The certification briefing
What changed. What it means for your next step.
Exam formats, pricing and requirements change. Follow the catalog updates here, then confirm the details with the issuer before booking. Dates show when changes were reviewed or recorded.
Newsletter and LinkedIn drafts, grouped by vendor. Export includes all vendors, regardless of filters.
467 recorded changes
Recent certification changes
- CNCF / Linux Foundationexam update
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist
Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist: exam delivery. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- Online proctored, performance-based test, administered by PSI.
- After
- Not verified
- ISC2exam update
Information Systems Security Management Professional
Information Systems Security Management Professional: exam format. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- 125 questions, 3 hours, multiple choice and advanced item types, 700 out of 1000 points passing score
- After
- 125 items; 180 minutes; multiple choice and advanced items; pass 700/1000.
- ISC2updated
Information Systems Security Management Professional
Information Systems Security Management Professional: abbreviation. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
- ISC2updated
ISC2 Building AI Strategy Certificate
ISC2 Building AI Strategy Certificate: description. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- Launched mid-2025 by ISC2. A 6-course certificate program covering AI foundations, AI for cybersecurity applications, secure AI implementation, aligning with global AI regulations, and workforce adaptation. Complements the CISSP for professionals building organizational AI security strategy.
- After
- Launched July 31, 2025; six courses covering AI fundamentals, AI security, regulations, secure design and workforce strategy.
- AWSexam update
AWS Certified Security - Specialty
AWS Certified Security - Specialty: exam delivery. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored
- After
- Not verified
- Microsoftupdated
Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate
Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate: vendor url. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- https://learn.microsoft.com/
- After
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/resources/study-guides/sc-200
- ISACAupdated
Certified Information Security Manager
Certified Information Security Manager: description. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification from ISACA validates an individual’s expertise in information security governance, program development and management, incident management, and risk management. It is designed for information security managers and those who manage, design, oversee, and assess an enterprise’s information security. The CISM certification is globally recognized and signifies a professional’s ability to align information security programs with broader business goals, manage and mitigate risks, and effectively respond to security incidents 1.
- After
- Security management credential. Revised exam content outline takes effect November 3, 2026; candidates testing before then use the prior outline.
- ISACAdomain change
Advanced in AI Security Management
Advanced in AI Security Management: skills gained. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- ** AI governance frameworks · AI risk management · Third-party AI vendor risk · AI risk communication
- After
- AI governance and program management · AI technologies and controls · AI risk management
- IAPPnew
Certified Information Privacy Professional/China
Certified Information Privacy Professional/China: Added to the catalog. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- Not verified
- After
- id: cfc4f899-2c19-5f9a-9926-ec66f563ce3c; name: Certified Information Privacy Professional/China; tier: 3; level: advanced; domain: sec-risk; vendor: IAPP; cert id: cipp-cn; cert url: https://www.iapp.org/certify/faqs; industries: ; vendor url: https://www.iapp.org/certify/faqs; description: Not verified; exam format: 90 multiple-choice questions; 150 minutes; passing score 300 on the 100–500 reporting scale (not 60%).; is featured: false; who its for: ; abbreviation: CIPP/CN; demand level: Not verified; renewal cost: $250 maintenance per certification term or membership ($295/year); 20 CPE per 2-year term.; target roles: ; exam cost usd: Not verified; exam delivery: Not verified; is house cert: false; median salary: Not verified; metro line id: green; prerequisites: Not verified; skills gained: PIPL · Data Security Law · Cybersecurity Law · Chinese data governance; top employers: ; industry value: ; is on metro map: false; pairs well with: ; study hours low: Not verified; entry salary low: Not verified; salary range low: Not verified; study hours high: Not verified; dod 8140 approved: Not verified; entry salary high: Not verified; salary range high: Not verified; training cost low: Not verified; active us postings: Not verified; salary by org size: ; salary premium low: Not verified; training cost high: Not verified; yoy growth percent: Not verified; geographic hotspots: ; salary by geography: ; salary premium high: Not verified; total cost estimate: Not verified; renewal period years: 2; top hiring industries: ; active global postings: Not verified; experienced salary low: Not verified; experienced salary high: Not verified; next cert recommendation: Not verified
- Microsoftupdated
Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (Retired)
Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (Retired): name. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate
- After
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (Retired)
- Google Cloudupdated
Professional Cloud Security Engineer
Professional Cloud Security Engineer: renewal cost. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- $100 USD (for renewal exam)
- After
- Exam credential valid 2 years. Eligible Google Skills renewal path grants 1 year; verify current renewal eligibility and cost.
