and aim for CISSP
  • Your employer or contract recognizes ISC2 credentials

Look elsewhere if

  • You have no IT or security experience yet: Security+ or ISC2 CC
  • You have five years of experience: CISSP
  • You want analyst skills on a widely requested exam: CySA+

Salary & jobs

Prerequisites

Experience required for certification

1 year in an SSCP domain

Required

Full-time paid work in one or more of the seven domains. Part-time work and internships can count. Experience is checked through endorsement after you pass.

Standard route1 year in one or more SSCP domains
Degree in computer science, IT, cybersecurity or a related fieldSatisfies the year

You can sit the exam first. Without the experience you become an Associate of ISC2 and have two years to earn it. After passing, submit your endorsement within nine months.

Cost

USD · US exam pricing · new ISC2 member
$249
$135
The $135 annual fee recurs and covers all your ISC2 certifications. Associates pay $50 a year. Rescheduling costs $50 and cancelling $100. Each retake is charged at the full exam fee.

What holders say

Certification path

CC is ISC2’s starting point and SSCP the next step. SSCP counts as one year of the experience CISSP requires.

Certified in Cybersecurity credential artwork
CCCybersecurity fundamentals
This certification
Systems Security Certified Practitioner credential artwork
SSCPHands-on security operations
Certified Information Systems Security Professional credential artwork
CISSPBroad security leadership

Renewal

SSCP renews every three years through continuing education and an annual fee.

Renewal cycle
3 years
Continuing education
60 CPE credits
Maintenance fee
$135 / year USD

At least 45 credits must be Group A, related to the SSCP domains; the other 15 can be Group A or professional-development Group B. One annual fee covers every ISC2 certification you hold.

ISC2 member policies ↗

Alternatives

CompTIA Security+ credential artwork
CompTIA Security+$439 required · Entry

More widely requested entry-level security credential with no experience requirement.

CompTIA CySA+ credential artwork
CySA+$439 required · Intermediate

Hands-on security analysis and threat detection.

GIAC Security Essentials credential artwork
GSEC$999 required · Intermediate

Technical security fundamentals from GIAC.

FAQ

What are the SSCP requirements?

One year of paid work in one or more SSCP domains. A degree in computer science, IT, cybersecurity or a related field satisfies the year. You can take the exam before you have it.

How much does SSCP cost?

The exam is $249 in the US. After endorsement, the first $135 annual fee completes certification.

Is SSCP hard?

It is adaptive and fast-paced: up to 125 questions in two hours, with no going back. Several passers say it felt harder than it was.

SSCP or Security+?

Both cover core security operations. Security+ needs no experience and is more widely requested; SSCP suits practitioners with a year of experience heading toward CISSP.

Last updated October 2026