☁️4 – Intermediate Cloud Security Certifications
Cloud security is a rapidly growing field as organizations increasingly migrate infrastructure, applications, and data to cloud platforms. Intermediate-level cloud security certifications focus on equipping professionals with the practical skills needed to secure cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
These certifications are designed for IT and security professionals who already have a foundational understanding of cloud platforms and now want to apply cloud-specific security controls, identity and access management, data protection, and threat detection strategies. They often cover topics like secure cloud architecture, compliance mapping, and integration of cloud-native security tools.
While they don’t go as deep as expert-level certifications like AWS Certified Security – Advanced or CCSK Expert, they provide essential, job-ready knowledge for roles such as Cloud Security Analyst, IAM Administrator, or Cloud Infrastructure Engineer.
Certification | Organization |
🟢 AWS Certified Security – Specialty | Amazon Web Services |
🟢 Microsoft SC-300 – Identity & Access Administrator | Microsoft |
🟢 Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer | Google Cloud |
🟢 GIAC GCLD – Cloud Security Essentials | GIAC / SANS |
🟢 ISC2 CCSP – Certified Cloud Security Professional | ISC2 |
🟢 CompTIA Cloud+ | CompTIA |
🟢 Fortinet NSE 5 – Cloud Security | Fortinet |
💡 Tip: These certifications are best pursued after gaining hands-on experience with cloud environments or completing entry-level cloud fundamentals courses like AWS Cloud Practitioner, Azure Fundamentals, or Google Cloud Digital Leader.
Certification | Duration | Cost | Prerequisites | Avg. Salary (USD) | Europe Salary Range | USA Salary Range |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AWS Certified Security – Specialty | 170 minutes (exam) | $300 | 2–5 years in AWS; one associate-level AWS cert recommended | $140,000 | $80,000–$110,000 | $110,000–$160,000 |
Microsoft SC-300: Identity and Access Admin | 120 minutes (exam) | $165 | Experience with Azure AD, hybrid identity, and IAM | $98,000 | $55,000–$85,000 | $75,000–$110,000 |
Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer | 120 minutes (exam) | $200 | Experience with GCP and security best practices | $135,000 | $70,000–$105,000 | $100,000–$145,000 |
GIAC GCLD – Cloud Security Essentials | 4 hours (exam) | $2,499 | Basic cloud and security knowledge | $118,000 | $65,000–$100,000 | $90,000–$135,000 |
ISC2 CCSP – Certified Cloud Security Professional | 180 minutes (exam) | $599 | 5 years IT + 3 years security experience recommended | $150,000 | $75,000–$120,000 | $125,000–$175,000 |
CompTIA Cloud+ | 90 minutes (exam) | $358 | 2–3 years in systems/network/cloud admin | $95,000 | $55,000–$85,000 | $70,000–$110,000 |
Fortinet NSE 5 – Cloud Security | 2–3 days (training + exam) | $500–$1,000 | Familiarity with Fortinet solutions and cloud infra | $90,000 | $50,000–$80,000 | $70,000–$100,000 |