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Compare certifications

Pick up to 3 certifications and compare them side-by-side on cost, exam format, recertification, salary signal, quality, and domain coverage.

CompTIA · professional
Cloud+
CompTIA Cloud+

CompTIA Cloud+

Official page
Cloud Security Alliance · professional
CSA CCSK
Cloud Security Alliance Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge

The CCSK from the Cloud Security Alliance is one of the most widespread vendor-neutral cloud security certifications worldwide. It is based on three core sources: the CSA Security Guidance v4, the ENISA Cloud Computing Risk Assessment, and the CSA Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM). The exam is fully online and open-book — this lowers the entry barrier but also means less practical proof than e.g. CCSP. No professional experience required, no expiration date. Good as an entry point into cloud security and as preparation for the CCSP, but not a strong career building block on its own.

Official page

Cost

Exam fee
Cloud+$358
CSA CCSK$295
Annual maintenance fee
Cloud+
CSA CCSK
3-year cost of ownership
Cloud+$358
CSA CCSK$295

Exam mechanics

Pass mark
Cloud+750/900 (~83%)
CSA CCSK80% (60/75 questions correct)
Retake policy
Cloud+$404 fee · 0d wait
CSA CCSK$0 fee · 0d wait
Study time
Cloud+60–120 hrs
CSA CCSK40–100 hrs
Validity
Cloud+3 yrs
CSA CCSK
CPE / yr
Cloud+17 CPEs
CSA CCSK
Delivery
Cloud+mixed
CSA CCSK

Salary signal (US base)

Range
Cloud+$80K – $120K
CSA CCSK$90K – $130K
Median
Cloud+$95,000
CSA CCSK$108,000
Premium %
Cloud+
CSA CCSK
Role context
Cloud+Cloud generalist / multi-cloud admin, US, 2-4 years.
CSA CCSKCloud security analyst / cloud generalist, US, 2–5 years.

Quality (4-axis rubric · 0–10)

Schema quality
Cloud+7.0
CSA CCSK7.5
Practice evidence
Cloud+5.0
CSA CCSK3.5
Maintenance
Cloud+7.5
CSA CCSK8.0
Market recognition
Cloud+6.5
CSA CCSK7.5
Average
Cloud+6.5
CSA CCSK6.6

Recognition & lifecycle

Recognition
Cloud+Global
CSA CCSKGlobal
ISO 17024 accredited
Cloud+
CSA CCSK
DoD 8140 baseline
Cloud+
CSA CCSK
Holders worldwide
Cloud+20,000
CSA CCSK
Current version
Cloud+CV0-003 (2021-08)
CSA CCSKv5 (2024-04)

Domain coverage

A5Cloud Security
Cloud+● core
CSA CCSK● core

Browse the full catalog or open any one of these on its detail page for full study materials, peer comparisons, and lifecycle notes.