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AWS • Security Specialty
AWS Certified Security - Specialty (SCS-C02)
Design and implement security controls for AWS workloads.
Practice setup
Exam info
- Exam ID
- SCS-C02
- Cost of Exam
- $300 USD
- Length of Test
- 170 Minutes
- Number of Questions
- 65
View full exam details
- Exam Level
- Specialty
- Launch Date
- July 2023
- Recommended Experience
- 3+ years of security experience and 2+ years securing AWS workloads
- Question Types
- Multiple Choice / Multiple Response
- Passing Score
- Scaled score determined by AWS
Domains and Objectives
Threat Detection and Incident Response1.014%
Objectives in this domain
- Implement detection capabilities across cloud environments.
- Investigate and triage security events using AWS-native controls.
- Coordinate containment and recovery workflows.
Security Logging and Monitoring2.018%
Objectives in this domain
- Design centralized security logging pipelines.
- Define alerting and response thresholds for meaningful security signals.
- Maintain observability for audit and operational security requirements.
Infrastructure Security3.020%
Objectives in this domain
- Secure network and compute boundaries across AWS services.
- Apply defense-in-depth controls for workload protection.
- Manage exposure reduction and hardening strategies.
Identity and Access Management4.016%
Objectives in this domain
- Design IAM permissions and trust relationships.
- Implement least-privilege access controls across accounts and services.
- Use federation and role-based patterns for secure access.
Data Protection5.018%
Objectives in this domain
- Implement encryption controls and key management strategies.
- Protect data in transit and at rest across architectures.
- Apply classification and access controls for sensitive datasets.
Management, Governance, and Security Operations6.014%
Objectives in this domain
- Align cloud security controls with governance and compliance objectives.
- Implement policy enforcement and auditability mechanisms.
- Improve security operations maturity through repeatable operational processes.
Resources
AWS Certified Security - Specialty (Official)
Official exam page with current guide and registration details.
Open resourceExam history
The History of AWS Certified Security - Specialty (SCS-C02 Context)
Last reviewed: 2026-03-16
AWS Certified Security - Specialty is the dedicated advanced security credential for professionals securing AWS workloads and cloud environments.
SCS-C02 introduced an updated exam focus aligned with modern cloud security operations, emphasizing detection, response, data protection, identity controls, and governance integration.
The certification remains a core milestone for practitioners responsible for designing and operating robust security architectures in AWS.
Change tracker
SCS-C02 launched
AWS released SCS-C02 as the current Security Specialty exam with updated objectives aligned to modern cloud security operations.
SCS-C01 retired
The prior version was replaced to align with evolving AWS security services and practices.