he Certified Cybersecurity Operations Analyst (CCOA) is a globally recognized certification introduced by ISACA in 2025. It is designed for cybersecurity professionals with 2–3 years of experience who aim to validate and enhance their technical skills in real-world environments.
Key Features:
- Exam Format: The CCOA exam is a 4-hour hybrid assessment comprising 115 multiple-choice questions and 25 performance-based questions. It evaluates candidates across five job practice domains:
- Technology Essentials (25%)
- Cybersecurity Principles and Risks (20%)
- Adversarial Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (10%)
- Incident Response (34%)
- Security Operations and Monitoring (11%)
- Delivery Method: The exam is administered either at authorized PSI testing centers globally or as a remotely proctored exam, providing flexibility for candidates.
- Cost: The exam fee is US$399 for ISACA members and US$499 for non-members.
- Certification Process: After passing the exam, candidates must pay a one-time US$50 application processing fee and submit their application within five years of passing the exam.
This certification is ideal for professionals aiming to demonstrate their ability to evaluate cyber threats, identify vulnerabilities, recommend countermeasures, and respond effectively to cybersecurity incidents.