What is the CSSLP Certification

The Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) from ISC2 validates that a software professional can integrate security best practices into every phase of the development life cycle. While many security credentials focus on infrastructure or operations, CSSLP zeroes in on building security in from the first requirements workshop through retirement of an application. Holding the certification signals to employers and customers that you can help reduce vulnerabilities, meet compliance mandates, and ultimately ship more resilient software.

How the Exam Is Structured

The current CSSLP exam is a computer-based test containing 125 multiple-choice questions delivered over a three-hour session. A scaled score of 700 out of 1,000 is required to pass. Content is distributed across eight domains that mirror the secure software development life cycle: 1) Secure Software Concepts, 2) Secure Software Requirements, 3) Secure Software Architecture & Design, 4) Secure Software Implementation, 5) Secure Software Testing, 6) Secure Lifecycle Management, 7) Secure Software Deployment, Operations & Maintenance, and 8) Secure Software Supply Chain. Because any topic in these domains is fair game, candidates need both breadth and depth of knowledge across process models, threat modeling, secure coding, DevSecOps pipelines, and supply-chain risk management.

The Power of Practice Exams

One of the most effective ways to close a knowledge gap and build exam-day confidence is to take high-quality practice exams. Timed drills acclimate you to the three-hour pacing and help you learn how long you can spend on each question before moving on. Equally important, comprehensive explanations (not just answer keys) reveal why a particular choice is correct, which deepens conceptual understanding and highlights recurring exam patterns. Aim to review every explanation—even the questions you answer correctly—to reinforce core principles and discover alternate ways a concept can be tested. Track scores over multiple attempts; trending upward is a reliable indicator that your study plan is working.

Preparation Tips

Begin your study schedule at least eight to twelve weeks out, mapping the official ISC2 exam outline to specific learning resources such as the (ISC)² CSSLP CBK, OWASP documentation, and language-specific secure-coding references. After you’ve covered each domain, fold in practice exams and use their analytics to guide targeted review sessions. In the final two weeks, simulate the exam environment: mute notifications, sit for a full three-hour block, and practice reading every question twice before locking in an answer. Coupled with real-world experience and a disciplined study routine, these strategies position you to walk into the testing center—and out with the CSSLP credential—on your first attempt.