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AWS Security Specialty
Exam Code: SCS-C02
Validate your expertise in securing AWS workloads. The go-to certification for cloud security professionals working with Amazon Web Services.
- Exam Cost
- $300
- Exam Duration
- 2h 50m
- Passing Score
- 750
- Salary Boost
- +37%
Overview
AWS Certified Security - Specialty validates your expertise in securing AWS environments. As organizations increasingly move to the cloud, this certification demonstrates your ability to implement security controls, detect threats, and protect data in AWS.
The SCS-C02 exam (released 2023) covers:
- AWS security services and features
- Threat detection and incident response
- Identity and access management
- Data protection and encryption
- Compliance and governance
Who Should Get This Certification?
AWS Security Specialty is ideal for:
- Cloud security engineers securing AWS workloads
- Security architects designing cloud security
- DevSecOps engineers integrating security into pipelines
- Compliance professionals managing AWS governance
- Security consultants advising on AWS security
Prerequisites: AWS recommends 5+ years of IT security experience and 2+ years specifically securing AWS workloads.
Exam Format
The SCS-C02 exam includes:
- 65 questions (multiple choice and multiple response)
- 170 minutes to complete
- Passing score: 750 (on 100-1000 scale)
- Proctored at Pearson VUE centers or online
Study Timeline
| Experience Level | Recommended Study Time |
|---|---|
| Active AWS security role | 4-6 weeks |
| General AWS experience | 8-10 weeks |
| Limited AWS exposure | 12-16 weeks |
Key AWS Security Services
-
Identity & Access Management
- IAM policies and roles
- AWS Organizations
- AWS SSO / IAM Identity Center
- AWS STS
-
Detection & Monitoring
- Amazon GuardDuty
- AWS Security Hub
- Amazon Detective
- CloudTrail, CloudWatch
-
Infrastructure Protection
- AWS WAF
- AWS Shield
- Security Groups, NACLs
- AWS Firewall Manager
-
Data Protection
- AWS KMS, CloudHSM
- S3 encryption options
- Secrets Manager
- Certificate Manager
Career Impact
AWS Security Specialty holders are in high demand:
- Average salary: $130,000 (US)
- 37% salary premium over non-certified
- Required for many cloud security roles
- Valued across all industries moving to AWS
Preparation Resources
- AWS Skill Builder - Official training courses
- AWS Security Blog - Latest best practices
- AWS Well-Architected Security Pillar - Framework guidance
- Hands-on Labs - A Cloud Guru, Adrian Cantrill
Exam Domains
Threat Detection and Incident Response
14%
Security Logging and Monitoring
18%
Infrastructure Security
20%
Identity and Access Management
16%
Data Protection
18%
Management and Security Governance
14%
Salary Impact
Average Before
$95,000
Average After
$130,000
Average Increase
$35,000 (+37%)
Source: AWS Certification Global Salary Report 2024
Prerequisites
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate or equivalent
- 2+ years of AWS workload security experience
- 5+ years of IT security experience
Related Careers
Key Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is AWS Security Specialty?
It's an advanced certification requiring 5+ years security experience and 2+ years with AWS. The exam covers deep knowledge of IAM, KMS, GuardDuty, and Security Hub.
Should I get Solutions Architect before Security Specialty?
AWS recommends it but doesn't require it. Having SA Associate helps understand the AWS services that Security Specialty builds upon.
AWS Security Specialty vs Azure AZ-500?
AWS Security is more advanced and expensive ($300 vs $165). Choose based on your organization's cloud platform. Many professionals get both.
What AWS services should I focus on?
Master IAM policies, KMS/CloudHSM, GuardDuty, Security Hub, CloudTrail, Config, and WAF. These appear heavily on the exam.
Related Certifications
MicrosoftAzure Security Engineer Associate
Validate your ability to secure Microsoft Azure environments. The essential certification for security professionals working with Azure cloud services.
GoogleGoogle Cloud Professional Cloud Security Engineer
Validate your expertise in designing and implementing secure Google Cloud infrastructure. The premier GCP security certification for cloud professionals.