Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity is Cisco's entry-level security credential — no prerequisites, no assumed experience, and a deliberately short 50-minute exam. If you are exploring a security career, still in school, or want a low-cost first credential before CompTIA Security+, CCST Cybersecurity is built exactly for that on-ramp.
This guide covers the exam format itself: cost, time, scoring, question types, retake rules, validity period, and what the exam actually tests. For the week-by-week study path, see the 4-week CCST Cybersecurity study plan. For a fast final-review reference, see the CCST Cybersecurity cheat sheet.
What CCST Cybersecurity is (and is not)
CCST Cybersecurity sits at the entry-level / Foundational tier of Cisco's certification ladder — alongside CCST Networking and CCST IT Support, and well below the Associate tier (CCNA).
What CCST Cybersecurity is:
- A concepts-first credential. Expect scenario-based questions that ask you to pick the right security control or principle for a described situation, not deep configuration work.
- A true beginner exam. No professional experience or prior certification is assumed — basic IT and networking literacy is enough of a starting point.
- A genuine on-ramp into security specifically, distinct from CCST Networking (routing/switching basics) and CCST IT Support (hardware/OS troubleshooting).
What CCST Cybersecurity is not:
- Not a substitute for CompTIA Security+. Security+ is broader, DoD 8570/8140-approved, and the credential most security job listings actually name — see CCST Cybersecurity vs Security+ for the full comparison.
- Not hands-on configuration-heavy the way CCNA is. There are no Cisco IOS simulation items on 100-160 — the format stays at the multiple-choice and scenario-selection level throughout.
- Not a standalone career credential for most security job postings. Think of it as proof you understand the fundamentals, not a hiring-manager checkbox the way Security+ or CCNA can be.
CCST Cybersecurity exam format at a glance
The exam format is approximately 35 questions in 50 minutes, delivered as multiple choice, multiple response, and drag-and-drop matching items, for a $125 fee:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | ~35 (multiple choice, multiple response, drag-and-drop) |
| Time limit | 50 minutes |
| Cost | $125 USD |
| Passing score | Not published; ~70% widely cited |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE test center or Pearson OnVUE online proctoring |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Languages | English |
50 minutes for roughly 35 questions works out to under 90 seconds per question on average — tighter than it sounds given the exam leans on short scenario stems rather than long reading passages, but still enough to eliminate obviously wrong answers and reason through the rest without rushing.
100-160 price and discounts
The Cisco CCST Cybersecurity exam price is $125 USD, charged at booking through Pearson VUE. Cisco Networking Academy partners and some school or workforce-development programs offer discounted or fully-sponsored vouchers for CCST exams specifically, since the line was built in part to reach students — check with your program before paying list price.
Pearson VUE converts the price to local currency at checkout in non-USD regions. VAT or local sales tax may apply on top of the $125 depending on your country.
How Cisco scores 100-160
Cisco does not officially publish the CCST Cybersecurity passing score. The figure most widely cited by training providers is around 70 percent, but treat this as a well-informed estimate rather than an official number. As with Cisco's other exams, scoring is likely scaled rather than a flat raw percentage, and some questions may be unscored experimental items with no indication of which ones.
CertSharp's recommendation: score consistently above 80 percent on practice questions before booking. A comfortable margin above the commonly cited threshold protects you from an unlucky mix of harder-than-average scored items on exam day.
Question types on 100-160
100-160 stays lighter than an Associate-tier exam — there are no Cisco IOS simulations, only these formats:
- Multiple choice. The dominant format — a short scenario or definitional stem, four options, one correct answer.
- Multiple response. “Select TWO” or “select THREE” items with no partial credit — every correct option must be selected.
- Drag-and-drop matching. Match a security term to its definition, or match a threat/vulnerability to the correct control that mitigates it.
A representative pattern: the exam describes a scenario (“an organization wants to limit blast radius if one account is compromised”) and asks you to identify the underlying security principle (least privilege) rather than define the term cold. Studying definitions alone without practicing the scenario-to-principle mapping is the most common gap — see how to pass CCST Cybersecurity on the first try for worked examples of this exact pattern.
The five exam domains
Cisco publishes five domains with their relative weights:
| # | Domain | Weight | ~Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Essential Security Principles | 17% | ~6 |
| 2 | Basic Network Security Concepts | 22% | ~8 |
| 3 | Endpoint Security Concepts | 26% | ~9 |
| 4 | Vulnerability Assessment and Risk Management | 17% | ~6 |
| 5 | Incident Handling | 17% | ~6 |
Endpoint Security Concepts carries the largest single weight — malware types, endpoint protection platforms, and hardening basics live here. Basic Network Security Concepts is close behind, covering firewalls, VPNs, and network segmentation at a conceptual level. Essential Security Principles is smaller by weight but foundational — the CIA triad, least privilege, and defense in depth introduced here reappear as the reasoning behind nearly every other domain's questions. See The CIA Triad Explained for the concept every other domain builds on.
