Jacob Marks

Note: I originally wrote this post in 2017 but never published it at the time. Please note that the AWS certification landscape has changed significantly since then; this is provided strictly as a historical reference. Another year another re:Invent. This year at re:Invent 2017, because my associate was up for renewal again, I decided to sit for the AWS Solutions Architect Professional Exam. The exam is in beta phase where questions are being tested, refined and the exam pass line is being set. I won't find out if I passed until March 2017 and I can't share actual exam questions but I can share advice for others that are interested in the exam in the future. Note that as of Jan 2017 the beta is currently closed as it's proved to be very popular. Preparation: I entered the exam cold, drawing only on my working knowledge of AWS and its services so my perspective should be an unbiased view of the exam. There is an exam blueprint but it's been pulled from the AWS...

*** NOTE: AWS has pulled this specific certification version, refunding those who took the original beta exam. *** 2026 Status Update: The AWS Certified Security - Specialty is now a mature, standard certification. While the beta period mentioned below ended years ago, the core focus on deep-dive security across IAM, Encryption, and Incident Response remains the primary objective of the current exam version. I had the opportunity to take the AWS Certified Security Specialty Exam at re:Invent 2016. The exam was in a beta phase where questions were being tested, refined, and the exam pass line was being set. While I can't share actual exam questions, I can share advice for others interested in the certification path. Preparation I entered the exam cold, drawing only on my working knowledge of AWS and its services, so my perspective is an unbiased view of the exam's difficulty. While blueprints change, the foundational security pillars remain consistent. Format ...