SSCP
Systems Security Certified Practitioner · ISC2
The SSCP certifies the hands-on skills of an administrator or technician who implements and runs security controls: access control, operations, risk, incident response, cryptography, network and system security. It is solid and accredited, but much less known than CompTIA Security+, which occupies the same niche and is better recognised by recruiters. Its strength is the ISC2 framework, which leads naturally to the CISSP; its limit is modest visibility, especially in France.
- Exam
- Computerised adaptive test (CAT) since 1 October 2025: 100 to 125 questions in 2 h, pass mark 700/1,000. Exam outline in force since the same date.
- Exam price
- $249€239.04 in Europe.
- Required experience
- One year of full-time paid experience in at least one of the seven domains; a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree can replace it. Without it, you become an Associate of ISC2 with two years to gain the experience.
- Validity and maintenance
- 3-year cycle: 60 CPE credits (20 per year) and an annual maintenance fee of US$135, a single fee however many ISC2 certifications you hold.
- Format
- Adaptive multiple choice
- Recognition
- ISO/IEC 17024 accredited · DoD 8140 approved
Who is it for?
System and network administrators, security technicians and junior SOC analysts with at least a year of practice who want to formalise their operational skills.
Domains covered
- Security concepts and practices: 16%
- Access controls: 15%
- Risk identification, monitoring and analysis: 15%
- Incident response and recovery: 14%
- Cryptography: 9%
- Network and communications security: 16%
- Systems and application security: 15%
Belinda’s take
Information checked on 2 October 2026 against the official site. Prices exclude tax and training, and may change.
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