- EC-Councilupdated
EC-Council Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator
EC-Council Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator: renewal cost. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- $80.00 annually
- After
- Not verified
- ISACAupdated
Certified Information Systems Auditor
Certified Information Systems Auditor: salary premium low. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
- Microsoftupdated
Microsoft Certified: Information Security Administrator Associate
Microsoft Certified: Information Security Administrator Associate: vendor url. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- https://learn.microsoft.com/
- After
- https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/exams/sc-401/
- AWSupdated
AWS Certified Security - Specialty
AWS Certified Security - Specialty: vendor url. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- Not verified
- After
- https://docs.aws.amazon.com/aws-certification/latest/security-specialty-03/security-specialty-03.html
- CompTIAexam update
CompTIA SecAI+
CompTIA SecAI+: exam format. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- Maximum of 60 questions, multiple-choice and performance-based, 60 minutes duration, passing score: 600 (on a scale of 100–900)
- After
- Not verified
- EC-Councilexam update
EC-Council Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator
EC-Council Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator: exam format. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- 150 Multiple Choice Questions, 4 Hours, Passing score: 60% to 85% (variable per exam form)
- After
- 150 multiple-choice questions; 240 minutes; form-dependent cut score of 60–85%.
- ISACAexam update
Certified Information Systems Auditor
Certified Information Systems Auditor: exam format. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- 150 multiple-choice questions, 4 hours (240 minutes) time limit, passing score of 450 (on a scale of 200-800).
- After
- Not verified
- IAPPprice change
Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional
Artificial Intelligence Governance Professional: exam cost usd. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- 599
- After
- Not verified
- ISC2new
ISC2 AI Security Certification (unnamed pilot)
ISC2 AI Security Certification (unnamed pilot): Added to the catalog. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- Not verified
- After
- id: e485e0a5-5a06-5b90-9e3b-b5b4e5b8d5b1; name: ISC2 AI Security Certification (unnamed pilot); tier: 3; level: advanced; domain: sec-arch; vendor: ISC2; cert id: isc2-ai-security-pilot; cert url: https://www.isc2.org/new-ai-certification; industries: ; vendor url: https://www.isc2.org/new-ai-certification; description: Pilot registration interest closes November 4, 2026. Final certification name, operational price, maintenance rules and launch remain unannounced.; exam format: Pilot only: 160 items; 180 minutes; linear exam. Operational passing score and future price not announced.; is featured: false; who its for: ; abbreviation: ISC2 AI pilot; demand level: Not verified; renewal cost: Not verified; target roles: ; exam cost usd: 0; exam delivery: In-person Pearson Professional Centers; English only.; is house cert: false; median salary: Not verified; metro line id: hotpink; prerequisites: 4 years paid experience in cybersecurity or AI: 2 in cybersecurity and 1 in at least two outline domains. CISSP, ISSAP, ISSEP, ISSMP, CCSP or CSSLP can substitute for the full experience requirement; eligible degree may waive one year.; skills gained: AI concepts and security · AI governance and risk · AI data protection · AI systems security · AI operations · AI threats; top employers: ; industry value: ; is on metro map: false; pairs well with: ; study hours low: Not verified; entry salary low: Not verified; salary range low: Not verified; study hours high: Not verified; dod 8140 approved: Not verified; entry salary high: Not verified; salary range high: Not verified; training cost low: Not verified; active us postings: Not verified; salary by org size: ; salary premium low: Not verified; training cost high: Not verified; yoy growth percent: Not verified; geographic hotspots: ; salary by geography: ; salary premium high: Not verified; total cost estimate: Not verified; renewal period years: Not verified; top hiring industries: ; active global postings: Not verified; experienced salary low: Not verified; experienced salary high: Not verified; next cert recommendation: Not verified
- OffSecupdated
OffSec Certified Professional / OSCP+
OffSec Certified Professional / OSCP+: vendor url. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
- ISC2updated
Systems Security Certified Practitioner
Systems Security Certified Practitioner: salary premium high. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
- IAPPprice change
Certified Information Privacy Manager
Certified Information Privacy Manager: exam cost usd. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- 550
- After
- Not verified
- ISACAupdated
Advanced in AI Audit
Advanced in AI Audit: total cost estimate. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- Not verified
- After
- Exam $459 member / $599 non-member; application fee additional.
- ISACAexam update
Advanced in AI Security Management
Advanced in AI Security Management: exam delivery. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- Exclusively available at testing centers, provided by PSI.
- After
- PSI center or remote proctoring; regional restrictions apply.
- ISC2exam update
Certified Cloud Security Professional
Certified Cloud Security Professional: exam format. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- 100-150 multiple choice and advanced item type questions, 3 hours time limit, 700 out of 1000 points passing score
- After
- 100–150 items; 180 minutes; multiple choice and advanced items; pass 700/1000. Computerized adaptive testing (CAT).
- ISACAupdated
Certified Information Systems Auditor
Certified Information Systems Auditor: salary premium high. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
- Microsoftupdated
Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate
Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate: renewal cost. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- No cost for renewal.
- After
- Free online renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn.
- ISACAupdated
Advanced in AI Security Management
Advanced in AI Security Management: total cost estimate. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- ~$1,100
- After
- Exam $459 member / $599 non-member; application fee additional.
- ISC2updated
Information Systems Security Architecture Professional
Information Systems Security Architecture Professional: renewal period years. Recorded by the October catalog audit; review date, not necessarily the issuer effective date.
What changed
- Before
- 3
- After
- Not verified