Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity exam guide

Exam 100-160

CCST Cybersecurity proves foundational security knowledge: security principles, network and endpoint security, vulnerability and risk basics, and incident handling. It is an inexpensive first security credential that leads naturally into CCNA Cybersecurity and SOC analyst roles.

QuestionsSee official page

Time limit50 minutes

Passing scoreSee official page

Exam fee$125 USD

Valid for3 years

DeliveryProctored at a test center or online, scheduled through Cisco's certification portal

Format: Multiple choice (single and multiple answer), drag-and-drop, and simulation/testlet-style items; pass/fail.

Who it's for

Students, help desk staff and career changers aiming for SOC or security support roles who want a first, low-cost security credential.

What the exam covers

Essential Security Principles—

Basic Network Security Concepts—

Endpoint Security Concepts—

Vulnerability Assessment and Risk Management—

Incident Handling—

A dash means the vendor does not publish a weight for that domain.

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None.

Recommended: About 150 hours of instruction or self-study (for example Cisco Networking Academy's Introduction to Cybersecurity and related courses).

Keeping it active

Valid 3 years. Renew by passing the current version of the exam again before expiry; most holders instead progress to CCNA. Check Cisco's recertification page for current CE options for CCST.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

Explaining the CIA triad, defense in depth and common threat types
Basic firewall, ACL, VPN and wireless security concepts
Endpoint hardening, patching and malware protection
Interpreting vulnerability scan output and basic risk scoring
Following incident handling and evidence-preservation steps
Recognizing social engineering and phishing indicators

Job roles

SOC Analyst (Tier 1 trainee)Security Support TechnicianHelp Desk TechnicianJunior Cybersecurity AnalystIT Support Specialist

Where it fits in your path

Take before

Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ (ITF+)

Go next

Cisco CCNA Cybersecurity (formerly CyberOps Associate) CompTIA Security+ ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC)

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

Week 1: Security principles, threat actors and attack types; build a glossary.
Week 2: Network security controls (firewalls, ACLs, VPN, wireless security) and ports/protocols.
Week 3: Endpoint security, OS hardening, vulnerability scanning and CVSS basics.
Week 4: Incident response phases, logs and evidence handling; finish with timed practice questions.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam date Hours per week

Exam-day tips

Know the incident response phases in order and what happens in each.
Be able to match a control (preventive, detective, corrective) to a scenario.
Expect Windows and Linux command questions for checking processes, users and network connections.
Read scenario questions for the role you are playing: entry-level staff escalate rather than remediate alone.
Pace yourself; 50 minutes leaves little time to revisit many flagged items.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the CCST Cybersecurity exam?

US$125.

CCST Cybersecurity vs Security+?

CCST is shorter, cheaper and more introductory. Security+ is broader, widely requested in job postings and approved for DoD 8140 roles. Many candidates use CCST as a warm-up for Security+ or CCNA Cybersecurity.

Is CCST Cybersecurity worth it?

For beginners it is a low-risk way to validate fundamentals and get a first security line on a resume; on its own it rarely meets job requirements.

How long does it take to prepare?

Typically 3 to 6 weeks for someone with basic IT knowledge.

What comes after CCST Cybersecurity?

CCNA Cybersecurity (200-201) for SOC analyst roles, or CompTIA Security+.

Official page: www.cisco.com. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.

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