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156-561 Verified 2026 Edition

Check Point Certified Cloud Specialist (CCCS) R81.20 Practice Test

156-561 earns the current Check Point Certified Cloud Specialist (CCCS) credential, covering the R81.20 release and replacing the older 156-560 exam. The practice test drills CloudGuard network security architecture, deployment and scaling, clustering in the cloud, adaptive policy, and automation. It builds on the CCSA credential and leads toward the Check Point Certified Security Master credential.

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Exam Information

Official specifications published by Checkpoint

Exam Format

90 min
75
70%
Specialist (Infinity Specialist Accreditation)

Registration

$250 USD
Pearson VUE or online proctoring

Validity

2 years
Retake and pass the current CCCS exam; As an Infinity Specialist Accreditation (ISA), passing it after a valid CCSE can extend a CCSE/CCSM/CCSM Elite for 1 year (per Certification Program FAQ)

156-561 Exam Topics and Domains

156-561 is organized into 8 weighted domains. Expect to work with AWS, Azure, CloudGuard Network Security Gateway, CME, and more.

1

Introducing CloudGuard

12.5%

CloudGuard Network Security fundamentals

CloudGuard platform overview and value

Describe the core capabilities of Check Point CloudGuard and its role in securing cloud environments

2

CloudGuard Network Security Architectures

12.5%

Cloud security reference architectures

Single-gateway, scaling, and clustering architectures

Identify appropriate CloudGuard Network Security architectures for public cloud deployments

3

CloudGuard Network Security Management

12.5%

Deploying and managing the Security Management Server in the cloud

Security Management Server deployment (Azure and AWS)
  • Deploy a Security Management Server in Azure
  • Deploy a Security Management Server in AWS
4

CloudGuard Network Security Scaling

12.5%

Auto-scaling gateway solutions

Azure VMSS and AWS EC2 Auto Scaling for CloudGuard gateways
  • Deploy Azure VMSS for CloudGuard scaling
  • Deploy AWS EC2 Auto Scaling for CloudGuard scaling
5

CloudGuard Network Security Clustering in the Cloud

12.5%

High availability and clustering

Azure High Availability and AWS Cluster gateways
  • Create Azure High Availability for CloudGuard gateways
  • Create an AWS Cluster for CloudGuard gateways
6

CloudGuard Network Security Policy

12.5%

Adaptive security policy

Adaptive Security Policy with cloud data centers
  • Create Adaptive Security Policy in Azure
  • Create Adaptive Security Policy in AWS
7

CloudGuard Network Security Automation

12.5%

Automating CloudGuard deployment and management

Infrastructure as Code and API-driven automation

Automate CloudGuard Network Security deployment and management using IaC and the Management API

8

Troubleshoot CloudGuard Network Security

12.5%

Troubleshooting cloud gateway and management issues

Diagnosing connectivity, scaling, and policy problems

Troubleshoot CloudGuard Network Security deployments

How do I earn this certification?

Passing 156-561 earns the Check Point Certified Cloud Specialist (CCCS) — Infinity Specialist Accreditation certification. It sits in the Check Point Infinity Specialist Accreditations (Cloud) track.

Current Level Exams
Next Level Options
  • N/A - Check Point Certified Security Master (CCSM) Earned by holding a valid CCSE and completing any 2 Infinity Specialist Accreditations (CCCS can be one of them).
  • N/A - Check Point Certified Security Master Elite (CCSM Elite) Earned by a valid CCSM plus 2 additional Infinity Specialist Accreditations.
Alternative Paths
  • 156-521 - Automation Specialist - R81.20 (CCAS)Complementary automation/IaC skills that overlap with the CCCS automation module.
  • 156-590 - Threat Prevention Specialist (CTPS) Deepens threat prevention knowledge applied within cloud workloads.

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How to study for this exam?

The most effective way to prepare for 156-561 is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.

What's changed on this exam?

Current Status
ACTIVE
Updates
CloudGuard Network Security auto-scaling & clustering Adds Azure VMSS, AWS EC2 Auto Scaling, Azure HA, and AWS Cluster deployment as tested hands-on skills (from the retired CNSE courses).

Who should take this exam?

  • Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) — recommended learning path per official Course Overview
  • Base knowledge: Unix-like and/or Windows OS, internet & network fundamentals, network security, TCP/IP, system administration, cloud-native deployment
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Common Questions

What is the Check Point 156-561 exam?
156-561 is the exam for the Check Point Certified Cloud Specialist (CCCS) R81.20 accreditation. It validates your ability to deploy, scale, cluster, manage, automate, and troubleshoot Check Point CloudGuard Network Security in AWS and Azure. It is an Infinity Specialist Accreditation that counts toward the Check Point Certified Security Master (CCSM) path.
What is the difference between 156-560 and 156-561?
156-560 was the original Cloud Specialist (CCCS) exam and retired on December 31, 2024. 156-561 is the current CCCS exam based on R81.20, which folds in content from the retired CNSE-AWS and CNSE-Azure expert courses (auto-scaling, clustering, and automation across AWS and Azure). Candidates should now register for 156-561.
How do I register for the 156-561 CCCS exam and how much does it cost?
Register through Pearson VUE at vue.com/checkpoint. The CCCS exam is a multiple-choice exam; the commonly listed format is 75 questions in 90 minutes with a 70% passing score and a fee of about $250 USD. Check Point does not publish these format details on an official per-exam page, so confirm current specifics at registration.
What topics are covered on the 156-561 exam?
The official CCCS R81.20 course covers eight modules: Introducing CloudGuard; CloudGuard Network Security Architectures; Management; Scaling (Azure VMSS, AWS EC2 Auto Scaling); Clustering in the Cloud (Azure HA, AWS Cluster); Policy (Adaptive Security Policy); Automation; and Troubleshooting CloudGuard Network Security.
Do I need CCSA before taking the 156-561 CCCS exam?
CCSA is recommended on the official learning path but is not a hard prerequisite for the CCCS accreditation. Check Point also removed the former CCCS prerequisite from the CNSE exams when releasing R81.20.

Student Reviews

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Jenn K. Oct 2026 · via Trustpilot (opens in a new tab)
Most of the correct answers were answer 1 or A. It should be mixed up or at least have the option to randomize the order the answers appear. It did help me pass the exam without being a dump of the exam questions.
Scott S. Sep 2026 · via Trustpilot (opens in a new tab)
Really useful simulator, it's not as good as the official resources but still allows for multiple retakes, flash cards were useful, and allowed me to see my progress over time. Questions were challenging as well with detailed explanations
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