International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC)²

Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)

Credential: Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)  In-Demand resource  GI Bill resource  ANAB (ANSI) resource
Credentialing Agency: International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC)²

Renewal Period: 3 years

The International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC 2), Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) certification is ideal for software development and security professionals responsible for applying best practices to each phase of the SDLC – from software design and implementation to testing and deployment.  Candidates are required to have a minimum of four years of cumulative paid Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) professional work experience in one or more of the eight domains of the (ISC)² CSSLP CBK, or three years of cumulative paid SDLC professional work experience in one or more of the eight domains of the CSSLP CBK with a four-year degree leading to a Baccalaureate, or regional equivalent in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT) or related fields.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    medium

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 4 years
  • Education
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

  • In-person exam
  • Remote proctored on-line exam
  • Third-party test vendor

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 3 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC)²

311 Park Place Blvd
Suite 400
Clearwater, FL  33759

Phone: (866) 331-4722

Fax: (703) 356-7977
Email: communications@isc2.org

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Option 1:

Candidate must have a minimum of four years of cumulative paid Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) professional work experience in one or more of the eight domains of the (ISC)² CSSLP CBK.

Option 2:

Candidate must have three years of cumulative paid full-time professional work experience in the SDLC in one or more of the eight CSSLP domains and a four year college degree or regional equivalent in Computer Science, Information Technology or related fields.

The Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) credential has the following other requirements:

  • Candidate must subscribe to the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC)2 Code of Ethics.
  • Individuals who pass a CSSLP exam must have their qualifications endorsed by another (ISC2) credential holder.

Written Exam

  • Secure Software Concepts (13%)
    • Core Concepts
    • Security Design Principles
  • Secure Software Requirements (14%)
    • Identify Security Requirements
    • Interpret Data Classification Requirements
    • Identify Privacy Requirements
    • Develop Misuse and Abuse Cases
    • Include Security in Software Requirement Specifications
    • Develop Security Requirement Traceability Matrix
  • Secure Software Design (16%)
    • Perform Threat Modeling
    • Define the Security Architecture
    • Performing Secure Interface Design
    • Performing Architectural Risk Assessment
    • Modeling (Non-Functional) Security Properties and Constraints
    • Model and Classify Data
    • Evaluate and Select Reusable Secure Design
    • Perform Design Security Review
    • Design Secure Assembly Architecture for Component-Based Systems
    • Use Security Enhancing Architecture and Design Tools
    • Use Secure Design Principles and Patterns
  • Secure Software Implementation/Programming (16%)
    • Follow Secure Coding Practices
    • Analyze Code for Security Vulnerabilities
    • Implement Security Controls
    • Fix Security Vulnerabilities
    • Look for Malicious Code
    • Securely Reuse Third Party Code or Libraries
    • Securely Integrate Components
    • Apply Security during the Build Process
    • Debug Security Errors
  • Secure Software Testing (14%)
    • Develop Security Test Cases
    • Develop Security Testing Strategy and Plan
    • Identify Undocumented Functionality
    • Interpret Security Implications of Test Results
    • Classify and Track Security Errors
    • Secure Test Data
    • Develop or Obtain Security Test Data
    • Perform Verification and Validation Testing (e.g., IV&V)
  • Secure Lifecycle Management (10%)
    • Secure Configuration and Version Control
    • Establish Security Milestones
    • Choose a Secure Software Methodology
    • Identify Security Standards and Frameworks
    • Create Security Documentation
    • Develop Security Metrics
    • Decommission Software
    • Report Security Status
    • Support Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC)
  • Software Deployment, Operations, and Maintenance (9%)
    • Perform Implementation Risk Analysis
    • Release Software Securely
    • Securely Store and Manage Security Data
    • Ensure Secure Installation
    • Perform Post-Deployment Security Testing
    • Obtain Security Approval to Operate
    • Perform Security Monitoring (e.g., managing error logs, audits, meeting SLAs, CIA metrics)
    • Support Incident Response
    • Support Patch and Vulnerability Management
    • Support Continuity of Operations
  • Supply Chain and Software Acquisition (8%)
    • Analyze Security of Third Party Software
    • Verify Pedigree and Provenance
    • Provide Security Support to the Acquisition Process

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) examination:

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

  • Exam Administration

    Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) credential where checked:

    • In-person exam
    • Remote proctored on-line exam
    • Third-party test vendor

  • For more information on the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC)² testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) credential has the following recertification information:

  • The CSSLP credential must be renewed every three years by meeting continuing education requirements. All ISC2 certifications also require an annual maintenance fee. More information on Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements and annual maintenance fees can be found on the ISC2 website.
  • Note: Marine Corps COOL will only pay recertification fees for the current year, no arrears will be paid. Voucher requests for recertification fees must be submitted with proof of the current status of the certification (for example, a screen shot of your credentialing agency dashboard or a copy of a current fee receipt).

Additional considerations for the Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) include:

  • Candidates who do not meet the required experience may still sit for the exam and become an Associate of (ISC)2 until they have gained the required experience. Once the required experience for the CSSLP certification is reached, the Associate of (ISC)2 can be converted to CSSLP status. Annual maintenance fees and continuing education requirements apply while working towards the experience requirement.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsored CareerOneStop's analysis indicates the certification is frequently mentioned in online job postings.

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COOL Bucks

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Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

CA Eligible

This certification is eligible for CA.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click Menu at the top of any page, then click "2 Complete Voucher and Apply" under Credentialing Steps.

CG Bucks

Current Coast Guard policy states all credentials listed on CG COOL may be reimbursed assuming the enlisted service member meets the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program Policy (COMDTINST 1540.1(series))

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 through E9

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 through E9

Early Career

1-6 years experience; Officer O1 through O2

Mid Career

6-12 years experience; Officer O3 through O5

Late Career

12+ years experience; Officer O6 and Above

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANAB (ANSI)

This credential has been accredited by ANAB (ANSI).

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: minimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
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Updated: February 26, 2021
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