SSCP vs CISSP: Top Cybersecurity Certifications Compared

The world has become more digital than ever before. Every business has online operations, and most of them have tons of data on the cloud and other online storage systems. The issue or the challenge with this is that it exposes the data to intruders. As accessibility gets convenient, it poses a risk to companies. It can lead to leaking significant company insights and cause disastrous effects. Hence, it is mandatory to appoint an expert team who can take care of the cybersecurity aspects. If you plan to build a career in the cybersecurity domain, I suggest you opt for certifications like SSCP and CISSP to multiply your chances of getting hired. 

In this article, I will discuss SSCP vs CISSP to help you understand these certifications and decide which one you want to opt for. 

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

This is a course well-suited for technicians, executives, and managers. Under this certification course, one needs to pass the examination and then get endorsed by an active (ISC)2 credential holder to get their certificate. Also, one needs to attend various activities to maintain the certificate. With a validity of three years, you should recertify after the certificate's expiry. It is important if you want to make sure your career progresses smoothly.

Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

This is an early-career certification that focuses on technical aspects of security. This certificate course is specially designed for those in admin roles and engineering. For any person to opt for this certification course, they must have a minimum of one year of relevant work experience. In addition, just like CISSP, the holders of this certificate need to be endorsed by an active (ISC)2 credential-holder. Only after that will they get their certificate.

You can enrol in best Cyber Security certifications to take your professional life to a new height.

 CISSP vs SSCP: Comparison Table

Parameters	CISSP	SSCP
Prerequisites	Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in at least two domains of the current CISSP exam outline.	The candidate should have a post-secondary degree in computer science or information technology. He should also have a minimum of one year of experience in at least one of the domains of the SSCP exam outline.
Exam Details	There are 150 questions in the CISSP exam you must answer in three hours. The exam is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Korean, French and more.	There are 125 questions in the SSCP exam which you must answer in three hours. The exam is available in multiple languages, including English, Japanese, Brazilian, and more.
Certification Levels	CISSP is suitable for those who are suitable to become leaders. It is a bit challenging to crack and you require proper training for it.	SSCP is more focused on technical applications, and you do require proper training to crack this exam.
Domains	There are different domains that you explore in CISSP certification, including security risk management, security operations, and asset security.	There are different domains that you explore in SSCP certification, including access controls, network and communication security.
Salary Prospects	Average salary after completing CISSP certifications is $131,030	Average salary after completing SSCP certifications is $93,240
Job Opportunities	With CISSP certification, you can explore jobs, like IT Technician, Manager, Architectural jobs.	With SSCP certification, you can get Information Assurance Technician jobs at level I and II
Certification Cost	The cost of CISSP certification is $600	The cost of CISSP certification is $370

Main Differences Between CISSP vs SSCP

Both the courses are designed in a way that helps candidates to move forward in their careers. Though there are some similarities in both the courses, they have one major difference. The CISSP certification course emphasizes the management part of the cyber security domain. Therefore, it is perfect for those ready to take on a managerial position while working in this sector. The SSCP certification course, on the other hand, is more suited for those who are just starting their career.

1. CISSP vs SSCP: Exam Details

When you are considering cyber security certificates like the CISSP or the SSCP, there are certain things about the examinations you should know. Though there are several common things in both exams, there are differences as well that you need to explore to make sure that you properly understand them. In this section, we will look at the various details of the examinations.

• The number of items: When it comes to the number of questions each test contains, it is 125 for SSCP. However, for CISSP, the number of questions you will have to answer is around 150.
• Time: This is a very important factor for any examination. So, you need to be aware of the time you will have to complete each exam. For SSCP, you get three hours to complete the examination. For CISSP as well, the time is three hours.
• Passing score: You need to cross a certain barrier to make sure that you crack the examination. It is the passing marks. For both the certification courses, it is set at 700.
• Formats: These certifications are accepted at a global level. Hence, it is also important for the exams to be available in other formats and not just in English. As for SSCP, it is available in Japanese and Brazilian Portuguese. Besides English, CISSP is available in many languages other than English, including Korean, French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Spanish, Korean, and simplified Chinese.

2. CISSP vs SSCP: Certification Levels

Despite having some common ground, many differences add value to these certification courses. The differences in the courses arise from the fact that they are developed from two distinctive perspectives.

Since SSCP is more focused on technical applications, people who already have CISSP certification may find it difficult. On the other hand, CISSP is designed for those more suited to be a leader. Hence, it can be tough for someone with an SSCP degree to crack the examination. However, with proper training and SSCOP or CISSP certification course online, one can pass the examination with flying colors.

3. CISSP vs SSCP: Domains

The certificate courses are conducted on basic information related to certain domains. For both CISSP and SSCP, there are different domains that one needs to explore to make sure that one can ace the examinations. In this section, we will take a quick look at the domains you need to know about under each certification course.

