Frequently Asked Questions
General Inquiries
What is the cost of an exam?
Token price varies depending on the exam. A CCSK exam token costs $445, and a CCZT exam token costs $175. Each exam token provides you with two test attempts.
Why can't I see the correct answers once I have completed the exam?
In an effort to maintain the integrity of the exams, the platform is designed to avoid giving out the answers to specific questions. In order to assist those that do not pass the test to study for future attempts the exam platform will provide the user with the number of questions asked from each domain and how many questions were answered correctly in each of the domains. This information is available for each attempt and can be found in the Exam Results section of the CSA Exams platform.
Is the exam timed? How many questions? Is it open book?
The CCSK v5 and CCZT exams are 120 minutes. Both exams have 60 questions and are open book. Each exam features a set of questions randomly generated from a diverse pool, covering various domains. Since this is a timed exam and some questions can be lengthy, it is recommended that you rely as little as possible on study materials.
The CCSK v4 exam is 90 minutes.
Can I pause my exam to complete it later?
It is not possible to pause or stop the examination and finish it at a later date. Therefore, you should be prepared to take the full exam before starting it. While you can choose to take the test any time of the day or night, you should budget for 120 minutes of uninterrupted time once you make the commitment to start the exam.
Do I need to schedule a testing date or find a testing facility?
No. The exam is available online at any time. This means that there is no scheduling option and that you can take the exam whenever you are ready.
Are the results of the exam immediate?
Yes, the results are immediate. You will know your score after you finish the exam.
Can you send me an invoice?
To download a copy of your invoice from the CSA Exams platform, navigate to your "Account" and choose to view your "Order History". You will see the option to download your invoice as a PDF. Contact us if you need any changes made to your invoice.
Are there testing accommodations for individuals with learning disabilities who need extra time on the exam?
To request accommodations, please contact us and we will consider your circumstances.
Are there training courses available? How much does a training course cost? Where can I find training courses?
There are different types of trainings courses available (online self-paced, online and in-person instructor led). To see offerings of individual training partners, go to the course schedule and select the register button.
Do I have to take a training class to take an exam?
No, you can prepare for the exams by self-study. The training courses are for a more in-depth understanding of the study materials. For more information about what to study, see the FAQ for the exam you wish to take.
What should I do if I experience problems with the Exams site during the exam?
If you have any problems with the test itself, or other extenuating circumstances, such as network outages that inhibit your ability to complete the test, please contact us and we will consider your circumstances.
How do I claim my Digital Badge for the CCSK or the CCZT?
To claim your CCSK or CCZT digital badge, log in to the CSA Exams platform using the email associated with your exam. In the menu, under "Exams" click on "Exam Results". If you have already claimed your badge, it should say "View badge" to the right of the passed exam attempt.
If you have not yet claimed your badge, click on "Claim badge" next to your passed exam attempt. When asked to opt-in, accept. You must grant permission to CSA to pass your certificate details to Credly. If you do not already have a Credly account, set one up using the link sent to your email after opting in, and you will receive next steps there!
Tokens and Certificates
How long is my exam token valid?
Exam tokens are valid for 2 years from the date of purchase. We do, however, recommend that you take the exam within one year of your token purchase.
Do I have to take the exam immediately after purchasing or redeeming a token?
No, you may use your attempts at any time before your token expiration date.
If I fail my first exam attempt, will I get another chance?
Yes, standard tokens are good for two attempts at the exam. If you fail a second time you will need to purchase another token should you wish to attempt the exam again.
If I fail my first attempt, is there a waiting period between exam attempts?
No. There is no enforced waiting period between attempts or token purchases. However, we recommend taking time to study after failing an attempt. See the CCSK and CCZT FAQ sections for more information about study materials.
Can my employer verify my certificate?
On the CSA Exams homepage , scroll down to the section titled "Verify Certificate". Here, your employer can verify your certificate using the verification code printed on your certificate and the primary email address of your CSA Exams account.
Can I have my certificate reflect my professional name and show my business email address?
Your certificate displays the name and primary email of your CSA Exams platform account. See the Account FAQ section for information on how to update your name and email.
Will I be mailed my certificate?
We do not send out hard copies of individual certificates. If you wish to see your certificate you can log into your account and download it in PDF format. To download the certificate PDF, navigate to "Exams Results" and locate your passing attempt.
Account
Can I change my password?
Yes, you can update your password once logged into your CSA Exams account under Account > Security.
Can I change my email address?
To update your email, navigate to your "Account". Under "Account Details", update your Backup Email to be the new desired email.
Once your Backup Email has been updated, you can reach out to us at [email protected] to request your primary and backup emails be swapped.
Please note: This request must come from the primary or backup email on your CSA Exams account.
How do I change my name in my account?
To update your name, navigate to your "Account" and make the desired changes to your "Account Details".
I cannot remember my password. Can you reset it for me?
Please use our password reset form, once you have an account, to reset your password.
I no longer have access to the primary email on my CSA Exams account. How can I regain access to my CSA Exams account?
If you are able to log into your CSA Exams account, follow the process to change your email address in the Account FAQ. If you cannot log into CSA Exams, you can contact us for further assistance.
Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) Exam
In which languages is the CCSK exam offered?
