(ISC)² Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

Computer certification programs are setting the standards for the information technology (IT) industry worldwide. Although most careers in the IT and communications fields are lucrative and lead to rapid advancement, you can move ahead even more rapidly if you have been certified. In fact, you often can earn a salary increase of 20% or more once you become certified. Nowadays, having a degree in computer science just isn't enough. Companies are demanding that their IT professionals be certified as a way to measure their skills as well as to guarantee that they can perform their jobs successfully. In short, certification will help a computer professional get a good job and stay competitive in what is now a highly demanding IT environment.

This training would be beneficial for individuals looking for IT job positions such as: Information Security Specialist, Network Security Specialist, Network Security Administrator, Senior Network Security Specialist, IT Security Manager or a Chief Security Officer.

ISC² certification validates the latest skills needed by today's computer security professionals. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification recognized by major hardware and software vendors, distributors and resellers. SSCP credential offers information security tacticians, with implementation orientations, the opportunity to demonstrate their level of competence with the seven domains of the compendium of best practices for information security.

PREREQUISITES:
To earn the SSCP credential, a candidate must successfully complete two separate processes: Examination and Certification.

I. Examination

• To sit for the SSCP examination, a candidate must:
• Submit the examination fee,
• Assert that he or she possesses a minimum of one year of professional experience in the information security field,
• Complete the Certification Agreement, attesting to the truth of his or her assertions regarding professional experience, and legally commit to abide by the (ISC) Code of Ethics, and
• Successfully answer four questions regarding criminal history and related background.

II. Certification

• Pass the SSCP examination with a scaled score of 700 points or greater.
• Submit a properly completed and executed Endorsement Form, which must be endorsed by a (ISC) credential holder before the credential can be awarded.

The exam is based on these objectives:

• Access Controls
• Administration
• Auditing and Monitoring
• Risk, Response, and Recovery
• Cryptography
• Data Communications
• Malicious Code