Security Focused: CompTIA (ISC)2 CASP Vs. CompTIA CASP CISSP

The Information Security industry is on the rise and it’s time to take a closer look at some of the most popular advanced security certifications. Today, we will be focusing on CASP (The CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner Certification) and how it fits into the security certifications landscape. Simply put, should you choose it or something else?
Although Cisco is currently redesigning and readjusting its Security track it doesn’t compete with CASP as much. CompTIA and Cisco certifications do not compare in the same way. Cisco certifications are vendor-based and solely focus on Cisco solutions and technologies. CompTIA certifications are vendor-neutral and focus on general security approaches, technologies, and solutions. CASP’s direct competitor would be CISSP, which was the highest-paid IT certification last year, and not Cisco. Before we compare CASP to CISSP, let’s take a closer at the CompTIA certification and what it requires.
CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP), Certification and Exam
The Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP), Certification is vendor-neutral, just like other CompTIA credentials. Although it doesn’t have any prerequisites, candidates must have at least 10 years of experience. This certification is an advanced level after CompTIA Security+.
CASP is an internationally-targeted certification of advanced-level security knowledge and skills. The CASP certification, which is designed to be used in conjunction with CompTIA Security+ or similar experience, has a technical, hands on focus at the enterprise level.
CASP validates that successful candidates have the technical knowledge and skills to design, engineer, and conceptualize secure solutions in complex enterprise environments. To implement enterprise drivers-oriented solutions, successful candidates use critical thinking and judgment across a wide range of security disciplines.
The CASP exam has 80 questions covering the following areas:
Enterprise Security
Risk Management, Policy/Procedure, and Legal
Research & Analysis
Integration of Computing, Communications, and Business Disciplines
The CompTIA website has a detailed CASP exam blueprint.
CASP vs. CISSP
How does CASP compare with CISSP? The latter is widely accepted and is often considered the standard for security professional certifications. Many IT professionals choose CISSP because it is perceived to be more valuable and more popular with employers.
This can partly be explained by the fact CISSP is older than CASP. Experts also state that the CISSP exam takes longer and is more difficult. The CISSP exam lasts 6 hours and contains 250 questions. The CASP exam takes 2 hours and has 80 questions. Candidates must also have prior experience and obtain a written authorization from someone who is certified and believes they are worthy to hold the certification.
What are the benefits of CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP), certification? CASP has been recognized by the US Department of Defense as a required certification for employees at IAT-3 and IAM-2 levels. It is evident that CISSP certification offers more information about information security and is more comprehensive. CompTIA’s CASP exam has many clear advantages. There are no formal prerequisites, it is easier to pass, you can get it faster, and there are no written recommendations. This certification can be a great career boost for IT security professionals working in government and private companies.