The CCSK v5 exam is only offered in English. The CCSK v4 exam will remain available until January 1, 2026, and is offered in English, Spanish, and Japanese.
What is the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK)?
The Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) is widely recognized as the standard of expertise for cloud security and gives you a cohesive and vendor-neutral understanding of how to secure data in the cloud. The CCSK credential is the foundation to prepare you to earn additional cloud credentials specific to certain vendors or job functions.
How does the CCSK v5 set the standard for industry certificates?
The CCSK v5 certificate is at the forefront of cloud security education, incorporating the latest advancements in organizational management, cloud-native security, workload, network security, security monitoring, data security, and the latest strategic drivers such as AI and Zero Trust. It uniquely balances foundational knowledge with an exploration of specialized topics, emphasizing the practical application of security principles in real-world scenarios. This comprehensive curriculum equips professionals with actionable skills, enabling them to effectively address modern challenges in complex cloud environments and set new standards in the industry.
Does the CCSK have industry support?
Several public institutions, including national agencies, regulators, ministries, as well as private companies from the Fortune 500, have adopted the CCSK as a core component of their internal cloud security training programs. This widespread adoption highlights CCSK’s foundational role and significance in enhancing cloud security expertise.
What is the latest version of the CCSK examination?
The latest CCSK version (CCSK v5) was made available July 16, 2024.
What is the cost of the exam registration (token)?
Effective July 16, 2024, the CCSK v5 exam token price is $445 USD.
How do I take the CCSK exam?
You can take the exam by completing the following steps:
- Prepare for the exam through self-study using our free CCSK Prep-Kit or by participating in a CCSK Training.
- Register at the CSA Exams website.
- Purchase a CCSK exam token (unless one was provided in your training package).
Do I need to take the CCSK Foundation course before I can take the CCSK Plus course?
No, the CCSK Foundation is a lecture course covering the concepts introduced in the CSA Security Guidance v5 and is designed to prepare students to pass the CCSK exam. The CCSK Plus course covers all the foundational material, and in addition includes hands-on labs to gain practical experience working in a cloud environment.
Will my CCSK certificate expire?
No, your CCSK certificate will not expire. However, information technologies in general, and cloud computing in particular, are rapidly progressing fields, and it is advisable to stay up-to-date with the most current version of the CCSK certificate.
Are there study materials for the exam?
To prepare for the CCSK, you can choose to study on your own or enroll in a training.
Study on Your Own: You can study on your own using our free CCSK Prep-Kit which includes a knowledge guide, an FAQ, a study guide, and additional resources.
Enroll in Training: The CCSK Foundation course is designed to prepare students to take the CCSK exam. You can take the course at your own pace online or attend an instructor-led course, available both online and in person. Learn more about training options on our education page.
What is the body of knowledge covered?
The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) has developed a widely adopted catalogue of security best practices, which are condensed into the CCSK v5 Study Guide. The CCSK v5 body of knowledge includes topics such as Zero Trust, DevSecOps, Cloud Telemetry and Security Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, and more.
The Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) provides evidence that an individual has successfully completed an examination covering the key and foundational concepts of cloud security as defined in the CCSK Study Guide body of knowledge.
Is the CCSK exam token (test attempt) included in the training class, or do I have to purchase that separately?
It depends on the training purchased. If you choose to study on your own without a course, you will need to purchase an exam token.
When purchasing a self-paced course, be sure to review the course description to determine if a token is included. The CCSK Foundation course is available as a stand-alone course, with no token included, while the CCSK Foundation Exam Bundle does include an exam token.
The instructor led CCSK Foundation courses include an exam token.
Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust
What is the Certificate of Competence in Zero Trust (CCZT)?
The (CCZT) is a web-based examination of an individual's competency in zero trust knowledge and concepts. Launched in 2023, the (CCZT) is a culmination of knowledge from experts in cloud security and zero trust. We aim to make (CCZT) the industry's primary benchmark for measuring zero trust skillsets.
How do I take the Zero Trust exam?
You can take the exam by completing the following steps:
- Prepare for the exam through self-study using our CCZT Prep-Kit or by participating in a CCZT Training.
- Register at the CSA Exams website.
- Purchase a CCZT exam token (unless one was provided in your training package).
Will my Zero Trust certificate expire?
No, your certificate will not expire. However, information technologies in general, and cloud computing in particular, are rapidly progressing fields, and it is advisable to stay up-to-date with the most current version of the certificate.
Are there study materials for the exam?
To prepare for the CCZT, you can choose to study on your own or enroll in training.
Study on Your Own: You can study on your own using our free prep-kit which includes a knowledge guide, an FAQ, a study guide, and three authoritative sources.
Enroll in Training: The CCZT course is designed to prepare students to take the CCZT exam. You can take the course at your own pace online or attend an instructor-led course, available both online and in person. Learn more about training options on our education page.
What is the body of knowledge covered?
The CCZT exam contains materials sources from CSA's CCZT training, NSTAC Report, CISA ZT Maturity Model, NIST 800-207, and more.
Is the CCZT exam token included in the training class, or do I have to purchase that separately?
A CCZT exam token is included in the CCZT Exam Bundle, which includes all necessary training to prepare for the exam. If you would like to purchase the token separately, you can do so here on the CSA Exams platform.