CISSP Certification Cost, Requirements, Exam and Duration

Previously we had compared two leading information security management certifications in our post titled CISM vs CISSP. We have also published a detailed post about CISM certification, and now we will look at CISSP certification in more detail, including CISSP certification cost.

Working as an information system security professional is a job that requires a person to have a sense of responsibility and credibility and be able to handle pressure in hard times. However, companies have little time to confirm an interviewee’s qualifications during the interview process.

Therefore, there are certification tests that show the credibility of a person’s qualifications related to a job role. By becoming certified with such a certificate, the company you are applying for the job will be able to judge your skills much more accurately. The same goes for Certified information systems security professional (CISSP) certification.

The certified person can take on the role of effectively designing, implementing, and managing the best-in-class cybersecurity program. You will unlock a wide array of exclusive resources, education tools, and peer-to-peer networking opportunities by becoming a CISSP-certified person.

Now that it’s clear let’s take a look at what a certified information systems security professional is, how long it takes to get the certificate, how much the certification costs, and how much you can earn.

What is Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification?

Once you are certified by CISSP certification, you will be able to handle the responsibility of the information system security manager. In other words, you can say that the CISSP is an information security certificate that focuses on a person’s ability to handle information system security by designing, implementing, and managing it.

The Certification was developed by International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)². It is one of the foremost requirements for personnel of information security. It is valid in more than 160 countries and is proof of your skills and expertise in Information security.

How do I become a Certified Information Systems Security Professional?

To become a certified information systems security professional, you must register at https://home.pearsonvue.com/isc2. After getting your registration done, you must take a CAT (Computer Adaptive Testing) exam available in 8 languages, including English, French, German, Brazilian Portuguese, Korean, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese. The exam is also available for visually impaired candidates in Visually impaired Testing Centres.

What are the requirements to become CISSP-certified?

Like every other certification, there are some required criteria that you must complete to take the CISSP certification exam. Let’s take a look at what are the criteria for taking the examination:

  • Candidates are required to have a minimum of five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the 8 domains of the CISSP CBK.
  • This means your total work experience must add up to at least 5 years, either full-time (must have worked a minimum of 35 hours/week for four weeks for accruing one month of work experience). If you are not meeting these criteria, then there is another option. You can also have part-time experience (should not be less than 20 hours a week and no more than 34 hours a week).

Domains of the CISSP CBK

There are seven domains of the common body of knowledge (CBK) that are tested in the CISSP exam:

1. Security and Risk Management

2. Software Development Security

3. Asset Security

4. Security Assessment and Testing

5. Identity and Access Management (IAM)

6. Security Operations

7. Communication and Network Security

8. Security Architecture and Engineering

Relevant Education or Certifications Held

Out of the total 5 years of experience required, either the 4-year educational degree or its regional equivalent degree can satisfy one year of experience.

However, paid as well as unpaid internships are also acceptable. But you will need it written on the company/organization letterhead, ensuring your position as an intern. The documentation can be the registrar’s stationery if you are an intern at a school.

Can you pass CISSP without experience?

We saw how experience is required to have the certification. However, if you meet the abovementioned criteria, you can still take the exam and get certified. However, candidates who don’t have the required experience may become an associate of ISC² by passing the CISSP exam. Then they, as associates, will have 6 years to get 5 years of work experience.

This means that they can first pass the exam and then earn experience while working in the industry, and after getting enough experience, they can get their certificate. So, it’s a more proactive way to get the certificate than the traditional way. This way, students and young professionals who want to achieve greatness but lack experience can still achieve their dreams.

Plus, the associate of ISC² can also apply for any other ISC² certificate without the required experience for the same.

What to do after completing the exam

After completing the exam, you must subscribe to the ISC² code of ethics (https://www.isc2.org/Ethics) and fill out the endorsement form. Another ISC² professional must sign your endorsement form to verify the authenticity of your work experience. The entire process must be completed within 9 months after the exam.

How long do the CISSP be valid?

Getting yourself certified by CISSP doesn’t mean that you are certified for life. Like most of the popular & worldwide recognized certifications, CISSP ensures that you are also up to date with the industry’s current standards.

