ISACA CMMC Certified Professional (CCP) Practice Exam

ISACA CMMC Certified Professional (CCP) Practice Exam

About the ISACA CMMC Certified Professional (CCP) Practice Exam

The CMMC Certified Professional (CCP) certification validates foundational knowledge of the CMMC framework, its governance structure, assessment process, scoping requirements, and cybersecurity practice evaluation.

The certification is designed to help learners understand how CMMC applies to organizations within the Defense Industrial Base and how professionals can support organizations in becoming assessment-ready.

Knowledge Gained

• Learn how to interpret CMMC source documents, understand the distinction between Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), evaluate cybersecurity practices, review evidence, understand assessment activities, and determine appropriate assessment scope.
• The CCP credential is particularly useful for professionals entering the CMMC ecosystem, organizations preparing for CMMC compliance, and individuals looking to build a pathway toward becoming a CMMC Certified Assessor.

Why Choose the CMMC Certified Professional (CCP)?

CMMC is creating a need for professionals who understand both cybersecurity requirements and the assessment process.

A CCP certification can help you:

• Build a strong foundation in the CMMC framework
• Understand CMMC governance and source documentation
• Develop assessment-ready cybersecurity knowledge
• Learn how CMMC practices are evaluated
• Understand assessment evidence requirements
• Develop skills in CMMC assessment preparation
• Support organizations preparing for CMMC assessments
• Build a pathway toward CMMC Certified Assessor certification
• Strengthen your cybersecurity, compliance, audit and GRC profile

Who Should Take the CCP Course?

The CCP certification can be valuable for:

Defense Industry Professionals

• Professionals working for organizations that need to prepare for CMMC requirements.

IT and Security Managers

• Technology leaders responsible for implementing and maintaining cybersecurity practices.

GRC and Compliance Professionals

• Professionals managing governance, risk and compliance programs.

Cybersecurity Professionals

• Security professionals who want to specialize in CMMC and Defense Industrial Base compliance.

IT Auditors

• Auditors seeking to expand their knowledge of cybersecurity assessments and CMMC requirements.

Aspiring CMMC Assessors

• Professionals planning to progress toward the CMMC Certified Assessor (CCA) credential.

Early-Career Cybersecurity Professionals

• Professionals looking to enter the CMMC and defense cybersecurity compliance space.

Skills Required

Candidates should ideally have a basic understanding of:

• Cybersecurity concepts
• Information technology
• Security controls
• Risk and compliance
• IT governance
• Assessment and audit concepts
• Security documentation
• Evidence collection
• Federal cybersecurity requirements

The certification does not require candidates to already be CMMC assessors. However, the certification application requires candidates to meet specified education or experience requirements.

What You Will Learn?

After completing the course, you will be able to:

• Explain the CMMC ecosystem and its key participants
• Understand the roles and responsibilities within the CMMC framework
• Apply professional conduct and ethics requirements
• Distinguish between FCI and CUI
• Navigate CMMC governance and source documents
• Understand CMMC model structure and cybersecurity practices
• Evaluate implementation of applicable CMMC practices
• Assess the quality and sufficiency of evidence
• Understand the CMMC Assessment Process
• Support assessment planning and preparation
• Understand assessment team responsibilities
• Understand assessment reporting activities
• Understand POA&M evaluation requirements
• Apply high-level CMMC scoping principles
• Determine appropriate scope for FCI assets

Detailed CCP Course Outline

The current CCP examination is organized into six job-practice domains.

Module 1: CMMC Ecosystem (5%)

• Understanding the CMMC Environment
• Overview of the CMMC ecosystem
• Key CMMC stakeholders
• Roles and responsibilities of ecosystem participants
• Authorities and governing bodies
• Relationships between organizations involved in CMMC
• Responsibilities of professionals operating within the CMMC ecosystem
• Applying Ecosystem Knowledge
• Identifying appropriate authorities
• Comparing roles and responsibilities
• Understanding how different participants interact

Recognizing responsibilities associated with CMMC implementation and assessment

Module 2: CMMC Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics (5%)

• Professional Conduct
• CMMC professional responsibilities
• Ethical expectations
• Professional integrity
• Independence and objectivity
• Appropriate professional behavior
• Code of Professional Conduct
• CMMC-AB Code of Professional Conduct
• Applicable ISO/IEC requirements
• Department of War requirements
• Professional obligations
• Ethical decision-making
• Applying Ethical Principles
• Recognizing ethical issues
• Applying professional conduct requirements
• Maintaining integrity during assessment activities
• Understanding prohibited or inappropriate conduct

Module 3: CMMC Governance and Source Documents (15%)

• Federal Contract Information and Controlled Unclassified Information
• Understanding FCI
• Understanding CUI
• FCI and CUI in nonfederal environments
• Differences between FCI and CUI
• Protection considerations
• Organizational responsibilities
• Roles and Responsibilities
• Responsibilities relating to FCI
• Responsibilities relating to CUI
• Authority and accountability
• Organizational roles
• Security responsibilities
• CMMC Source Documents
• CMMC Model
• CMMC Assessment Process
• CMMC Assessment Guides
• Scoping guidance
• Supporting documentation
• Understanding relationships between source documents

