CSS® – Certified Security Specialist
The Specialist Standard for Physical Security Expertise
Certifies specialist-level expertise in physical security systems, controls, and risk mitigation.
What the CSS® Certification Validates
Specialist expertise in advanced physical security operations and risk-based design.
The Certified Security Specialist (CSS®) certification validates specialist-level competence in physical security strategy, implementation, systems integration, and risk mitigation for corporate environments.
CSS® confirms that a certified professional has mastered advanced concepts and practical skills in physical security beyond basic operational duties, preparing them to design, implement, manage, and audit complex physical security programs.
This certification is designed for professionals who have moved beyond entry-level or foundational roles and now hold responsibility for developing and overseeing physical security systems, controls, and risk assessments.
CSS® does not certify entry-level security fundamentals; instead, it validates specialist technical and strategic competency in physical security domains.
Pathway to CSS® Certification
Understand the scope, structure, and recognition of the Certified Security Manager credential
Become the Expert in Advanced Physical Security & Risk Assessment
The Certified Security Specialist (CSS®) credential is your global validation as a Physical Security Expert—a designation comparable to the industry’s leading specialist certifications. Building directly upon the foundation of the Certified Security Associate (CSA®), the CSS® is the mandatory next step for professionals ready to transition from operational tasks to strategic execution, advanced design, and comprehensive risk management.
This certification proves you possess the mastery to manage the lifecycle of complex physical security programs, from risk assessment (SRA) to advanced systems integration.
- Expert Validation: Establish yourself as a certified specialist in advanced physical security—the definitive global benchmark for this career level.
- Next-Step Advancement: The CSS® is the natural progression from the foundational CSA®: Physical Security & SOC Essentials.
- Master Advanced Concepts: Gain expertise in the proprietary CorpSecurity SRA Framework and systems integration to design and audit security at a system-wide level.
- Global Authority: Our credential is built by industry practitioners for real-world corporate security application and is recognized by multinational organizations worldwide.
- Pathway to Management: Earning the CSS® is a mandatory prerequisite to pursue the higher-level Certified Security Manager (CSM®) certification.
Ready to master the full lifecycle of physical security risk and design? Take the next step toward becoming a recognized Physical Security Expert.
What You Will Master: The 3 Pillars of Advanced Physical Security
The CSS® exam is built on a Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) organized into three critical domains, ensuring candidates have mastery over the full lifecycle of a security project.
| Domain | Focus Area | Percentage |
| Domain 1 | Physical Security Strategy & Risk Assessment | 35% |
| Domain 2 | Physical Security Controls Implementation & Management | 35% |
| Domain 3 | Physical Security Systems Integration & Audit | 30% |
| Track | Eligibility Requirement | Indicative Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Minimum 5 years of relevant physical security experience. | Security Officer / Security Executive / Security Supervisor / Security Specialist |
| Fast-Track | Minimum 4 years of experience with an active CSA® certification. | Security Officer / Security Executive / Security Supervisor / Security Specialist |
Eligibility is determined by professional experience and functional responsibility. Job titles vary by country and organization and are indicative only.
Pass with Confidence Using the Smart Learning System
CorpSecurity International provides an official training program to ensure your mastery of the CBK and preparation for the exam.
| Training Element | Detail |
| Training Format | 100% Online, Self-Paced Access. Includes 24/7 access to the Learning Portal with Dedicated Learner Support and Expert Mentor assistance to guide you through the curriculum. |
| Access Validity | 6 Months. This period covers your access to the entire learning platform and support resources. |
| Course Duration | Approximately 3 to 5 months (flexible to your schedule) |
| Key Resources | On-demand modules, Quick Review Notes, Domain-Wise Assessment Tests. |
The CSS® Exam Structure
| Exam Element | Specification |
| Time Limit | 2 hours and 30 minutes |
| Questions | 150 Multiple-Choice Questions |
| Delivery | Online / Secure Remote Proctored |
| Additional Requirement | None. (Project Work is a requirement for higher-level credentials.) |
| Note | The Project Work requirement is a pre-condition for subsequent certifications like CSM® and CSD®. |
| Pass percentage | A minimum score of 80% on the final examination is required to successfully pass the CSS assessment. |
Earning and Maintaining Your CSS® Credential
Passing the exam is the final knowledge checkpoint, but two additional steps are required to officially earn the CSS® designation and ensure its ongoing validity: the Certification Application (including the Annual Maintenance Fee) and Continuing Professional Education (CPE).
