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SSCP

Systems Security Certified Practitioner

(ISC)²'s practitioner-level cert covering access controls, risk monitoring, incident response, cryptography, and network security operations.

Exam length
180 min
Pass score
700/1000
Questions
125
Domains
7

Suggested prep: 5–8 weeks · Difficulty: Associate

Domain breakdown

Official weights from the (ISC)² exam outline. We track your mastery on each domain individually so you know where to focus.

01Security Concepts and Practices16%
02Access Controls15%
03Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis15%
04Incident Response and Recovery14%
05Cryptography9%
06Network and Communications Security16%
07Systems and Application Security15%

Try a real SSCP question

Pulled straight from the free tier. Every question in the bank cites a public source you can verify.

An organization encrypts its stored customer records so that only authorized personnel can read them. Which core security objective is this control primarily protecting?

  1. ANon-repudiation
  2. BConfidentiality
  3. CIntegrity
  4. DAvailability
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is preserving authorized restrictions on access and disclosure, which encryption-at-rest directly enforces by keeping data unreadable to unauthorized parties. Availability concerns timely access to data, integrity concerns guarding against improper modification, and non-repudiation concerns proof of origin, none of which is the goal of preventing unauthorized reading.

Source: NIST CSRC Glossary: Confidentiality

SSCP FAQ

How many questions are on the SSCP exam?

The (ISC)² SSCP exam has 125 questions and runs 180 minutes. A passing score is 700/1000.

What domains does SSCP cover?

7 domains, per the official (ISC)² outline: Security Concepts and Practices (16%), Access Controls (15%), Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis (15%), Incident Response and Recovery (14%), Cryptography (9%), Network and Communications Security (16%), Systems and Application Security (15%).

How long should I study for SSCP?

Typical prep time is 5–8 weeks, depending on your experience. TierOne's spaced-repetition queue is built for short daily sessions, so progress compounds even on a busy schedule.

Can I try SSCP practice questions for free?

Yes. The free tier includes 50 real SSCP practice questions with cited sources, the Question of the Day, and the AI tutor (5 explanations per day). No credit card required.

Is there a pass guarantee?

Yes. If you fail your SSCP exam after 30 or more days on Pro, send us your score report and choose 3 free months or a full refund.

Ready to start prepping for the SSCP?

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Not affiliated with or endorsed by (ISC)². SSCP is a trademark of its owner.