AWS Security Specialty (AWS Certified Security - Specialty)
AWS Certified Security - Specialty is about securing workloads on AWS: detection, incident response, infrastructure security, identity and access management, data protection, and security governance. AWS aims it at candidates with the equivalent of 3 to 5 years of experience securing cloud solutions.
Exam Details
Taken at a Pearson VUE testing center or as an online proctored exam, with multiple choice, multiple response, ordering, and matching items under a compensatory scoring model.
After earning one AWS Certification, candidates receive a 50% discount on their next AWS Certification exam.
Requirements and Renewal
Prerequisites
None required. AWS recommends five years of IT security experience designing and implementing security solutions and two or more years of hands-on experience securing AWS workloads.
Renewal
Recertify before expiry by passing the latest version of the exam.
Current Version
SCS-C03, in effect since Dec 2, 2025.
Exam Domains
6 domains| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| Detection | 16% |
| Incident Response | 14% |
| Infrastructure Security | 18% |
| Identity and Access Management | 20% |
| Data Protection | 18% |
| Security Foundations and Governance | 14% |
Certification Lists
Related Tool Categories
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the AWS Security Specialty exam cost?→
300 USD. After earning one AWS Certification, candidates get 50% off their next AWS Certification exam.
What changed in SCS-C03?→
SCS-C03 replaced SCS-C02 on December 2, 2025. It splits detection and incident response into separate domains and adds content such as guardrails for generative AI applications.
How long is the exam and what score is needed?→
The exam has 65 questions in 170 minutes, 15 of them unscored. The minimum passing score is 750 on a scale of 100 to 1,000.
Do I need another AWS certification first?→
No certification is required. AWS notes that candidates commonly earn Solutions Architect - Associate or Professional before this exam.
How long is the certification valid?→
Three years. Holders recertify by passing the latest version of the exam before it expires.
Sources
Exam details are checked against official Amazon Web Services (AWS) pages. Fees, exam versions, and renewal rules change; confirm with Amazon Web Services (AWS) before registering. AWS Security Specialty is a trademark of its owner. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Amazon Web Services (AWS).