AWS Certified Security – Specialty
An advanced AWS security credential focused on protecting cloud workloads through identity, logging, monitoring, infrastructure security, data protection, and incident response.
Last verified: 2026-09-01
Overview
AWS Certified Security – Specialty validates advanced skills for securing workloads and architectures on AWS. The current SCS-C03 exam focuses on detecting security events, responding to incidents, protecting infrastructure and data, designing identity and access controls, and applying security foundations and governance across AWS environments. It is best suited to experienced cloud and security practitioners who already understand AWS services and need to demonstrate deeper security expertise.
- Recommended experience
- AWS targets experienced professionals who secure AWS workloads and architectures. Candidates should already be comfortable with AWS security services, identity and access management, logging and monitoring, networking, encryption, incident response, and general AWS architecture before attempting this advanced specialty exam.
- Estimated study time
- 120–200 hours
- Target job roles
- Cloud Security EngineerCloud Security ArchitectSecurity EngineerSecurity ConsultantDevSecOps EngineerCloud Security Analyst
Exam Details
AWS Certified Security – Specialty Exam
- Exam code
- SCS-C03
- Number of exams
- 1
- Duration
- 170 minutes
- Question count
- 65 multiple-choice or multiple-response questions
- Delivery method
- Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam
- Price
- $300 USD; regional taxes and exchange rates may apply
Skills and Domains
Detection
16%Detect and analyze security events and findings across AWS environments.
Incident Response
14%Design, test, and carry out response activities for AWS security events.
Infrastructure Security
18%Design, implement, and troubleshoot security controls for network edge, compute workloads, and AWS networking.
Identity and Access Management
20%Design, implement, and troubleshoot authentication and authorization strategies.
Data Protection
18%Protect data in transit and at rest and secure confidential data, credentials, secrets, and key material.
Security Foundations and Governance
14%Apply account governance, secure deployment strategies, and compliance controls across AWS.
Study Resources
AWS SCS-C03 Exam Guide
Official resourceOfficial Guide · Free
Official AWS exam guide with current content domains and weightings.
View resourceAWS Certified Security – Specialty
Official resourceDocumentation · Free
Official AWS certification overview and registration information.
View resourceAWS Certification Recertification
Official resourceDocumentation · Free
Official AWS policy for certification validity and recertification.
View resourceRenewal
- Validity period
- 3 years
- Renewal method
- Pass the current AWS Certified Security – Specialty exam before the certification expires.
- Notes
- AWS certifications are valid for three years. AWS states that Specialty certifications are recertified by taking the current corresponding exam; continuing-education credits are not accepted as a substitute.
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