My Journey to Successfully Achieve the CCSP Certification
Successfully passing the CCSP exam at the end of November last year was no easy feat, but with the right preparation and mindset, it was absolutely achievable.
**Background:**
Months prior to the CCSP, I laid a strong "cloud foundation" by earning the following cloud certifications:
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- AWS Solutions Architect – Associate
- AWS Security Specialty
- CCSK
The AWS Cloud Practitioner certification offered a fantastic high-level overview of cloud concepts. Fueled by my passion for cloud security, I delved deeper into the subject by achieving the AWS Solutions Architect – Associate and AWS Security Specialty certifications.
As my interest in cloud security grew (and it still grewing 😉), I took on the CCSK exam from the Cloud Security Alliance, paving the way toward my CCSP certification.
With the CCSK complete, I eagerly prepared for the CCSP exam, carefully reviewing the exam outline and expectations while utilizing a range of study materials:
Courses
• Luke Ahmed course incl. questions bank (11/10)
• Pete Zergers CCSP course on YouTube (9/10)
• Ben Malisow on wannabeccsp (8/10)
• Gwen Bettwy on Udemy CCSP (7/10)
• ISC2 Official CCSP Course (6/10)
Study Guides
• CCSP Official Textbook 5th Edition (through the course) (8/10)
• Destination CCSP: The Comprehensive Guide (10/10)
• CCSP for Dummies 2nd
• Security Guidance v5
• CIRRUS-8000-ft-of-CCSP by Prahant Mohan (9/10)
Review it multiple times as a refresher. It contains most of what you
need. Great write-up.
Practice Questions
• Boson Test Banks (6/10)
• ISC2 Certified Cloud Security Professional Official Practice 3rd (8/10)
• Learnzapp (8/10)
• Pocket Prep (8/10)
• WannabeaCCSP (9/10)
• Destination Certification CCSP incl. Flashcards (9/10)
• ISC2 Official Practice questions (included in the course) (9/10)
• Luke Ahmed CCSP Questions (10/10)
Review Sites
• Luke Ahmed CCSP Notes (10/10)
• Destination CCSP “Domain Summaries” + “Mindmaps” (10/10)
• DestCertPrintableMindMaps2023 (9/10)
• Alukos (9/10)
TIP: I also used ChatGPT when I needed a different style of answer or
explanation. It was quite helpful.
When discussing Luke's CCSP course, it's important to recognize its distinct advantages over other offerings in the field. While there are certainly commendable courses available, Luke's CCSP course stands out as an exceptional investment. He expertly communicates complex concepts in a manner that is both accessible and engaging, which is crucial for mastering the content. The course material is not only of high quality but is also thoughtfully
curated to facilitate deep understanding. Luke's passion for the subject matter is evident in his teaching style, which enhances the learning experience.
Moreover, the inclusion of practice questions throughout the course is particularly beneficial. These questions are designed to train your cognitive approach to exam scenarios, reinforcing critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success in the CCSP certification exam. Overall, this course provides a robust framework for both theoretical knowledge and practical application.
Exam Strategy
I always followed the following strategy:
➢ People Process/Strategy/Assessment Technology (PPT)
Typically, I approach questions by first reading them thoroughly, followed by an analysis of the corresponding answers, and then revisiting the question to ensure comprehension of the underlying requirements. In instances where I encounter particularly challenging questions, I occasionally adjust my strategy by examining the answer options prior to
fully engaging with the question. This allows me to promptly eliminate obvious distractors, thereby streamlining the decision-making process and enhancing my efficiency in arriving at the correct solution. My advise for all exams you have to do some efforts, there is no magic pill!
I lived with the mindset like Arnold Schwarzenegger was saying “I hate plan B” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ktRTWMX3M
And this is in my opinion a great advice- Why?
That means that you start thinking about Plan B and every thought that you put into Plan B you're taking away now that thought and that energy from plan A!
Also do not worry about falling. We all fail. The important thing to remember is. It is ok to fail. What is not ok is when you fail you stay down. Whoever stays down is a
loser...and winners will fail and get up fail and get up, fail and get up, you always get up that is a WINNER!
I ́d like to thank you to the follwing people during my journey
➢ Fadi Soda as great friend and Mentor
➢ Luke Ahmed for his great support
➢ Ben Malisow for his great help
“Have a dream, sacrifice for it, and never, ever rest in the middle, rest at the END.”
-Kobe Bryant RIP