AWS Certified Security - Specialty

Validate your knowledge and advanced technical skills in securing workloads and architectures on AWS

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Exam overview

Category Specialty
Exam duration 170 minutes
Exam format 65 questions, either multiple choice or multiple response
Cost 300 USD. Visit Exam pricing for additional cost information, including foreign exchange rates
Testing options
 Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam
Languages offered English, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, and Spanish (Latin America)

AWS Certified Security - Specialty validates your expertise in creating and implementing security solutions in the AWS Cloud. This certification also validates your understanding of specialized data classifications and AWS data protection mechanisms; data-encryption methods and AWS mechanisms to implement them; and secure internet protocols and AWS mechanisms to implement them.

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Prepare for the exam

Go from start to certified. Follow our Exam Prep Plan on AWS Skill Builder, our online learning center, so you can approach exam day with confidence.

1

Get to know the exam with exam-style questions

Follow the 4-step plan.

Review the exam guide.

2

Refresh your AWS Knowledge and skills

Enroll in digital courses where you need to fill gaps in knowledge and skills, practice with AWS Builder Labs, AWS Cloud Quest, and AWS Jam.

3

Review and practice for your exam

Review the scope of the exam. Explore each exam domain’s topics and how they align to AWS services. Reinforce your knowledge and identify learning gaps with exam-style questions and flashcards. Follow instructors as they walk through exam-style questions and provide test-taking strategies. Continue practicing with AWS Builder Labs and/or AWS SimuLearn.

4

Assess your exam readiness

Take the AWS Certification Official Practice Exam.

Key FAQs to help you get started

AWS Certified Security - Specialty is intended for experienced individuals who have five years of IT security experience in designing and implementing security solutions and two or more years of hands-on experience in securing AWS workloads. This certification complements the skills and expertise required for multiple job roles across cloud architecture, database, networking, and DevSecOps.

This certification can build your credibility and position you as a trusted advisor to your stakeholders and customers. As an AWS Certified Security - Specialty certification holder, you can bring best practices and security solutions that meet organizations’ and customers’ unique needs. Job listings requiring this certification have increased 73% (Oct 2021 - Sept 2022) per Lightcast™ October 2022. The AWS Certified Security - Specialty is also the top highest-paying technical certifications in the United States, according to October 2024 findings from Skillsoft’s annual IT Skills and Salary survey.

You are not required to earn any specific certifications prior to preparing for this certification. However, candidates commonly earn the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate and/or AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional before attempting the AWS Certified Security - Specialty exam.

The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional and the AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty are additional certifications that other cloud professionals have earned to advance further in roles like Networking Engineer or DevSecOps Engineer.

This certification is valid for 3 years. Before your certification expires, you can recertify by passing the latest version of this exam. Learn more about recertification options for AWS Certifications.

Yes. Once you earn one AWS Certification, you get 50% discount on your next AWS Certification exam. You can sign in and access this discount in your AWS Certification Account.