Every IT company has to take responsibility for its Cybersecurity measures seriously with increasing amounts of data, and the consequences strung with the possibility of losing that data. In such a precarious position, security management officials are important personnel who help these companies tackle this seemingly grim situation with their diagnostic skills and making provisions for essential architecture that each company needs. In addition, they help the stakeholders understand the need for different guarding procedures and give value to the investment made. In such a scenario, it becomes even more helpful for employers to hire efficient professionals to take the lead of their Cybersecurity department, and certifications help make that judgment. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is one such certification that is widely accepted and has a good reputation in the industry due to its skill requirements and the ethical standards it sets for each applicant to be certified, ranging from diligence in work, maintaining the confidentiality and delivering to social welfare.

ELIGIBILITY AND EXAM PROCEDURE

Security professionals with a minimum of 5-year experience in the IT Cybersecurity field can apply for CISSP. This minimum requirement has a few waivers based on appropriate educational background.

After fulfilling the basic eligibility criteria, the candidate has to pass the CISSP examination, which is a three-hour-long multiple-choice exam. Besides the examination, the candidate has to disclose any relevant criminal background and also promise to adhere to the CISSP Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics tests the welfare backgrounds of the individual, dedication to work, and sets confidentiality agreements for the employer and employee.

In addition to this, the person should have his qualifications attested by a reputed (ISC)2 member. The examination fee is $699 USD, and a renewal fee is charged annually.

CONTENT MATTER

The CISSP subject matter is processed into different modules, which are called domains. Each domain focuses on separate skills and measures the individual’s expertise in that area. These skills vary from risk and access management to architecture engineering and framework design. These topics are bundled together under CBK (Common Body of Knowledge), which establishes certain minimum standards that IS and IT security officials should follow.

PREPARATION AND PASSING THE EXAM

Strict discipline is required to pass the exam, and training for it is just as important. Thankfully, the official (ISC)2 training routine serves as a great help for preparing the candidate. The official routine is guided by experts and provides a flexible experience with three modes of learning – self-paced, instructor-led, and team training. All these modules prepare the candidate in the same course matter in different approaches, and the candidate may choose any of them according to their preference. The course includes addressing management and administration required for every Cybersecurity leadership position, privacy, and security of cloud-based services and finally, engineering solutions to business security threats. The routine provides the latest and reliable content necessary for the exam. 

The in-person training program helps a person get 4-5 days of personalized guidance by the organization’s authorized trainers who can give a trustworthy assessment of the candidate’s readiness. In addition, the individual can also collaborate with their classmates to get valuable insights.

There is also an online instructor-led training mode where candidates can get help from an authorized instructor and get continued access to the course materials for revision and preparation. Also, live online support is a bonus feature.

The self-paced module also provides candidates the option to go through the course content by themselves at their own pace with the aid of pre-recorded videos and assessment material. Access to this material continues for 180 days. Apart from all these options, the organization also provides physical materials and resources for training.

The CISSP certification is ANSI standardized, and the accreditation is very reputed among IT professionals worldwide. It is also accepted by government organizations such as the US Department of Defense (DoD) and the United Kingdom National Agency for Recognition Information Center (UK NARIC). The different critical points on which the certification program merits its candidates, including valuable and accountable work experience in the specific line of work, makes it trustworthy. (ISC)2 provides the necessary support and guidance to their members and customers as well. The high paying job salaries and the unique leadership positions the professionals are able to take on are proof of CISSP legacy. In addition, the flexibility of work positions makes these candidates very attractive profit opportunities to employers. It is undoubtedly one of the best certification programs in the market.