This is why, once you have earned a certification of CISSP, your CISSP credentials are valid for up to three years.

Once your certification is expired, and you want to continue the certificate, you can choose to continue the certification by getting 120 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits because ISC² demands its certified members to hold a minimum of 120 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.

Professionals can have 3 years to maintain their credentials. Everyone has to earn at least 40 Continuing Professional Education credits every year. Plus, an annual maintenance fee of $85 is also required to be paid.

How much does the CISSP Certification cost

The CISSP certification cost, including the exams, is $749 for most countries. It has regional pricing, and details can be seen below:

Asia Pacific

Standard Registration – U.S. $749 for specialists and U.S. $599 if you would like to further specialize in one of the concentrations like Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (ISSAP), Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP) or Information Systems Security Management Professional (ISSMP).

Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)

Standard Registration – EUR 555 for specialists and EUR 665 for non-specialists

United Kingdom:

Standard Registration- GBP 479 for specialists and GBP 585 for non-specialists

Middle East:

Standard Registration- U.S. $599 for specialists and U.S. $749 for non-specialists

Africa:

Standard Registration- U.S. $599 for specialists and U.S. $699 for non-specialists

Americas and all other regions which are not listed above

Standard Registration-U.S. $599 for specialists and U.S. $749 for non-specialists.

Plus, if you are rescheduling your exam or canceling it, then the following fees are applicable:

  • CISSP Rescheduling Exam fee: U.S. $50/35£/40€
  • CISSP Cancelling Exam fee: U.S. $100/70£/80€

CISSP Certification costs are updated as on 12.02.2023

Source: https://www.isc2.org/Register-for-Exam/ISC2-Exam-Pricing

Can I pass the CISSP in 3 months?

Every exam needs to be prepared thoroughly, and CISSP is no exception in this case. According to those who have passed the exam, CISSP exam preparation takes approximately 2-3 months with 4-5 hours in a day, but only if done on time. This long will be sufficient for you to complete the physical material, including the CISSP study guides, practice test, etc.

However, you can also join some of the best available online courses to help you pass the exam by ensuring you are constantly studying, clearing your doubts, and providing you with up-to-date study materials.

Its syllabus includes

  •  Software Development Security
  •  Access Control
  •  Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning
  •  Security Architecture and Design
  •  Cryptography
  •  Security Operations
  •  Communications and Network Security
  •  Software Development Security.

How much does a CISSP course cost?

The cost of certified information system security professional (CISSP) training may differ from $200 to $350. You may choose an online self-paced course or an online boot camp. It all depends on the courses that you choose. But some places may go high, like the online self-paced course that costs $2,795 through ISC².

How much CISSP holders earn

According to a report by global knowledge in 2019 based on IT skills salary CISSP credential holders earn an average of $116,500, with numbers varying from $109,965 in North America to $76,878 in Asia pacific.

It is 20-25% more than their non-degree holder counterpart.

How hard is it to get a CISSP certification?

Well, no false words. The CISSP exam is a little hard to crack, with only a 20% passing rate. But just like any other exam, enough preparation will make it easier. So, there is no need to give up on hope.

Is the CISSP certification worth it?

Having earned a CISSP certificate, you earn up to 25% more in your salary than your counterpart who doesn’t have one. It shows that you are conscious about your job, want to, and are ready to learn new things.

It will surely help you upskill yourself and gain new opportunities in your current organization and the new ones too. It comes in 3rd ranking in the highest salary-paying IT certificate, so there is no need to describe its standing internationally.

But above all that, as a certificate, CISSP shows your knowledge of information security. It gives a business and technology adaptation to risk management. And it also provides access to valuable resources, such as idea exchange, peer networking, etc.

Conclusion

Not to scratch it long, I want to say that having a certification that can show your skillset and help you achieve the promotion or job you were looking for will not waste time. Getting yourself CISSP certification will help show your employers that you are disposable for the company and serious about getting your job done and your career. Now that you know all the details about CISSP, including CISSP Certification cost, if you are thinking about getting yourself certified, then for sure, go for it and study well.

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