Pearson VUE test center vs OnVUE
Both delivery methods produce the same exam content and the same pass/fail outcome.
Pearson VUE test center is in-person. You arrive with valid ID, store your belongings in a locker, and sit at a provided workstation while center staff proctor in person.
Pearson OnVUE online proctoring lets you test from home. You install the OnVUE application, complete an ID check and room scan on camera, and a remote proctor monitors you for the full 50 minutes. You need a stable connection, a single monitor, and a private room with a clear desk.
Which to choose: because 100-160 has no simulation-heavy content and runs only 50 minutes, the stakes of a connection hiccup are lower here than on a longer, simlet-based exam like CCNA. OnVUE is the more convenient default for most candidates; a test center is worth choosing only if your home internet is genuinely unreliable or you simply prefer an in-person environment.
How to register for 100-160
- Create or sign in to your Cisco.com account, which links to your Cisco Certification Tracking System profile.
- Go to Pearson VUE's Cisco certification portal and select 100-160 CCST Cybersecurity.
- Choose a delivery method: Pearson VUE test center or Pearson OnVUE online.
- Pick an available date and time slot — OnVUE slots run 24/7 in most regions.
- Pay the $125 fee (or apply a program voucher if you have one).
- Save the confirmation email; it has your exam appointment details and any pre-exam requirements.
You can reschedule for free up to 24 hours before your appointment. Inside that window, you forfeit the exam fee.
ID and check-in rules
You need government-issued photo ID that matches the name on your Cisco.com account exactly. For OnVUE, check-in opens 30 minutes before your slot and includes a full room scan (walls, desk, ceiling) via your webcam. Clear your desk completely and remove watches, headphones, and any second screen. For test centers, arrive at least 15 minutes early; late arrivals beyond the grace period forfeit the appointment.
Cisco's escalating CCST retake policy
Cisco applies the same escalating wait period to CCST Cybersecurity as every other Cisco certification exam:
| Failed attempt | Wait before retake |
|---|---|
| 1st fail | 5 calendar days |
| 2nd fail | 30 calendar days |
| 3rd fail | 45 calendar days |
| 4th and later fails | 180 calendar days |
At $125 per attempt, a failed first try is a smaller financial hit than on CCNA or Security+, but the escalating wait still applies in full — there is no lighter version of the policy for entry-level exams. Use any mandatory wait to drill your weakest domain from Cisco's post-exam score breakdown.
How long the credential lasts
CCST Cybersecurity is valid 3 years from the pass date, Cisco's standard certification cycle. Most candidates do not renew it directly — the typical path is progressing to CompTIA Security+ or a Cisco Associate-tier certification before the 3-year window closes, which is a perfectly reasonable way to treat an entry-level credential built as a stepping stone.
Prerequisites and recommended background
CCST Cybersecurity has no prerequisites — no required prior certification, no minimum professional experience. Cisco designed it for students, career-changers, and anyone exploring security for the first time. Basic IT and networking literacy (knowing what a firewall or a router does, conceptually) makes the material land faster, but is not formally required.
CCST Cybersecurity on the Cisco certification ladder
CCST Cybersecurity sits at the same entry-level tier as CCST Networking and CCST IT Support — all three are no-prerequisite, low-cost, low-stakes credentials built for beginners, each specializing in a different first direction (security, networking, or IT support respectively).
| Certification | Tier | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCST IT Support | Foundational | $125 | Help-desk and hardware/OS beginners |
| CCST Networking | Foundational | $125 | Complete networking beginners |
| CCST Cybersecurity | Foundational | $125 | Complete security beginners |
| CCNA | Associate | $300 | Network engineers, NOC, infrastructure roles |
Unlike the CCST-to-CCNA jump in networking, Cisco has no direct Associate-tier follow-on to CCST Cybersecurity — Cisco's next security-focused credentials sit at the Professional tier (CyberOps Associate is the closer match, but is a separate track). Most CCST Cybersecurity graduates move to CompTIA Security+ next, since it is the credential most entry- and mid-level security job postings actually name. See CCST Cybersecurity vs Security+ — Which Next?
Study resources that actually help
- Cisco's official 100-160 exam topics at cisco.com/.../ccst-cybersecurity. Always the source of truth for domains and objectives.
- CertSharp's 500-question CCST Cybersecurity bank. Mapped domain-by-domain to the exam topics, with an explanation on every question. Try 30 free questions.
- The CertSharp CCST Cybersecurity study plan at /blog/ccst-cybersecurity-study-plan-2026.
- Concept explainers for the foundational principles the whole exam builds on — start with the CIA triad.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Cisco CCST Cybersecurity exam cost?
