CCISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity
Created per CertMap methodology · Updated 12 May 2026 · About the editorial team →
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Overview
What is CC?
The CC is ISC2's entry-level certification without experience requirements and explicitly targets career starters, career changers, and students. Notably, ISC2 periodically offers CC training and the exam for free (as part of the 'One Million Certified' initiative), which has significantly increased market penetration. Content covers five domains: Security Principles, Incident Response, Access Control, Network Security, and Security Operations – at a solid but intentionally broad entry level. As a stepping stone to SSCP or CISSP it is well-suited; as a standalone credential it carries less weight than Security+. A revised exam outline takes effect on 1 September 2026, the first content update since the certification launched in 2022: the five domains remain but are renamed and re-weighted, and ISC2 spreads foundational AI topics across all of them.
Quick facts
Key details
Cost, prerequisites, exam & renewal
Cost over 5 years
Prerequisites
None. Entry-level certification without professional experience.
Exam format
100 multiple-choice questions, 2 hours, proctored via Pearson VUE.
Renewal & maintenance
Valid for 3 years. 15 CPE credits/year + annual AMF (50 USD). Free exam for first-time candidates.
Classification
CertMap score and matching roles
Rating
Matching NICE roles
More certifications
More certifications
From ISC2
CCSP(ISC)2 Certified Cloud Security ProfessionalCISSP(ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalHCISPPHealthCare Information Security and Privacy PractitionerISSAPInformation Systems Security Architecture ProfessionalISSEPInformation Systems Security Engineering ProfessionalISSMPInformation Systems Security Management ProfessionalSSCP(ISC)2 Systems Security Certified PractitionerIn GRC
CASP+CompTIACGEITISACACRISCISACAGSEGIACGSECGIACPECB 22301FPECBPECB 22301LIPECBPECB 22301SLIPECBPECB 27001LIPECBPECB 27001SLIPECBPECB 27001TPECBPECB 31000FPECBPECB 31000LRMPECBPECB Cybersecurity FoundationPECBPECB DORA FoundationPECBPECB DORA Lead ManagerPECBPECB Lead Cybersecurity ManagerPECBPECB NIS2LIPECBSecurity+CompTIASSCPISC2T.I.S.P.TeleTrusTThis page follows CertMap methodology: editorial content is curated by hand. Score, costs and NICE mapping are aggregated from official provider documents. Score methodology → · TCO methodology →
Transparency: CertMap is operated by Daniel Thomas Heessel, who is also managing director of Threat‑Informed, a company specialising in Threat‑Informed Defense. CertMap currently receives no commissions from certification providers, no affiliate links, no sponsored placements. Podcast and interview guests are not paid for appearances and receive no affiliate commissions.
From the knowledge base
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CISM oder CISA? Zwei ISACA-Wege, eine Richtungsentscheidung
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CC oder Security+? Der Gratis-Einstieg und der Arbeitsmarkt-Klassiker
Beide sind Einsteiger-Zertifikate ohne Zulassungshürde, beide decken die Grundlagen der Cybersicherheit ab, und trotzdem stehen sie für verschiedene Strategien: das eine als niedrigschwelliger, zeitweise kostenloser Start, das andere als etablierter Nachweis mit Gewicht im Arbeitsmarkt. Der Vergleich mit den Zahlen und der gegenläufigen Kostenlogik.
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