SECURITY
2025 Comparison

CCSP vs Azure Security Engineer

Compare CCSP and Azure Security Engineer certifications for cloud security professionals.

Side-by-Side Comparison
Salary Insights
Expert Verdict

CCSP

ISC2

Difficulty
Professional
Duration4 hours
Cost$599 USD
Valid For3 years
Salary Range$135,000 - $185,000

Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500)

Microsoft

Difficulty
Associate
Duration120 minutes
Cost$165 USD
Valid For1 year (renewal)
Salary Range$120,000 - $165,000
Detailed Comparison

Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

Compare all aspects of these certifications side by side

FeatureCCSPAzure Security Engineer (AZ-500)
ProviderISC2Microsoft
Difficulty Level
Professional
Associate
Exam Duration4 hours120 minutes
Exam Cost$599 USD$165 USD
Exam Format150 questions40-60 questions + labs
Prerequisites5 years IT + 3 years securityAZ-104 or equivalent
Validity Period3 years1 year (renewal)
Ideal ForMulti-cloud security professionalsAzure security specialists
Salary Range$135,000 - $185,000$120,000 - $165,000
Coverage Areas

What Each Certification Covers

Key topics and domains covered in each exam

CCSP Focus Areas

  • Cloud Architecture
  • Security
  • Compliance
  • Legal

Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) Focus Areas

  • Azure AD
  • Platform Protection
  • Data Security
  • Operations
Expert Verdict

Our Recommendation

CCSP is vendor-neutral and broader; AZ-500 is Azure-specific and practical.

Choose CCSP

Choose CCSP for multi-cloud environments and senior roles.

Choose Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500)

Choose AZ-500 for hands-on Azure security work.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: CCSP or Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500)?

CCSP is vendor-neutral and broader; AZ-500 is Azure-specific and practical.

What are the salary differences between CCSP?

CCSP typically offers salaries around $135,000 - $185,000, while Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) offers $120,000 - $165,000.

Which certification should I get first?

Choose CCSP for multi-cloud environments and senior roles. Choose AZ-500 for hands-on Azure security work.

How long does it take to prepare for these certifications?

Preparation time varies based on experience. Most candidates spend 4-12 weeks studying, depending on their background and the certification difficulty level.

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