ISC2 SSCP

SSCP vs CISSP — Which one is right for you?

Firebrand Training wheel
Sarah Morgan
12 October, 2017

Deciding between the CISSP and SSCP ISC2 certifications can be confusing. Which one is right for you?

Whom are the certifications aimed at?

The ISC2 CISSP certification is designed for Chief Information Security Officers, Security Managers, Consultants and Analysts, as well as, Directors of Security. In short: information security professionals working in senior managerial security roles.

In contrast, the ISC2 SSCP certification is aimed at those who want to build and prove their essential cyber security skills and are currently in a hands-on information security role. The SSCP is an excellent certification for Network Security Engineers, Security Administrators and Systems Engineers.

What are the prerequisites?

For CISSP training, you need at least 5 years of professional experience in the information security field. An endorsement is also required to ensure you meet the course standard. Previous certifications such as CISM, CEH or SEC+ would be a boost.

As the SSCP certification is an entry-level information security course, only 1 year of experience is required.

What will you learn?

ISC2 CISSP training has a top-down, all-encompassing security strategy. You’ll study advanced security practices covering the 8 domains covered in the CISSP CBK.

The CISSP domains are:

  1. Security and Risk Management
  2. Asset Security
  3. Security Engineering
  4. Communications and Network Security
  5. Identity and Access Management
  6. Security Assessment and Testing
  7. Security Operations
  8. Software Development Security
 

SSCP is taught from the bottom up, giving IT workers a broad idea of how best to be aware of information security, as well as focusing on related technical skills.

SSCP covers 7 domains:

  1. Access Controls
  2. Security Operations and Administration
  3. Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis
  4. Incident Response and Recovery
  5. Cryptography
  6. Network and Communications Security
  7. Systems and Application Security

What Does a CISSP or SSCP do?

A CISSP has the potential to work with nationwide or even global management teams, creating security strategies and helping workers to be able to best do their job in implementing those strategies.
Because those with an SSCP are well-rounded, they are able to adapt to many different day-to-day information security scenarios. An SSCP can expect a great amount of variety because of their skill set.



 

CISSP and SSCP salaries

The average salary for a CISSP-certified professional is £62,500 in the UK – increasing to £90,000 for senior roles (ITJobsWatch). Plus, possessing a CISSP certification is often seen as a prerequisite to the C-suite and the Chief Information Officer (CISO) role, which comes alongside an average salary of £105,000 (ITJobsWatch).
According to ITJobsWatch, the average salary for an SSCP-certified professional is £55,000. As you might expect, this is lower than the CISSP as the SSCP holds more attainable prerequisites and is, therefore, easier to obtain.

How long does training take?

Firebrand’s CISSP course takes only 7 days and includes the CISSP exam, which you’ll sit during your stay at the Firebrand Training Centre.
Alternatively, the SSCP certification is shorter, taking just 5 days with Firebrand. The SSCP course also includes the official ISC2 exam.

Train fast with Firebrand

For the past twelve years in a row, we’ve been named one of the Top 20 IT Training Companies in the World.

We offer accelerated courses and training solutions for you and your team.

Perhaps one of them is right for you? 

See all our ISC2 courses.