AWS Certified Security Specialty Certification Guide
AWS Certified Security Specialty Certification Guide
The AWS Certified Security – Specialty (SCS-C02) is an advanced-level certification from Amazon Web Services (AWS) that validates deep expertise in securing data, applications, and workloads on the AWS cloud. It’s one of the most respected cloud security credentials and is ideal for security engineers, architects, and compliance specialists.
Why AWS Certified Security Specialty Certification Is Important
- Recognized globally as the flagship AWS security certification.
- Proves skills in cloud security, compliance, incident response, and encryption.
- Certified professionals earn an average salary of $130K–$150K in the U.S.
- Highly valued by enterprises adopting cloud security frameworks.
Requirements and Eligibility
- No mandatory prerequisites.
- Recommended:
- 5+ years of IT security experience.
- 2+ years of hands-on experience securing AWS workloads.
- Familiarity with AWS services (IAM, KMS, VPC, CloudTrail, etc.).
Exam Details (SCS-C02 – Current Version in 2025)
- Exam Fee: $300 (USD)
- Format: 65 multiple-choice and multiple-response questions
- Time: 170 minutes (2 hours, 50 minutes)
- Passing Score: 750/1000 (scaled)
- Delivery: Online proctored or Pearson VUE test centers
Domains Covered (2025 SCS-C02 Exam Guide):
- Incident Response – Detecting and responding to security incidents (12%)
- Logging and Monitoring – CloudTrail, CloudWatch, GuardDuty (20%)
- Infrastructure Security – Network security, VPC, WAF, Shield (26%)
- Identity and Access Management (IAM) – Federation, policies, roles (20%)
- Data Protection – Encryption, KMS, S3 security, key rotation (22%)
Salary and Career Outlook
- Average salary: $130K–$150K in the U.S.
- Roles: Cloud Security Engineer, Security Architect, Compliance Specialist, DevSecOps Engineer.
- High demand: AWS dominates the cloud market, and security is the #1 skill gap in cloud computing.
Step-by-Step Roadmap to AWS Certified Security Specialty
- Assess Readiness – Ensure you have AWS Associate-level knowledge (e.g., Solutions Architect Associate).
- Study Security Domains – Focus on IAM, encryption, monitoring, and compliance.
- Take AWS Training – Official AWS Security Specialty course (optional but recommended).
- Practice with Hands-On Labs – Use AWS free tier to test IAM, KMS, CloudTrail, and VPC.
- Use Practice Exams – Build familiarity with AWS exam format.
- Register for SCS-C02 – Schedule at Pearson VUE or AWS Training portal.
- Pass the Exam – Earn credential valid for 3 years.
Exam Pass Tips and Mistakes to Avoid
Tips for Success
- Master IAM policies, roles, and federated identity.
- Learn encryption in depth: KMS, CloudHSM, S3 encryption options.
- Practice logging/monitoring setups with CloudTrail, GuardDuty, Macie.
Common Mistakes
- Neglecting compliance and regulatory requirements (PCI-DSS, HIPAA, GDPR).
- Confusing service limits vs security misconfigurations.
- Relying only on theory without hands-on AWS practice.
Best Study Resources
- AWS Certified Security Study Guide
- AWS Certified Security Specialty Exam Guide
- Tutorials Dojo (Jon Bonso) practice exams
- Whizlabs AWS Security Specialty course
- A Cloud Guru / Pluralsight AWS Security labs
- AWS Well-Architected Framework: Security Pillar
Renewal and Continuing Education Requirements
- Valid for 3 years.
- Renewal options:
- Retake the exam, or
- Earn a higher-level AWS certification.
- AWS recommends continuous learning via free webinars and Skill Builder courses.
AWS Security Specialty vs Other Security Certifications
| Certification | Focus | Difficulty | Cost | Avg Salary | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Security Specialty | AWS cloud security | High | $300 | $140K | AWS security engineers |
| CISSP | Broad security domains, governance & risk | Very High | $749 | $145K | Security managers, CISOs |
| CISM | Information security management | High | $575–$760 | $135K | IT security leaders |
| CompTIA Security+ | Entry-level cybersecurity fundamentals | Medium | $392 | $85K | Beginners, IT staff |
👉 AWS Security Specialty is best for cloud-focused security roles, while CISSP and CISM are broader management-level credentials.
Practice Questions (Mini Quiz)
- Which AWS service is best for detecting suspicious activity in AWS accounts?
- A) CloudTrail
- B) GuardDuty ✅
- C) Macie
- D) Inspector
- What is the recommended service for centralized key management and encryption?
- A) CloudHSM
- B) IAM
- C) KMS ✅
- D) Secrets Manager
- Which AWS service helps ensure compliance with GDPR and HIPAA by identifying sensitive data?
- A) GuardDuty
- B) Inspector
- C) Macie ✅
- D) WAF
Why the AWS Certified Security Specialty Certification Is In-Demand
The AWS Certified Security Specialty certification proves your expertise in securing cloud environments — one of the most in-demand IT skills today. It validates advanced knowledge in encryption, IAM, monitoring, and incident response, positioning you as a trusted AWS security professional.
If your goal is to specialize in cloud security, work as a security architect, or advance into DevSecOps leadership, this certification is a game-changer. With AWS dominating the cloud market, Security Specialty is your passport to higher-paying roles and career advancement.
