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EC-Council · Cybersecurity · Expert

EC-Council Certified CISO (C|CISO) exam guide

Exam 712-50

The EC-Council Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO) validates executive-level security leadership across governance, risk and audit; executive leadership; security program management; core competencies; and strategic planning and finance. It is designed for experienced managers stepping into CISO roles.

Questions150
Time limit150 minutes
Passing scoreSee official page
Exam feeSee official page
Valid for3 years
DeliveryEC-Council exam portal (remote proctored) or Pearson VUE test center

Format: Multiple choice. Fee note: Training from about $1,999 on demand; $100 application fee without authorized training.

Who it's for

Security directors and aspiring CISOs with at least five years of experience across the CCISO domains.

What the exam covers

Governance, Risk, Compliance, and Audit Management—
Organizational Executive Leadership—
Information Security Controls, Program Management and Operations—
Information Security Core Competencies—
Strategic Planning, Finance, Procurement, and Third-Party Management—

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

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: With authorized training: 5 years of experience in 3 of the 5 CCISO domains. Without training: 5 years in each of the 5 domains (overlap allowed) plus a $100 application fee. An Associate CCISO path exists for those with 2+ years in one domain or holding CISSP, CISM or CISA.

Recommended: Senior security management experience including budget and executive reporting.

Keeping it active

Valid 3 years. Maintain through the EC-Council Continuing Education (ECE) program: earn 120 ECE credits in the 3-year cycle and pay the annual ECE fee.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Security governance and board reporting
  • Risk, compliance and audit management
  • Security program design and operations
  • Security budgeting, finance and procurement
  • Vendor and third-party management
  • Executive leadership and strategy

Job roles

Chief Information Security OfficerDeputy CISODirector of Information SecuritySecurity Program DirectorvCISO Consultant

DoD 8140

Recognized in the DoD 8140 qualification matrix for cybersecurity executive and management work roles. Open the DoD Workforce Navigator

Where it fits in your path

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

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: Governance, risk, compliance and audit management.
  2. Week 2: Executive leadership and security program management and operations.
  3. Week 3: Core competencies: IAM, network, physical, BC/DR, cloud and emerging tech at a leadership level.
  4. Week 4: Strategic planning, finance, procurement and vendor management.
  5. Week 5: Practice exams with focus on budgeting and metrics 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-day tips

  • Expect finance questions such as ROI, TCO, capex vs opex and budget planning.
  • Answer as an executive balancing risk, cost and business goals.
  • 150 questions in 2.5 hours leaves 1 minute each; keep moving.
  • Know governance frameworks and audit standards at a decision-making level.
  • Vendor contract and SLA questions are common.

Key terms for this exam

All 8 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

How much does CCISO cost?

EC-Council sells CCISO with training from about $1,999 on demand; non-training applicants pay a $100 application fee plus the exam.

What experience do I need?

5 years in 3 of 5 domains with training, or 5 years in all 5 domains without it.

CCISO vs CISM?

CISM is more widely recognized for security management; CCISO goes deeper into executive topics such as finance and procurement.

What is Associate CCISO?

A path for candidates with 2+ years in one domain or holding CISSP, CISM or CISA who lack full CCISO experience.

How do I renew CCISO?

Earn 120 ECE credits over 3 years and pay the annual ECE fee.

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