CCISO (Certified Chief Information Security Officer)
Demonstrate executive-level leadership across information security governance, risk management, program operations, core security concepts, strategic planning, finance, procurement, and vendor management.
Official Exam Specification & Quick Facts
Question Difficulty Breakdown
Exam Guidelines & Simulation Rules
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The CCISO program by EC-Council is an executive-level credential designed to produce top-tier information security executives capable of bridging the gap between technical security and executive boardroom leadership.
The CCISO exam consists of 150 scenario-based multiple-choice questions to be completed within 2.5 hours (150 minutes).
The passing score is between 70% and 75% depending on the specific exam form assigned by EC-Council.
Domain 1: Governance and Risk Management (Policy, Legal, Compliance), Domain 2: Information Security Management Controls (Audit & Management), Domain 3: Security Program Management & Operations, Domain 4: Information Security Core Competencies, and Domain 5: Strategic Planning, Finance, Procurement, and Vendor Management.
While CISSP is technical architecture and CISM is operational management, CCISO focuses on C-level executive leadership: budgeting, capital allocation, vendor procurement, board communications, and aligning security with enterprise growth.
Capital Expenditures (CapEx), Operational Expenditures (OpEx), Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), Return on Security Investment (ROSI), Net Present Value (NPV), and developing multi-million dollar security budgets.
Translating technical vulnerabilities and threat metrics into quantified financial risk, business impact, regulatory compliance status, and competitive advantages.
Negotiating enterprise software agreements, setting vendor security SLAs, evaluating third-party risk, conducting due diligence, and managing supplier lifecycles.
Candidates must possess a minimum of 5 years of senior security management experience across at least three of the five CCISO domains, verified through a formal application process.
Ensuring enterprise alignment with global data privacy mandates (GDPR, CCPA), industry regulations (PCI DSS, HIPAA), corporate governance rules (SOX, SEC), and executive personal liability.
Leading the executive incident response team, coordinating with legal counsel, PR, insurance carriers, law enforcement, and executive boards during catastrophic breaches.
Current and aspiring Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), Chief Security Officers (CSOs), Vice Presidents of Security, and senior security directors aiming for executive C-suite positions.