Hello everyone! I’m excited to share my certification journey, which has taken me from the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) to the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP). Both exams tested my knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and perseverance — but each in its own unique way.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the resources I used, the strategies that helped me pass on my first attempt, and the lessons I learned along the way. Whether you’re aiming for CISSP, CCSP, or any other cybersecurity credential, I hope you’ll find something valuable here.

Part I: Conquering the CISSP

Why CISSP?

CISSP is often considered the gold standard for cybersecurity professionals because it covers a wide range of topics — from security operations and risk management to cryptography and network security. If you want to showcase a robust, well-rounded understanding of cybersecurity, CISSP is a solid choice.

Resources I Used

• Books
• Destination Certification CISSP (Kindle) by Destination Certification Inc.
• Practice Questions
• Learnzapp (1,600 questions)
• Study Notes
• Mike Chapple’s Last Minute Review (16 pages)
• Thor Pedersen’s Quick Notes (ThorTeaches)
• Videos
• Prabh Nair Coffee Talks
• Kelly Handerhan — “Why You Will Pass the CISSP” (YouTube)
• Andrew Ramdayal’s “50 Hard Questions” (YouTube)
• Destination Certification Mindmaps (YouTube)

Key Mindset: “Managerial or Security Consultant”

One of the most critical insights for CISSP is that you need to think like a security consultant or manager when answering questions. It’s not just about the technical nuts and bolts; it’s about prioritizing actions, assessing risk, and making informed decisions that align with an organization’s business goals and security needs.

Pro Tip: Always ask yourself, “What’s the most reasonable action for an organization to take?” rather than “What’s technically possible?”

Lessons Learned

• Learn the Why, Not Just the What: Understanding the underlying reasons for each security measure helps you answer scenario-based questions.
• Practice, Practice, Practice: Utilizing multiple question banks, mock tests, and review sessions can boost your confidence and reveal areas you need to revisit.
• Stay Motivated: The CISSP exam can feel overwhelming. Keep a steady study schedule, break down the domains into manageable parts, and track your progress.

Part II: Venturing into Cloud Security with CCSP

Why CCSP?

After the CISSP, I wanted to dive deeper into cloud security — a vital area as more organizations migrate workloads to platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP. The CCSP certification provided a structured way to formalize and expand my cloud security expertise.

Resources I Used

• Books

1. Destination Certification CCSP (Kindle Edition) by Destination Certification Inc.
2. CCSP Cloud Guardians

• Practice Questions

1. Learnzapp (1,000 questions)
2. PocketPrep (862 questions)

• Study Guides

1. CCSP Last Minute Guide by Mike Chapple
2. Cirrus 8000ft Notes by Prashant Mohan (CISSP-ISSAP, CCSP)
3. SkillCertPro CCSP Master Cheat Sheet

• Community Support

1. Coffee Talks by Prabh Nair
2. CCSP Cram Slides by Pete Zerger (vCISO, CISSP)

Observations & Challenges

• Even Tougher Than CISSP? In my opinion, the CCSP exam was more challenging than CISSP. The questions were highly detailed, scenario-driven, and sometimes ambiguous.
• Practice Question Gap: The question style in PocketPrep or Learnzapp didn’t always match the complexity of the real exam. They were helpful for drilling core concepts, but I had to rely on deeper study and hands-on cloud experience to truly prepare.
• Hands-On Knowledge: Familiarity with at least one major cloud provider — AWS, Azure, or GCP — significantly helped in understanding real-world cloud security issues.

Winning Techniques

1. Elimination Method: Often, you’ll narrow down to two plausible answers. Training yourself to spot the subtly “less correct” option can be the difference between passing and failing.
2. Real-World Application: CCSP questions frequently involve practical scenarios. Linking the theory to actual experience with cloud services makes it easier to choose the right solution.

Pro Tip: Take advantage of free tiers from cloud providers. Hands-on experimenting will reinforce your theoretical understanding.

Final Thoughts & Gratitude

Earning both the CISSP and the CCSP has been an intense yet rewarding journey. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the authors, instructors, and the cybersecurity community for their resources and support. Your encouragement and shared wisdom truly made all the difference.

Advice for Future Aspirants

• Stay Determined: Both CISSP and CCSP require persistence. Set up a consistent study schedule and celebrate small wins along the way.
• Leverage Community: Don’t underestimate the power of discussion forums, study groups, and community-driven content like Coffee Talks or cram sessions.
• Think Big Picture: Whether you’re focusing on management-level strategies (CISSP) or cloud-based security solutions (CCSP), always keep the broader security and business context in mind.

Thank You for Reading!
If you have questions, insights, or want to share your own certification journey, feel free to drop a comment. Best of luck on your path to cybersecurity excellence!