AWS Certified Security Specialty (SCS-C01) Exam Guide - Version 1.5 - Preparation and Content Outline

Sep 20, 2026

AWS Certified Security Specialty (SCS-C01) is designed for security role practitioners and validates the ability to secure the AWS platform. The guide details the skills being assessed, including AWS data classification, encryption and secure Internet protocols, AWS security services for a production environment, security operations knowledge, and cost-security tradeoff decisions. It lists eligibility prerequisites, recommended AWS knowledge, exam preparation resources, question formats, scoring approach, and the full content outline with domain weightings.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Examination Prerequisite

Recommended AWS Knowledge

Exam Preparation

Exam Content

Response Types

Unscored Content

Exam Results

Content Outline

Introduction The AWS Certified Security Specialty (SCS-C01) examination is intended for individuals who perform a security role. This exam validates an examinee’s ability to effectively demonstrate knowledge about securing the AWS platform. It validates an examinee’s ability to demonstrate: 􀁸 An understanding of specialized data classifications and AWS data protection mechanisms. 􀁸 An understanding of data-encryption methods and AWS mechanisms to implement them. 􀁸 An understanding of secure Internet protocols and AWS mechanisms to implement them. 􀁸 A working knowledge of AWS security services and features of services to provide a secure production environment. 􀁸 Competency gained from two or more years of production deployment experience using AWS security services and features. 􀁸 The ability to make tradeoff decisions with regard to cost, security, and deployment complexity given a set of application requirements. 􀁸 An understanding of security operations and risks. Examination Prerequisite In order to take this examination, you must hold an AWS Certified foundational or role-based certification (associate or professional) in good standing. Recommended AWS Knowledge 􀁸 A minimum of five years of IT security experience, designing and implementing security solutions. 􀁸 At least two years of hands-on experience securing AWS workloads. 􀁸 Security controls for workloads on AWS. Exam Preparation These training courses and materials may be helpful for examination preparation: AWS Training ([aws.amazon.com/training](aws.amazon.com/training)) 􀁸 AWS Security Fundamentals: A self-paced, online three-hour course 􀁸 Advanced Architecting on AWS: An instructor-led, live, or virtual three-day course 􀁸 Security Operations on AWS: An instructor-led, live, or virtual three-day course 􀁸 AWS Digital Training: Self-paced digital courses with modules focused on security services and topics AWS Whitepapers ([aws.amazon.com/whitepapers](aws.amazon.com/whitepapers)) Kindle and . pdf 􀁸 Security and Compliance documentation 􀁸 Compliance resources Exam Content Response Types There are two types of questions on the examination: 􀁸 Multiple-choice: Has one correct response and three incorrect responses (distractors) . 􀁸 Multiple-response: Has two or more correct responses out of five or more options. Select one or more responses that best complete the statement or answer the question. Distractors, or incorrect answers, are response options that an examinee with incomplete knowledge or skill would likely choose. However, they are generally plausible responses that fit in the content area defined by the test objective. Unanswered questions are scored as incorrect; there is no penalty for guessing. Unscored Content Your examination may include unscored items that are placed on the test to gather statistical information. These items are not identified on the form and do not affect your score. Exam Results The AWS Certified Security Specialty (SCS-C01) exam is a pass or fail exam. The examination is scored against a minimum standard established by AWS professionals who are guided by certification industry best practices and guidelines. Your results for the examination are reported as a score from 100-1000, with a minimum passing score of 750. Your score shows how you performed on the examination as a whole and whether or not you passed. Scaled scoring models are used to equate scores across multiple exam forms that may have slightly different difficulty levels. Your score report contains a table of classifications of your performance at each section level. This information is designed to provide general feedback concerning your examination performance. The examination uses a compensatory scoring model, which means that you do not need to “pass” the individual sections, only the overall examination. Each section of the examination has a specific weighting, so some sections have more questi

FAQs

Who is the AWS Certified Security Specialty (SCS-C01) exam intended for?

It is intended for individuals who perform a security role and need to demonstrate knowledge of securing the AWS platform.

What are the main prerequisites and recommended AWS knowledge to take the exam?

Candidates must hold an AWS Certified foundational or role-based certification in good standing. Recommended preparation includes five years of IT security experience and at least two years of hands-on experience securing AWS workloads.

How is the exam content organized and scored?

The exam uses pass/fail scoring with a minimum passing score of 750. The content outline covers five domains with specific weightings, and the scaled scoring model equates scores across exam forms.

Sep 20, 2026

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