Alternatives to the AWS Certified Security - Specialty Certification for Cloud Security Practitioners

Comparable cloud security credentials from other providers, reviewed side by side

Security practitioners who know the AWS Security Specialty may want to compare it with credentials from other organizations. The reviewed options below pair a Google Cloud security engineering credential with a vendor-neutral cloud security credential from ISC2, each considered for its own reasons.

AWS Security Specialty alternativesAWS Certified Security - Specialty Search Certifications by Filters

Why compare

Security credentials to weigh next to AWS Security Specialty

Every option beside the Security - Specialty credential is a comparable one. Google Cloud offers a security engineering credential tied to its own platform, while ISC2 offers a cloud security credential that is not tied to one provider. They are reviewed, not ranked.

Starting point

Reference facts

AWS Certified Security - Specialty

Amazon Web Services

Level: Specialty
Credential type: Professional certification
Exam type: Written
Study time: 90-160h
Known price: $300

Full certification details

Comparable

Comparable options to AWS Certified Security - Specialty

Credentials aimed at a similar goal and level, from another angle or provider. A similar purpose does not make them interchangeable.

Google Cloud

Professional Cloud Security Engineer

Google Cloud counterpart for cloud security engineers

Cloud security engineers who work primarily on Google Cloud can treat this as the platform-specific counterpart to the AWS security specialty.

Who it suits

Suits security engineers whose organizations run on Google Cloud, or who work in multi-cloud settings. People focused on AWS will gain more from the AWS credential.

Key differences

It covers securing infrastructure, workloads, identities, and data protection on Google Cloud, not AWS services.
Both are written exams for practitioners with hands-on cloud security responsibilities, so the assessment style is similar.
The decision mostly follows your employer's cloud platform, since the services and controls differ.

Level: Professional
Assessment: Written
Study time: 80-140h
Listed from: $200

ISC2

ISC2 Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

Vendor-neutral cloud security credential

Professionals who work across providers may prefer a vendor-neutral cloud security credential instead of one tied to AWS services.

Who it suits

Fits security professionals who support several cloud platforms or want concepts that transfer between providers. Practitioners who configure AWS controls daily may find the AWS credential more directly applicable.

Key differences

It covers cloud security concepts across data, applications, platforms, and infrastructure rather than specific AWS service configuration.
It is more architectural and governance-oriented, whereas the AWS credential focuses on detection, response, IAM, and data protection within AWS.
It carries ISC2's professional community and body of knowledge, which is useful when your work spans multiple cloud providers.

Level: Specialty
Assessment: Written
Study time: 90-180h
Listed from: $599

Side by side

How the options compare on the record

Structured facts from each certification record, with AWS Certified Security - Specialty as the reference row. Prices and exam details change, so check the provider before deciding.

Certification	Compared for	Level	Assessment	Study time	Listed from
AWS Certified Security - Specialty Amazon Web Services	Reference	Specialty	Written	90-160h	$300
Professional Cloud Security Engineer Google Cloud	Comparable	Professional	Written	80-140h	$200
ISC2 Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) ISC2	Comparable	Specialty	Written	90-180h	$599

Next steps

Narrow your choice beyond AWS Security Specialty

Start with whether you protect workloads on one cloud or across several, then compare provider fit, level, and assessment style on each detail page. If neither option matches, use certification search to look at other security certifications.

Search more certifications

Discover More AWS Cloud Security Certifications and Related Skills

Expand your cloud security knowledge by exploring other AWS certifications, related domains like Identity and Access Management, or relevant professional roles. Compare credential paths to further your expertise in securing complex AWS environments and workloads.