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ISC2 CC vs CCNA vs AWS Cloud Practitioner

ISC2 CC covers entry-level security concepts. CCNA goes further into network configuration and troubleshooting, while Cloud Practitioner covers high-level AWS knowledge. Because the scopes differ, there is no single best first certification for every goal.

Official issuer pages and outlines reviewed July 19, 2026

Match the exam to the knowledge gap

Select your learning goal, topic interest, and current experience. The matching rule uses topic scope only.

How matching works: learning goal contributes 3 alignment points, preferred topic 2, and experience context 1. The result compares content scope, not readiness, hiring odds, or exam results.

Closest match for your choices

ISC2 CC

All three options remain visible because the exams are not equivalent.

Closest match6 of 6 alignment points

ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)

Organize foundational security principles, access controls, network security, continuity and incident concepts, and security operations.

Its official scope centers on entry-level cybersecurity knowledge. Its domains directly cover principles, access controls, network security, and operations. ISC2 states that CC has no work-experience requirement.

Goal +3 · Topic +2 · Experience +1

CC outline effective October 1, 2025Requirements and sources →
Alternative 21 of 6 alignment points

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

Build high-level AWS cloud literacy across concepts, security and compliance, services, and billing, pricing, and support.

AWS says prior IT or cloud experience is not required and describes a target of up to six months of exposure.

Goal +0 · Topic +0 · Experience +1

CLF-C02Requirements and sources →
Alternative 30 of 6 alignment points

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Build a technical networking foundation around connectivity, switching, routing, network services and security, and operations.

This option does not directly match the selected content signals; compare its official scope before excluding it.

Goal +0 · Topic +0 · Experience +0

200-301 v1.1 through February 2, 2027; v2.0 begins February 3, 2027Requirements and sources →

What each credential focuses on

Use issuer scope before comparing brand recognition, course marketing, or job-posting mentions.

What to compareISC2 CCCisco CCNAAWS Cloud Practitioner
Issuer and levelISC2Entry-level cybersecurityCiscoAssociate networkingAmazon Web ServicesFoundational AWS cloud
Exam versionCC outline effective October 1, 2025200-301 v1.1 through February 2, 2027; v2.0 begins February 3, 2027CLF-C02
Experience contextISC2 states that no work experience is required for CC.Cisco lists no formal prerequisites, while noting that learners often benefit from experience implementing and administering Cisco solutions.AWS says prior IT or cloud experience is not required; the exam guide describes a target candidate with up to six months of AWS exposure.
Primary purposeOrganize foundational security principles, access controls, network security, continuity and incident concepts, and security operations.Build a technical networking foundation around connectivity, switching, routing, network services and security, and operations.Build high-level AWS cloud literacy across concepts, security and compliance, services, and billing, pricing, and support.
What it does not establishCC does not validate network-device configuration, AWS platform operation, job readiness, or authority to access or test systems.CCNA is broader and more configuration-oriented than an introductory security or cloud-literacy credential, but it does not establish cybersecurity-role readiness or vendor-neutral cloud competence.Cloud Practitioner is AWS-specific and high level. The official guide places coding, architecture design, implementation, troubleshooting, and performance testing outside the target candidate’s exam scope.

Official topic weightings

Percentages use the issuer’s stated exam-content unit and the version label shown on each panel. They are not estimates of study time or difficulty.

Do not compare percentages across exams as if the domains were equivalent. A 24% network-security domain in CC is not the same task scope as CCNA routing or AWS cloud-security content.

ISC2 CC

Current official CC exam-outline weights; percent of exam content.

Open profile →
  • Security Principles26%
  • BC, DR, and Incident Response Concepts10%
  • Access Controls Concepts22%
  • Network Security24%
  • Security Operations18%

The displayed weights apply to the outline effective October 1, 2025. ISC2 has announced a new CC outline effective September 1, 2026, so candidates testing on or after that date should use the replacement outline.

Cisco CCNA

Current official 200-301 v1.1 exam-topic weights; percent of the exam outline.

Open profile →
  • Network Fundamentals20%
  • Network Access20%
  • IP Connectivity25%
  • IP Services10%
  • Security Fundamentals15%
  • Automation and Programmability10%

The displayed weights use the current 200-301 v1.1 outline. Cisco states that v1.1 remains the test through February 2, 2027 and the published v2.0 replacement outline begins February 3, 2027. Candidates should use the outline in force on their test date.

AWS Cloud Practitioner

Current official CLF-C02 scored-content weights; percent of scored exam content.

Open profile →
  • Cloud Concepts24%
  • Security and Compliance30%
  • Cloud Technology and Services34%
  • Billing, Pricing, and Support12%

CLF-C02 is the current official exam guide reviewed for this comparison.

Check the official sources

Check the linked issuer material again before registering because exam versions, policies, and delivery terms can change.

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Global scope · Reviewed July 19, 2026

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

Global scope · Reviewed July 19, 2026

Turn the choice into a plan

Plan ISC2 CC study →Plan Cisco CCNA study →Plan AWS Cloud Practitioner study →Compare the network-to-security bridge →