ISC2 CSSLP certification overview: What you need to know

Application vulnerabilities are among the top cybersecurity threats to organizations. Without action, a business will continue to be exposed and face serious consequences, such as disruptions in continuous operation. 

Companies often lack skilled professionals who have expertise in app development security, so they are always looking for talented workers who can implement software assurances, incorporate application access control and ensure the use of more secure coding. IT practitioners who are Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professionals (CSSLP) might be the right answer. With the current dependence on web applications and the rapid shift to virtual and mobile environments, an adequate number of CSSLPs dedicated to ensuring security through the software development lifecycle (SDLC) are a much-needed solution to pinpoint threats targeting web-based apps. 

The International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, ISC2 for short, sponsors the CSSLP certification and is working towards making it the de facto industry standard for secure software development. The CSSLP validates knowledge of secure coding best practices, making it less likely for developers to leave behind exploitable vulnerabilities.

For more information on cybersecurity certifications, download our ebook, "Cybersecurity certifications and skills: A roadmap for mid-career professionals."

Why CSSLP Certification? 

The ISC2 CSSLP certification is geared toward individuals who will have a role in developing software systems using secure programming practices or who will be asked to protect an organization’s software from web security threats or cyberattacks, such as code injection or cross-site scripting. The domains on which professionals are tested can serve as a basic guide to master all angles of the knowledge required to fulfill this type of position.

The certification can also help businesses screen applicants for relevant vacancies; possessing this credential can ensure any company the applicant has the skills, expertise and significant knowledge to enhance software security throughout the development lifecycle. 

Who should obtain a CSSLP?  

• Software architects 
• Software engineers 
• Software assurance testers 
• Application security specialists 
• Security managers 
• Application designers 
• Software developers 
• Penetration testers 

This certification may benefit any of the above professionals and anyone else involved in SDLC activities. 

The unique feature of this credential is that its common body of knowledge (CBK) overlaps with those of other certifications and programs. It covers similar job function areas as developers/coders but also includes skills and abilities that can be critical in all other phases of the SDLC. 

Getting CSSLP certified 

To qualify and be on your way to get certified, you must meet the CSSLP experience requirements: a minimum of four years of cumulative paid full-time software development lifecycle (SDLC) professional work experience in one or more of the eight domains included in the CSSLP CBK, or three years of cumulative paid full-time SDLC professional work experience with a four-year degree or regional equivalent in computer science, information technology (IT) or related fields. 

As part of the standard registration, candidates must pay the required ISC2 exam fee ($599 in the U.S.). Then, applicants must register and schedule for the CSSLP examination, a computer-based test at locations within Pearson VUE’s testing network worldwide. 

Candidates must successfully pass the required CSSLP exam, which evaluates testers across eight different domains covered in the CSSLP exam outline. The 125-question, multiple-choice exam is administered over three hours. A passing grade is 700 out of 1,000. Testers will generally receive their unofficial examination results before they leave the Pearson test center. ISC2² will then email the official exam results.  

CSSLP exam domains 

The CSSLP certification exam was last refreshed in September 2023 to better reflect the knowledge needed by today's practicing software development professionals. As a result, some of the domain names were changed to describe the topics more accurately, and the domain weights were also updated. 

Here’s a breakdown of the topic areas that candidates are tested on. 

Domain 1. Secure Software Concepts – 12%  

• Understand core concepts 
• Understand security design principles 

Domain 2. Secure Software Lifecycle Management – 11% 

• Manage security within a software development methodology 
• Identify and adopt security standards 
• Outline strategy and roadmap 
• Define and develop security documentation 
• Define security metrics 
• Decommission applications 
• Create security reporting mechanisms 
• Incorporate integrated risk management (IRM) methods 
• Implement secure operation practices 

Domain 3. Secure Software Requirements – 13% 

• Define software security requirements 
• Identify compliance requirements 
• Identify data classification requirements 
• Identify privacy requirements 
• Define data access provisioning 
• Develop misuse and abuse cases 
• Develop security requirement traceability matrix (STRM) 
• Define third-party vendor security requirements 

Domain 4. Secure Software Architecture and Design – 15% 

• Define the security architecture 
• Perform secure interface design 
• Evaluate and select a reusable secure design 
• Perform threat modeling 
• Perform architectural risk assessment 
• Model (non-functional) security properties and constraints 
• Define secure operational architecture 

Domain 5. Secure Software Implementation – 14% 

• Adhere to relevant secure coding practices 
• Analyze code for security risks 
• Implement security controls 
• Address the identified security risks 
• Evaluate and integrate components 
• Apply security during the build process 

Domain 6. Secure Software Testing – 14% 

• Develop security testing strategy and plan 
• Develop security test cases 
• Verify and validate documentation 
• Identify undocumented functionality 
• Analyze security implications of test results 
• Classify and track security errors 
• Secure test data 
• Perform verification and validation testing 

Domain 7. Secure Software Development, Operations, Maintenance – 11% 

• Perform operational risk analysis 
• Secure configuration and version control 
• Release software securely 
• Store and manage security data 
• Ensure secure installation 
• Obtain security approval to operate 
• Perform information security continuous monitoring (ISCM) 
• Execute the incident response plan  
• Perform patch management 
• Perform vulnerability management 
• Incorporate runtime protection  
• Support continuity of operations 
• Integrate service level objectives (SLO) and service level agreements (SLA) 

Domain 8. Secure Software Supply Chain – 10% 

• Implement software supply chain risk management 
• Analyze security of third-party software 
• Verify pedigree and provenance 
• Ensure and verify supplier security requirements in the acquisition process 
• Support contractual requirements 

Knowing the eight domains, one may identify areas of study that may need additional attention before taking the exam.  

What is the best way to train for the CSSLP exam? 

There are a few common ways to prepare for any cybersecurity certification exam; the main five ways are covered in depth in our how-to-train guide. These range from self-study using free materials to live CSSLP training boot camps. For example, Infosec offers live online and in-person CSSLP Boot Camps that prepare you to pass the exam on your first try and come with an Exam Pass Guarantee.

How you train is up to you. Everyone has their preference and individual circumstances, including how they like to learn, timelines for getting certified, career goals and training budget.

How can I earn CPEs to maintain my CSSLP certification? 

 Certified members must earn and submit CPE credits (with 90 CPE credits due in a three-year certification cycle) and pay $125 annually on the anniversary of their certification. 

These CPE credits can be earned through various learning activities within these categories: 

• CPE activities offered by (ISC)²: attending a certification course, webinar, congress or chapter meeting 
• CPE categories: education (group A or B), contributions to the profession (group A), professional development (group B) and unique work experience (group A) 

Note: Group A credits relate directly to activities in the areas covered by the CSSLP's specific domains. Group B credits are gained through professional skills, education, knowledge or competency outside of the domains associated with the CSSLP certification. 

For CSSLP, the suggested annual amount of CPE is 20 for Group A and 10 for Group A or B. 

CSSLP certification salary and job outlook 

Qualified practitioners with application security skill sets have a variety of job opportunities. Understanding software and application security can be for a primary role like software security engineer) or as a secondary skillset that sets you apart for another role, like cybersecurity engineer or manager.  

Earning a CSSLP certification can help set a professional apart from other job candidates and help them qualify for a wider range of positions. CSSLPs can also expect good pay. According to our Cybersecurity salary ebook, the average salary of CSSLP holders is $132,733. However, salaries can vary greatly depending on job title, location and experience. 

For more information on the CSSLP certification, check our our CSSLP training hub.