About CSSLP

The Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) validates that software professionals have the expertise to incorporate security practices – authentication, authorization and auditing – into each phase of the software development lifecycle (SDLC), from software design and implementation to testing and deployment.

The broad spectrum of topics included in the CSSLP Exam Outline ensure its relevancy across all disciplines in the field of information security. Successful candidates are competent in the following eight domains:

Secure Software Concepts
Secure Software Lifecycle Management
Secure Software Requirements
Secure Software Architecture and Design
Secure Software Implementation
Secure Software Testing
Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance
Secure Software Supply Chain

Experience Requirements

Candidates must have a minimum of four years cumulative, full-time experience in one or more of the eight domains of the current CSSLP Exam Outline. Earning a post-secondary degree (bachelors or masters) in computer science, Information Technology (IT) or related fields may satisfy up to one year of the required experience. Part-time work and internships may also count towards the experience requirement.

If you don’t have the required experience to become a CSSLP, you may become an Associate of ISC2 by successfully passing the CSSLP examination. You will then have five years to earn the four years required experience. You can learn more about CSSLP experience requirements and how to account for part-time work and internships at www.isc2.org/Certifications/CSSLP/CSSLP-Experience-Requirements.

Accreditation

CSSLP is in compliance with the stringent requirements of the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) ISO/IEC Standard 17024.

Job Task Analysis (JTA)

ISC2 has an obligation to its membership to maintain the relevancy of the CSSLP. Conducted at regular intervals, the Job Task Analysis (JTA) is a methodical and critical process of determining the tasks that are performed by CSSLP credential holders. The results of the JTA are used to update the examination. This process ensures that candidates are tested on the topic areas relevant to the roles and responsibilities of today’s practicing information security professionals.

CSSLP Examination Information

Length of exam	3 hours
Number of items	125
Item format	Multiple choice and advanced item types
Passing grade	700 out of 1000 points
Language availability	English
Testing center	Pearson VUE Testing Center

CSSLP Examination Weights

Domains	Average Weight
1. Secure Software Concepts	12%
2. Secure Software Lifecycle Management	11%
3. Secure Software Requirements	13%
4. Secure Software Architecture and Design	15%
5. Secure Software Implementation	14%
6. Secure Software Testing	14%
7. Secure Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance	11%
8. Secure Software Supply Chain	10%
Total	100%

CSSLP Certification Exam Outline

Domains

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Domains