Let us start with the domains under the SSCP course. Here is a quick look:

• Access Controls
• Network and Communications Security
• Incident Response and Recovery
• Security Operations and Administration
• Cryptography
• Systems and Application Security
• Risk Identification, Monitoring and Analysis

Let's look at the domains under the CISSP certification course. There are eight domains that a person needs to know about to ace this exam. They are:

• Security Risk Management
• Identity and Access Management
• Security Assessment and Testing
• Security Operations
• Software Development Security
• Asset Security
• Communication and Network Security
• Security Architecture and Engineering

4. CISSP vs SSCP: Salary Prospects

Both the certificates have the potential to help you forward your career in the best possible way. However, one of them certainly helps you earn more than the other. For example, if you are a CISSP-certified candidate, you can earn around $131,030. However, if you have an SSCP certificate, your average salary would be around $93,240.

The salary structure doesn't depend solely on the certificates, but they certainly play a major role.

5. CISSP vs SSCP: Job Opportunities

The certificate course, both SSCP and CISSP are recognized as US Department of Defense (DOD) baseline certifications. What does that mean? Once you acquire these certificates, you will have the opportunity to venture into various career options within the government. Here are some of the fields where you can get a federal government job.

• IT technician
• Architectural jobs
• Manager
• Engineering jobs

Within each job field, there are multiple levels to explore. You can obtain a position at a level according to your experience.

With your SSCP certificate, you can get Information Assurance Technician (IAT) jobs at levels I and II. For level III, you need a CISSP certificate. With a CISSP certificate, you can also opt for jobs like Level II or III Information Assurance Manager (IAM) and IA System Architects and Engineers (IASAE) at levels I and II.

6. CISSP vs SSCP: Prerequisites 

For CISSP, the candidate should have familiarity with the cybersecurity domain. They should come from a computer science or information technology background. They must have a fundamental understanding of cybersecurity. Additionally, the enthusiast should have at least 5 years of full-time work experience in two or more domains of the current CISSP exam outline.

For SSCP also, the candidate requires familiarity with the cybersecurity domain. They should come from a computer science or information technology background. Additionally, the enthusiast should have at least one year of full-time work experience in at least one of the domains of the current SSCP exam outlines.

7. CISSP vs SSCP: Certification Cost 

The SSCP certification will cost you $249. It is the basic exam fee, and a few exam conductors may charge an additional fee to cater to the added exam protocols. It is significant to note that exam rescheduling will cost you $50, and you pay $100 to cancel.

The CISSP certification will cost you $749. It is the basic exam fee and may vary for different countries. It excludes the CISSP certification course online fee that your exam conductor might charge for the preparation part. For the renewal after three years, you must pay an annual maintenance cost of $125 to apply for renewal. 

How Are They Similar? 

We have discussed the SSCP vs CISSP differences in detail. The question that might arise here is, are they similar in any way? Well, the only similarity you find between these two is that they both prepare candidates for better cybersecurity. 

SSCP is more of an entry-level certification for people who have just begun or plan to start a career in IT. On the other hand, CISSP is for experienced professionals with enough work experience who are ready to take up higher management or leadership positions. While the levels at which these certifications work are different, they have a similar aim to train professionals to provide a better cybersecurity environment. Another similarity between these two certifications is renewing them every three years. You should pay the annual maintenance fee actively, earn enough credit points, and submit the renewal application every three years. 

What Should You Choose Between SSCP and CISSP? 

Honestly, CISSP and SSCP do not outweigh each other in any manner. Both these certifications cover different aspects of the cybersecurity spectrum and cater to varied professionals at different levels. However, it takes detailed research to identify which out of these two is apt for you.

If you are new to the cybersecurity career and wish for a promising start, you can start with SSCP. It is for those professionals who want a great start and wish to establish a long and secure career in the cybersecurity domain. Start with getting SSCP certified and keep CISSP as your long-term goal. The work experience you get after you start working as an SSCP-certified professional will help you crack the CISSP exam with utmost convenience. Moreover, you can enroll on KnowledgeHut’s CISSP certification course online to prepare well and strengthen your hold over the domain will be exceptional.

The significant thing to note here is that every (ISC)2 certification is only valid for three years, and you would have to renew them after that. So, plan well and try to complete your CISSP within a year or so, after completing SSCP. This way, there will be enough time to enjoy both certifications' benefits before you renew them.

Looking to boost your ITIL knowledge? Join our online course, ITIL 4 Foundation online course. Gain valuable insights and skills in a unique way. Enroll now!

Conclusion

Certifications are certainly your way to level up your professional journey; especially in the highly demanding domains like cybersecurity. The demand for efficient cybersecurity experts is high and will continue to increase, so if you keep up with the pace, your professional journey will be exceptional. Going for the best Cyber Security certifications will help you grow in your profession by training you in the latest advancements in this domain. You will learn new tools and techniques to deliver your work efficiently. Moreover, certifications assure your employer that you are worth hiring! So, explore your options, keep your final goals in mind, and choose the certification, which you feel can help in your growth. Remember to keep track of the time after which your certifications are due to renew and keep enjoying the perks they offer in your professional career.