Ultimate Guide to Become a Systems Security Professional with CISSP certification

What is the CISSP Certification?

CISSP or a Certified Systems Security Professional is a professional certification made for IT professionals by the International Information System Security Consortium (ISC2). This exam was introduced to test and certify security specialists on their ability to design, develop, implement, and manage cyber security programs in corporate environments. Aspiring cyber security pros can earn a CISSP to make an invaluable addition to their resumes.

This CISSP certification training by RPS Consulting is ideal for professionals in the IT security domain. They comprise Security Analysts, CIOs, IT Security Managers, and Security Consultants. Generally, CISSPs have 4 to 5 years of on-the-job experience in the IT Security domain. They also know how to address security threats holistically. As a result, they can identify and manage advanced cyber security threats, security controls and reduce cyber-attack risks.

All about the CISSP Examination

The CISSP currently consists of eight parts:

• Asset Security
• Communication & Network Security
• Security Architecture & Engineering
• Security and Risk Management
• Security Operations
• Identity and Access Management
• Software Development Security
• Security Assessment & Testing

The CISSP examination takes place in two formats:

CISSP CAT Exam

This is a Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) Multiple Choice Questions type exam in English. It has 50 to 100 questions that you need to solve in a 3-hour duration. The pass marks are 700 out of 1000.

CISSP Linear Exam

This is also a Multiple Choice Questions type exam in 7 specified non-English languages. It has 250 questions that you need to solve in a 6-hour duration. The pass marks are 700 out of 1000.

Eligibility Criteria for CISSP Training

• Minimum 5 years of work experience in 2 or more of the 8 domains listed in the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). If a participant has a 4-year degree or equivalent from the ISC2 approved list, it will compensate for 1 year of the required 5 years of experience.
• Candidates without the required experience can opt to become an ISC2 Associate by clearing the CISSP examination. Thereafter, the Associate has to gain 6 years of experience to become a CISSP Certified Professional.

Career Prospects with a CISSP Certification

There are many IT career paths one can pursue after earning this certification.

The CISSP is ideal for managers, executives, and experienced security practitioners. They can utilize their knowledge across a wide array of security practices and principles applied in the organization. Here are some lucrative career prospects for CISSP professionals.

• Security Analyst
• Security Consultant
• Security Systems Engineer
• Security Auditor
• Security Manager
• Security Architect
• Director of Security
• IT Director/Manager
• Chief Information Officer (CIO)
• Chief Information Security Officer(CISO)

How to become a CISSP Professional?

• Gather all information about the CISSP exam from reliable sources. You can check the ISC2 website online for all the examination details, the pattern of the exam, and the course structure.
• Check the relevant eligibility criteria as suggested in the CISSP CBK. For example, a participant should have five years of experience in any 2 of the 8 domains specified by the ISC2.
• Enrol for CISSP trainingfrom an ISC2 accredited training This training can be both live online training and instructor-led classroom training.
• Get trained with other Security Professionals from various industry domains during a CISSP course.
• Start preparations for the CISSP Exam after completing your CISSP training from an ISC2 Accredited Training Partner. Create and register your Pearson Vue account
• Upload your professional experience as per the requirement along with the ISC2 Code of Ethics (COE). You will get your certification for the CISSP exam only if you have subscribed to the ISC2 COE.
• Make payment for the certification exam fee for CISSP and give the exam.
• You will immediately receive your certification as a soft copy once you clear your CISSP exam. The certification hard copy will be delivered to your registered address.
• The CISSP exam score is valid for 3 years. Post that, you will have to get recertified every 3 years. You can do this by earning CPEs or continuing professional education credits by paying the annual ISC2 membership fee.

 Benefits of a CISSP

• CISSP credentials are widely acclaimed worldwide and recognized by major corporate giants
• It is the most desirable certification by professionals in the information security domain across 160 countries.
• CISSP certified professionals have a higher salary potential than their non-certified counterparts.
• This Certification enhances the credibility and marketability of IT security professionals.
• CISSP professionals get several benefits, such as free webinars, discounted and free event access, discounted ISC2 education, and their professional magazine.

Conclusion

Information security has been recognized as one of the most stable and high-paying professions in the IT sector today. Recent trends such as IoT, big data, cloud computing, and social media engagement are rapidly expanding the IT domain. Most enterprises are adopting these technologies quickly, making a CISSP certification necessary to handle such crucial infosec roles.