We know that cybersecurity is referred to as the protection of networks and computer systems for the stealing of confidential information, manipulating them, or any unethical or illegal use. With technology evolving at a faster pace like never before, the security systems also need to evolve with new technologies so that the systems remain protected. Gone are those days where built-in firewalls gave complete protection to your systems.Find what is required for CISSP certification.
So if you are a professional with a few years of experience in the security domain, then you might need to rethink your skills. As mentioned above, cybersecurity skills also need to be upgraded with the latest technologies. For these, there are some certifications such as, Certified Information System Security Professional Certification (CISSP), which help you upgrade your cybersecurity knowledge and skill base. Read the rest of the article below to know what is required for CISSP certification.
Table of Contents
What is CISSP?
CISSP stands for Certified Information System Security, offered by ISC2(International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium). The CISSP is an international standard that is ISO/IEC 17024 and ANSI ISO/IEC 17024:2003. The CISSP has also got approval from the US Department of Defense in both the Information Assurance Managerial(IAM) and Information Assurance Managerial(IAT). Also regarded as a baseline for the U.S national security agency ISSEP program.
CISSP Certification is for those professionals who prove their skills and capabilities in the field of cybersecurity. These professionals are then responsible for defining the design, architecture, controls and management of secured business environments.
Cracking the CISSP exam is quite challenging. It conducts a six-hour exam comprising 250 questions. The domains that CISSP focusses on for the certification are listed below:
- Access control systems and technology
- Systems and application security development
- Cryptography
- Disaster recovery and business continuity plans
- Investigation laws and ethics
- Security models and architectures
- Physical security
- Best management practices
- Networking and telecommunications security
- Operations Security
If you qualify for the certification successfully then, the job profiles in which you can pursue your career are Security Architect, Network Architect, Security Consultant, Security Analyst, Security Auditor, Security Manager, Security Systems Engineer, Director of Security, IT manager/ Director, Chief Information Security Manager.
Eligibility and Experience required for CISSP certification
The eligibility criteria for the professionals is that firstly they should have a four-year bachelor’s degree or an equivalent education background as per the ISC 2 criteria. After the educational background comes to the second important criteria i.e. work experience. So the five years of full-time work experience in the relevant field, as prescribed by ISC 2 CISSP CBK (Common Body of Knowledge) Guidelines. If the candidate does not have the required experience, then they don’t satisfy the criteria for CISSP. Rather, they satisfy the criteria for the associate-level of CISSP. That is also a good option for entry-level candidates.
Ways to get Certified for CISSP
- Go through the Exam format
The exam format is one of the important things to understand as it outlines your preparation. The exam mode is a Computer Adaptive Test(CAT) comprising 150 questions. The duration is three hours. While the Linear examination format is different. It comprises 250 questions and the duration is six hours. For both the exam modes, the passing grade is 700 out of 1000 points.
- Check the eligibility criteria
As mentioned above, make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria for the certification.
- Take the training
After getting to know the initial requirements, it’s time to enroll yourself in a training course. So before enrolling in the course, please ensure that it meets all the requirements of the certification.
- Create your own Pearson VUE account
Pearson VUE is the administrative end for the CISSP. It acts as the facilitator for conducting the online exam. So for that, you need to create an account using the Pearson VUE handle. This enables the registration process for the exam.
- Register for Exam
After starting up a course, it is time for you to register for the exam. Submit your legal documents regarding your work experience. Make the payment for the registration fees and also it will be necessary for you to meet the criteria required for the ISC 2 code of ethics.
- Take the Exam
After all the preparation so far, it is time for you to go ahead and give the exam. So during the exam, make sure that you read all the questions carefully and answer the questions well. Also, skip those questions if you are not confident about the answer. The key to giving the correct answer is careful preparation.
- Get yourself endorsed
So once you qualify for your exam, you will receive the notification that you have successfully cleared the exam. After that, you need to get yourself endorsed. The endorsement process attests to your professional experience and the exam, for fitting you in the cybersecurity industry in the world.
- Become an ISC 2 member
The final step is to become a member of the ISC community of certified professionals. It will help you network with other professionals and establish opportunities and maintain long term relationships. This will also help you to keep your skills sharp, informed of the latest trends and practices.
Conclusion
Since CISSP covers a wide range of topics of cybersecurity, it is important for the candidate to be well aware of all the domains. So it is clear that qualifying for CISSP is quite challenging and requires the best efforts. Most importantly, it is very important for the candidate to prepare well for the exam. According to Payscale, the average salary of the CISSP certified professional in India is ₹1,562,923. A professional with some of the years of cybersecurity experience must not miss this wonderful opportunity. It is a global accreditation. So, enroll yourself in a course, because it will prepare you for the exam by making you experience the latest tools and technologies. These courses can be learned from the comfort of your home and also you do not have to spend too much time.
