ISC2 CC (Certified in Cybersecurity)
Exam fee
$0
Exam code
CC
Renewal
3yr
The ISC2 CC (Certified in Cybersecurity) is a cybersecurity certification from ISC2 with an exam fee of $0 and a 3-year renewal cycle. Built from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and ISC2's official exam requirements.
'ISC Squared CC' is also common.
About the ISC2 CC (Certified in Cybersecurity)
The ISC2 CC (Certified in Cybersecurity) is the free entry credential ISC2 introduced to widen the pipeline into cybersecurity. It covers the same conceptual foundations as Security+ (access control, network security, security operations, risk management, incident response) but is shorter and does not require work experience. The exam and first year of membership are free through ISC2's One Million Certified in Cybersecurity program. It is a real ISC2 credential that shows up on resumes and signals you have passed a proctored exam; it is not a substitute for Security+ if you are targeting federal contractor work, but it is an excellent cost-zero first step for complete beginners.
Who should earn it
Complete beginners who want a zero-cost proctored cert, career changers stress-testing their commitment before investing in Security+, and students using it to qualify for internships.
Exam details
- Provider
- ISC2
- Exam code
- CC
- Questions
- 100
- Duration
- 120 minutes
- Passing score
- 700/1000
- Exam fee
- $0 (verify with ISC2)
- Renewal
- Every 3 years via CPE
- Experience level
- Entry
- DoD 8570/8140
- Not on the list
Prerequisites
None. Designed for beginners with no security experience.
Key domains
- Security Principles
- Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, and Incident Response
- Access Controls Concepts
- Network Security
- Security Operations
Salary impact
Similar impact to the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. Opens doors to $55,000-$75,000 entry SOC and GRC roles when paired with hands-on portfolio work. Less valuable than Security+ in federal and defense hiring.
Most relevant roles
This role lives inside a packaged path
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DecipherU bundles cybersecurity roles into a small set of packaged paths. Each path has the curriculum sequence, the compensation delta it unlocks, and the recommended courses, all pre-set. Two ways in:
Cert-prep add-on for this credential
Certification details are sourced from official certifying body websites. Verify current pricing, exam format, and requirements directly with the certifying organization before making decisions. DecipherU is not affiliated with any certifying body.
Exam code CC. ISC2 publishes 5 domains: Security Principles, Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, and Incident Response, Access Controls Concepts, Network Security, Security Operations. Practice questions on DecipherU are grouped by those domains.
Up to 100 questions in 120 minutes, with a passing score of 700/1000, according to ISC2. Formats and counts change between exam versions, so confirm on the ISC2 site before you book.
ISC2 lists the exam fee at $0 USD. Vouchers, bundles and regional pricing differ; the fee on the ISC2 site at checkout is the one that applies.
3 years, per ISC2. Renewal is through continuing education credits or by passing a current exam; ISC2 sets the credit count and the deadline.
None. Designed for beginners with no security experience.
Sources
- ISC2 official website · Certification pricing, exam format, and renewal requirements
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
Related Cybersecurity Resources
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DecipherU's career insights are developed by Julian Calvo, Ed.D., with AI-assisted research and drafting, then reviewed and edited by DecipherU Editorial. Career and compensation data come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET, and industry compensation databases. Assessment frameworks are grounded in peer-reviewed psychometric research, learning sciences (University of Miami), organizational learning (Barry University), and applied AI (Northeastern University). AI is used as a research and drafting tool; all methodology, framework design, scoring, and editorial standards are owned by the DecipherU team.