Module 4: CMMC Model Construct and Implementation Evaluation (35%)

• Understanding the CMMC Model
• CMMC model structure
• CMMC practices
• Security requirements
• Practice implementation
• CMMC maturity concepts
• Applying CMMC source documentation
• Evaluating CMMC Practices
• Reviewing cybersecurity practice implementation
• Applying assessment criteria
• Using CMMC source documents
• Interpreting assessment requirements
• Evaluating implementation in practical scenarios
• Evidence Evaluation
• Identifying appropriate evidence
• Evidence collection
• Evidence location
• Evidence quality
• Evidence sufficiency
• Evidence usage
• Determining whether evidence adequately supports implementation
• Scenario-Based Evaluation
• Analyzing organizational scenarios
• Selecting appropriate assessment criteria
• Interpreting evidence
• Identifying implementation issues
• Determining whether practices have been appropriately implemented

Module 5: CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) (25%)

Phase 1: Plan and Prepare the Assessment

• Assessment planning
• Assessment preparation
• Assessment objectives
• Assessment team responsibilities
• CCP responsibilities during assessment preparation
• Assessment planning activities

Phase 2: Conduct the Assessment

• Assessment activities
• Assessment team participation
• Evidence review
• Interviews
• Examination activities
• Observation activities
• Applying assessment requirements

Phase 3: Report Assessment Results

• Assessment findings
• Reporting requirements
• Assessment documentation
• CCP responsibilities in reporting
• Communicating assessment results

Phase 4: Evaluate Outstanding POA&M Items

• Plans of Action and Milestones
• Outstanding assessment issues
• Evaluation of POA&M items
• Assessment follow-up
• CCP responsibilities in the evaluation process
• Applying CAP to CMMC Level 2
• Assessment phases
• Assessment steps
• Scenario-based assessment decisions
• Supporting Level 2 assessment activities
• Applying the CAP in practical situations

Module 6: CMMC Scoping (15%)

• Understanding CMMC Scope 
• Purpose of assessment scoping
• High-level CMMC scoping concepts
• Assessment boundaries
• Organizational environment
• Assets within the assessment environment
• FCI Assets
• Understanding FCI assets
• Identifying relevant assets
• Evaluating organizational environments
• Determining appropriate scope
• Applying scoping concepts to scenarios
• Scenario-Based Scoping
• Analyzing organizational environments
• Identifying assets relevant to scope
• Determining appropriate assessment boundaries
• Applying CMMC scoping principles

CCP Exam Details

• Total Questions: 170
• Examination Type: Computer-based
• Testing Provider: PSI
• Test Centers: Authorized PSI testing centers globally
• Remote Testing: Available through remote proctoring
• Exam Eligibility Period: 6 months

ISACA states that CCP examinations are administered through authorized PSI testing centers or remote proctoring. Candidates can register continuously, and appointments may be available as early as 48 hours after payment, subject to availability.

CCP Certification Requirements

Passing the examination is only one part of obtaining the CCP certification. Candidates must:

1. Complete Mandatory CCP Training

• Candidates must complete the required CCP training through an approved training provider before earning the certification.

2. Pass the CCP Examination

• Successfully complete the 170-question CCP examination.

3. Meet Education or Experience Requirements

Candidates must have either:

• A college degree in a cyber or information technology field, or
• At least two years of related education experience, or
• At least two years of related experience, including military experience, in cybersecurity, information technology, or assessment.

4. Complete the Certification Application

• Submit the certification application and pay the applicable US$200 application processing fee.

5. Complete the Required Background Investigation

• Candidates must attain a positively adjudicated Tier 3 background investigation by the Department of War.

6. Meet Professional Requirements

• CCP holders must adhere to applicable professional ethics and continuing professional education requirements.

CCP Certification Process

• Step 1: Complete CCP Training - Complete the mandatory training through an approved training provider.
• Step 2: Prepare for the Exam - Study the six CCP domains and practice applying CMMC requirements to realistic scenarios.
• Step 3: Register and Take the Exam - Register with ISACA and schedule your examination through PSI.
• Step 4: Apply for Certification - After successfully completing the examination and meeting the applicable requirements, submit your CCP certification application.

Step 5: Complete Background Requirements

• Meet the required Tier 3 background investigation requirement.

Step 6: Maintain Your Certification

• Meet continuing professional education and other ongoing certification requirements.

Career Opportunities

CCP certification can support career development in:

• CMMC Compliance
• Cybersecurity Governance
• IT Security
• Risk and Compliance
• Security Assessment
• GRC
• IT Audit
• Defense Industry Cybersecurity
• CMMC Consulting
• Cybersecurity Assessment Support

Potential job titles include:

CMMC Certified Professional | CMMC Compliance Specialist | Cybersecurity Compliance Analyst | GRC Analyst | Cybersecurity Analyst | IT Security Specialist | CMMC Consultant | Security Assessment Analyst