Step 1: The Final Application & AMF (Post-Exam Verification)
After successfully passing the CSS® exam, you must submit your final application for official award of the credential. This step validates your experience and finalizes your designation.
- Application Submission: Submit your required documentation, including the signed Code of Conduct and proof of required work experience (5 years, or 4 years with CSA®).
- Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF): Payment of the first Annual Maintenance Fee is required to finalize your certification.
- Fee: $99 USD (or equivalent in local currency).
- Benefit: This is a single annual fee that covers the maintenance of ALL CorpSecurity International certifications you hold (CSA®, CSS®, CSI®, CSM®, CSD®).
- Award: Once approved by the Certification Board and the AMF is paid, you are officially awarded the Certified Security Specialist (CSS®) designation.
Step 2: Recertification and CPEs
To maintain the prestige and currency of your certification, you must adhere to the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program.
| Requirement | Detail |
| Recertification Cycle | 3 years |
| Total CPE Required | 60 CPE credits per 3-year cycle |
| Annual Goal | Recommended 20 CPE credits annually (or 60 total in 3 years) |
| Relevance | All CPE activities must relate to the CSS® exam domains or the broader field of corporate security management. |
| Benefit | Earning CPEs ensures your skills remain current with the latest trends and cutting-edge practices in the security industry. |
Grace Period: You have a three-month grace period after your certification’s expiry date to complete the recertification process, but all 60 CPEs must have been earned within the original three-year cycle.
Book CSS® Certification Exam
$400
The CSS® Exam – Domain Coverage
The Certified Security Specialist (CSS®) exam assesses professional responsibility across the following management domains:
Domain 1: Physical Security Strategy & Risk Assessment
- Conduct Security Risk Assessments using CorpSecurity SRA Framework
- Identify and mitigate operational risks
- Design cost-effective physical controls and measures
Domain 2: Physical Security Controls Implementation & Management
- Manage Personnel, Structural, Procedural & Technological Controls
- Apply CPTED principles and integrate barriers, lighting, and locks
- Implement automated access control, CCTV, alarms & detection systems
Domain 3: Physical Security Systems Integration & Audit
- Plan and execute end-to-end integration
- Conduct installation testing, acceptance, and maintenance
- Train operators and develop escalation procedures
Official CSS® Certificate
A globally recognized credential validating security management responsibility
Why Top Professionals Choose CorpSecurity
A globally trusted certification authority for corporate & physical security.
Globally Recognized Certification Authority
CorpSecurity International establishes internationally consistent, role-aligned certification standards trusted by security professionals and employers across regions and industries.
Structured Professional Ascent Framework
A clearly defined certification pathway — Professional → Specialist → Management → Executive — aligned with real-world career progression and experience milestones.
Practitioner-Governed Standards
All certifications are designed, reviewed, and governed by experienced security practitioners, ensuring relevance to real corporate security responsibilities — not academic theory.
CorpSecurity Global Professional Network
Certified professionals gain access to a global professional network supporting peer recognition, leadership engagement, and continuous professional development.
Global Security Insights
Members receive curated CorpSecurity Global Security Insights — practitioner-led intelligence, trends, and analysis for modern security professionals and decision-makers
Independent Governance & Proven Trust
CorpSecurity operates under independent certification governance, supported by sustained global adoption and verified professional trust.
CSS® Certified Professionals
A selection of professionals holding the CorpSecurity CSS® certification.
Muhammad Shafi Bin Mohmmed, CSS®
Security Supervisor
Singapore
Girish NH, CSS®
Senior Security Officer
India
Col. Alok Kumar, CSS®
General Manager Security
India
Rajepete Sanjeeev, CSS®
Assistant Security Manager
India
Eddy E Omokhodion, CSM®, CSI®, CSS®
Regional Security Advisor
Nigeria
Manoj Kumar Yadav, CSM®, CSI®, CSS®
Chief Security Officer
India
Avinash Yadav, CSS®
Assistant Security Manager
India
Kihikire Nathan, CSS®
Operations Manager
kenya
Vikeesh Gupta, CSS®
Security Consultant
India
Sunil Dutt Sharma, CSS®
Sr Security Officer
India
Keromilwe Fredrick Marumo, CSS®
Security Officer
Botswana
