Cybersecurity is a vital component of business. As technology advances, so too do the skills of those who would disrupt your organization. Fortunately, there are cybersecurity professionals capable of handling the threats.
Cyberattacks can happen anytime, anywhere. They can affect both small businesses and large corporations, hence the need for cybersecurity professionals. These specialists are the brilliant minds behind a safe and unswerving organization. So, do you have what it takes to be a sought-after security professional? If you’re still in the process of becoming one, then an effective way is to get certified by a globally-renowned certification provider, (ISC)².
Why is (ISC)² so popular?
As one of the world’s top ExamSnap, the company sees the need to equip individuals with the right skills to perform their everyday tasks. And (ISC)² does this by providing quality certifications as well as various educational programs and training courses. The company has over 140,000 certified professionals who continuously shape and secure the security domain. And the (ISC)²’s most in-demand certification for many years now is no other than CISSP or Certified Information Systems Security Professional.
With (ISC)² outstanding certification program, there’s no such thing as wasted effort when you decide to pursue one of their valuable credentials. Thousands of certified individuals have utilized CISSP as a way to fast-track their security career. So, if you want to become CISSP certified, you’ll gain more information through this article.
Now, are you ready to become a security expert?
There’s no denying that the IT industry is faced with a growing number of cyberattacks year by year. So, you need to arm yourself with a noteworthy information security certification to help keep businesses and organizations
secured. However, it takes careful planning and preparation to become a cybersecurity expert. Now, here’s a step-by-step guide you can follow to get your very own CISSP credential easily.
Can Everyone take CISSP test?
Because of its complexity, CISSP is designed for specific individuals only. This credential can be earned by highly experienced security managers, security analysts, chief information security officers, IT directors, security systems engineers, network architects, and other professionals that are well familiar with vital security principles and practices.
But even if you occupy one of the listed job positions, you should first ensure that the CISSP certification is right for you. There is a list of (ISC)² security-related credentials which could be more aligned with your current job responsibilities:
- Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
- Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
- Certified Authorization Professional (CAP)
- Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)
- HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner (HCISPP)
You can choose from the above-mentioned accredited security credentials that can give you a profound foundation of the cybersecurity field.
But let’s return to our CISSP. To be eligible for this certification, you must have at least five years of paid and cumulative work background in two or more of the eight domains of the (ISC)² CBK (Common Body of Knowledge).
So, you have earned the required work experience. What’s next?
If you already possess the experience in the required (ISC)² CBK domains, then you’re off to the next challenge – prepare for the exam. But it isn’t as easy as you may think. Preparing for this test is quite a challenging task as CISSP exam covers eight equally complex security domains. These are as follows:
- Security & risk management
- Security architecture & engineering
- Asset security
- Identity & access management
- Security operations
- Communication & network security
- Security assessment & testing
- Software development security
All eight domains should be mastered so that you’ll smoothly and successfully answer all the exam questions. There are two types of CISSP test: CISSP CAT (Computer Adaptive Test) for English-speaking test takers and CISSP Linear for all other languages. The differences between the two types include:
- CISSP CAT test lasts 3 hours and has 100-150 questions
- CISSP Linear test lasts 6 hours and has 250 questions
Both test versions have a passing score of 700 out of the possible 1000 and can be scheduled through the Pearson VUE website. The cost of the exam is $678.03.
And one more thing: if you don’t have the required experience mentioned above, you can still pass CISSP exam and become an Associate of (ISC)². This will allow you to gain the required 5 years of experience in the following six years.
How to efficiently and effectively prepare for the exam.
If you fail to prepare for the exam, then you also prepare yourself to fail the exam, it’s very simple. That is why you should keep in mind the importance of planning. You can start with the Official CISSP training course that will load you with comprehensive knowledge of the exam topics.
This training course develops and strengthens your skills in reliably designing, constructing, and managing the entire security of the organization. Led by a certified (ISC)² instructor, the course makes learning more interactive through flashcards, collaboration with colleagues, post-course assessments, practical learning sessions, and more. You can also opt for self-paced or private on-site training.
To further keep your skills in tiptop condition, read the official textbooks such as Official (ISC)² Guide to the CISSP CBK, 5th Edition, Official (ISC)² CISSP Study Guide, and CISSP For Dummies. These physical materials will never fail you as these are the most recent books designed particularly for CISSP candidates. (ISC)² also provides Official practice tests, which may serve as your guide.
To supplement your exam preparation, be sure to check out the ExamSnap website and see their impressive exam tools that will help you prepare for your CISSP. This amazing platform has gathered all the materials you need, from practice tests to training courses and even study guides. So, if you want to ensure proper coverage of the topics, you shouldn’t miss this platform.
Now, it’s time to schedule your CISSP exam!
After a few weeks of studying, you can now schedule your exam. Register by creating an account on the Pearson VUE website. Then, you will be given all the information you need about the exam, including testing location, accommodation, and policies.
Conclusion
Completion of the exam and acquisition of the CISSP certification proves your abilities in the cybersecurity domain. Now, you don’t just gain a top-rated certification, but you also become part of a globally-acclaimed organization. Get your CISSP to become a member of (ISC)² community, and employers will be hunting for you and not the other way around.
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