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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.

GIAC · associate
GCLD
GIAC Cloud Security Essentials

GIAC Cloud Security Essentials

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
GCLD$979
CSA CCSK$295
Annual maintenance fee
GCLD
CSA CCSK
3-year cost of ownership
GCLD$979
CSA CCSK$295

Exam mechanics

Pass mark
GCLD60% (scaled per attempt)
CSA CCSK80% (60/75 questions correct)
Retake policy
GCLD$999 fee · 30d wait
CSA CCSK$0 fee · 0d wait
Study time
GCLD60–120 hrs
CSA CCSK40–100 hrs
Validity
GCLD4 yrs
CSA CCSK
CPE / yr
GCLD9 CPEs
CSA CCSK
Delivery
GCLDmixed
CSA CCSK

Salary signal (US base)

Range
GCLD$95K – $145K
CSA CCSK$90K – $130K
Median
GCLD$115,000
CSA CCSK$108,000
Premium %
GCLD
CSA CCSK
Role context
GCLDCloud security analyst (entry-mid), US, 2-4 years.
CSA CCSKCloud security analyst / cloud generalist, US, 2–5 years.

Quality (4-axis rubric · 0–10)

Schema quality
GCLD8.0
CSA CCSK7.5
Practice evidence
GCLD5.5
CSA CCSK3.5
Maintenance
GCLD8.0
CSA CCSK8.0
Market recognition
GCLD5.5
CSA CCSK7.5
Average
GCLD6.8
CSA CCSK6.6

Recognition & lifecycle

Recognition
GCLDGlobal
CSA CCSKGlobal
ISO 17024 accredited
GCLD
CSA CCSK
DoD 8140 baseline
GCLD
CSA CCSK
Holders worldwide
GCLD
CSA CCSK
Current version
GCLD2024 SEC388 refresh (2024-04)
CSA CCSKv5 (2024-04)

Domain coverage

A5Cloud Security
GCLD● core
CSA CCSK● core

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