Overview
AWS Security Specialty is a AWS credential. Detection, incident response, IAM, infrastructure security and data protection on AWS. This PathKey™ guide summarizes the domains, format, cost signals, eligibility, and renewal pattern so you can decide before you book. Accumentum is a AWS Authorized Training Partner and an Army CA and Air Force COOL Approved Vendor. AWS sets exam content, fees, and policies.
Accumentum is a AWS Authorized Training Partner and an Army CA and Air Force COOL Approved Vendor. AWS sets exam content, fees, and policies.
Who it is for
- Cloud security engineers and analysts.
- Security architects working with AWS.
- SOC staff who cover cloud workloads.
Exam domains
Weights follow the official outline.
- 01
Detection
16%Design and implement monitoring and alerting solutions for an AWS account or organization, Design and implement logging solutions, and Troubleshoot security monitoring, logging, and alerting solutions.
- 02
Incident Response
14%Design and test an incident response plan, and Respond to security events.
- 03
Infrastructure Security
18%Design, implement, and troubleshoot security controls for network edge services, Design, implement, and troubleshoot security controls for compute workloads, and Design and troubleshoot network security controls.
- 04
Identity and Access Management
20%Design, implement, and troubleshoot authentication strategies, and Design, implement, and troubleshoot authorization strategies.
- 05
Data Protection
18%Design and implement controls for data in transit, Design and implement controls for data at rest, and Design and implement controls to protect confidential data, credentials, secrets, and cryptographic key materials.
- 06
Security Foundations and Governance
14%Develop a strategy to centrally deploy and manage AWS accounts, Implement a secure and consistent deployment strategy for cloud resources, and Evaluate the compliance of AWS resources.
Exam format and cost
- Questions
- 65
- Duration
- Confirm on the vendor site
- Format
- Confirm question format on the vendor outline
- Passing score
- Confirm the passing score on the vendor site
- Cost
- 300 USD (confirm on the vendor site)
- Delivery
- Pearson VUE test center or online where the vendor offers it
- Languages
- Confirm available languages on the vendor site
Experience and eligibility
AWS doesn't require another certification first, and we don't have enrollment prerequisites either. Hands-on time securing AWS workloads helps a lot. Solutions Architect Associate or CloudOps Engineer Associate is a good first step.
Renewal
Renewal rules for AWS Security Specialty are set by AWS. Many credentials use a multi-year cycle with continuing education, a renewal fee, or a newer exam. Confirm the current cycle on the vendor site.
Roles this credential fits
- Detection, incident response, infrastructure security, identity and access management, data protection, and security foundations and governance, mapped to the six SCS-C03 domains.
- Security
- Teams standardizing on this credential for hiring or compliance
AWS Security Specialty questions
Is AWS Security Specialty worth it?
AWS Security Specialty is worth it when employers or contracts in your market ask for AWS proof, or when the domains match work you already do or want next. Common roles include Detection, incident response, infrastructure security, identity and access management, data protection, and security foundations and governance, mapped to the six SCS-C03 domains., Security, and Teams standardizing on this credential for hiring or compliance. Read the roles and domains on this page, then decide against your timeline and budget.
How hard is AWS Security Specialty?
You get 65 questions in Confirm on the vendor site. Format: Confirm question format on the vendor outline. Passing score: Confirm the passing score on the vendor site. Delivery: Pearson VUE test center or online where the vendor offers it. AWS doesn't require another certification first, and we don't have enrollment prerequisites either. People who pass usually mix domain study with timed practice, not reading alone.
Does AWS Security Specialty expire?
Renewal rules for AWS Security Specialty are set by AWS. Many credentials use a multi-year cycle with continuing education, a renewal fee, or a newer exam. Confirm the current cycle on the vendor site.
How does Accumentum help with AWS Security Specialty?
We offer Expert-led training mapped to the AWS Security Specialty domains, PathPay® payment options, PathPass™ practice where the exam is in our catalog, a free ReadyScore™ so you can see where you stand before class, and military funding support where you qualify. We are an Army CA and Air Force COOL Approved Vendor. Our pass rate across Accumentum certification attempts since August 2022 is 98.8% (2,412 certified of about 2,441 attempts).
How much does the AWS Security Specialty exam cost?
Exam voucher pricing for AWS Security Specialty is set by AWS and varies by region and bundle. Confirm the current price on the official store before you buy. PathPay® can spread Accumentum course tuition when you train with us.
What are the AWS Security Specialty prerequisites?
AWS doesn't require another certification first, and we don't have enrollment prerequisites either. Hands-on time securing AWS workloads helps a lot. Solutions Architect Associate or CloudOps Engineer Associate is a good first step.
What should I take after AWS Security Specialty?
After AWS Security Specialty, pick the next credential that matches the job you want, not a generic ladder. Use the roles on this page and neighboring PathKey™ guides from the same vendor to plan the sequence. If you need a readiness check first, start with ReadyScore™ when we offer one for this exam.
Official sources
Always confirm fees, dates, and eligibility on the vendor site before you register. Vendors change outlines and prices without notice.