The Cisco CCST Cybersecurity (100-160) exam costs $125 USD per attempt, paid at booking through Cisco’s Pearson VUE registration. The fee is identical whether you sit it at a physical Pearson VUE test center or online via Pearson OnVUE — Cisco does not charge a premium or discount for either delivery method. This makes CCST Cybersecurity meaningfully cheaper than the Associate-tier CCNA ($300) or CompTIA’s Security+ ($404), which is deliberate: Cisco built the CCST line specifically as a low-cost, low-barrier entry point for students and career-changers, not as a credential competing directly with Security+ on scope. Some school districts and Cisco Networking Academy partners run discounted or bundled voucher programs, so check with your program before paying list price. Factor local currency conversion and any applicable VAT into your budget outside the United States, since Pearson VUE converts the USD price at checkout.
How many questions are on the CCST Cybersecurity exam?
Cisco does not publish an exact question count for 100-160 — expect approximately 35 questions in the 50-minute window, mixing multiple choice, multiple response, and interactive item types (drag-and-drop matching, scenario-based selections). This is a noticeably shorter and lighter exam than an Associate-tier credential like CCNA (~100-120 questions, 120 minutes) or a vendor-neutral competitor like Security+ (up to 90 questions, 90 minutes) — consistent with CCST’s design as an entry-level, no-prerequisite credential rather than a deep validation of professional-level skill. As with other Cisco exams, not every question necessarily counts toward your final score; treat every question as if it counts rather than trying to guess which ones might be unscored experimental items.
What is the passing score for CCST Cybersecurity?
Cisco does not officially publish an exact passing score for 100-160. A figure around 70 percent is the most commonly cited benchmark among training providers and test-takers, but treat it as a well-informed estimate rather than an official cut score, since Cisco scores are typically scaled rather than a flat raw percentage. CertSharp recommends scoring consistently above 80 percent on full-length practice questions before booking your real attempt — a comfortable margin above the commonly cited threshold protects you against an unlucky scaling outcome or an unusually difficult mix of scored items on exam day, especially given how disproportionately annoying (if not financially painful, at $125) a failed first attempt is on a credential this entry-level.
Is the CCST Cybersecurity exam open book?
No. 100-160 is closed book under proctored conditions, whether you sit it at a Pearson VUE test center or online via Pearson OnVUE. You cannot use notes, a second monitor, a phone, a smartwatch, or any reference material during the exam — this applies equally to both delivery methods, since OnVUE proctors conduct a full room scan before you begin specifically to confirm your desk is clear and no unauthorized materials are within reach. Build your final review around materials you can memorize before the exam, not materials you plan to consult mid-exam — the CertSharp CCST Cybersecurity cheat sheet is designed exactly for that pre-exam use case, not for the exam room itself.
Can I take the CCST Cybersecurity exam online?
Yes. Cisco uses Pearson OnVUE for online proctoring on 100-160 in most countries, letting you test from home instead of traveling to a test center. You need a webcam, a reliable internet connection, a single monitor, and a private room with a clear desk. The proctor scans your entire space — walls, desk surface, and ceiling — before you begin, then monitors you continuously via webcam and screen-share for the full 50 minutes. Test centers remain available in most regions if you prefer not to test from home or your local regulations restrict online proctoring. Given the exam’s short 50-minute window and lack of simulation-heavy content, a dropped connection is less catastrophic here than on a longer, simlet-heavy exam like CCNA — but a stable connection still removes one avoidable source of stress on exam day.
How long is the CCST Cybersecurity certification valid?
CCST Cybersecurity is valid for 3 years from the pass date, the same standard validity window Cisco applies across its entire certification portfolio, from entry-level CCST exams up through CCNP concentration exams. You can recertify by retaking the current version of 100-160, earning Continuing Education (CE) credits through Cisco’s CE program, or passing a higher-level Cisco certification — which recertifies CCST Cybersecurity automatically as a side effect. Most candidates treat CCST Cybersecurity as a stepping stone rather than a credential they actively maintain for a full 3 years — the common path is progressing to CompTIA Security+ or a Cisco Associate-tier credential well before the renewal window closes.
What is Cisco's CCST Cybersecurity retake policy?
Cisco applies the same escalating wait period to CCST Cybersecurity as every other Cisco certification exam: 5 calendar days after a first fail, 30 days after a second, 45 days after a third, and 180 days after a fourth or later fail. There is no cap on total lifetime attempts, but you pay the full $125 fee every time — there is no reduced retake pricing. Because the fee is relatively low compared to Cisco’s Associate and Professional tiers, the financial sting of a failed attempt is smaller here than on CCNA or CCNP, but the escalating wait still functions as a genuine deterrent against re-booking before you have actually closed your knowledge gaps. Use any mandatory wait to drill your weakest domain from Cisco’s post-exam score breakdown rather than simply re-sitting an identical set of practice questions.
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