What is CISSP Certification?

Projects involving information security require cyber-security experts. To become a cyber security expert, you must complete a structured process to earn the CISSP certification. CISSP specialists are in demand worldwide because they secure business information from cyber-attacks.

The process includes understanding the CISSP Body of Knowledge and passing a test.

The CISSP certification tests the applicant’s knowledge of cyber security. Professionals with experience in cyber security can attempt this test.

The CISSP certification demonstrates expertise, allowing you to further your career, and join the network of cyber-security leaders.

What is CISSP Certification?

CISSP stands for Certified Information Systems Security Professional and is a data security certification created and maintained by ISC (International Information System Security Certification Consortium), a Non-Profit Organization.

ISC developed this certification in early 1990 to create a standard certificate for information security professionals.

This is the first certification to satisfy American National Standard Institute (ANSI) ISO/IEC 17024 requirements and receive approval from the US Department of Defense (DoD) in the categories of International Assurance Technical (IAT) and International Assurance Managerial (IAM).

In the IT industry, security experts with CISSP security certification earn the highest salary, which is around 140,000 USD. This makes CISSP certification the most sought-after certification in the industry.

Professionals who want to advance their careers in cybersecurity should consider becoming CISSP certified. A CISSP-certified expert can work with cloud computing, risk management, mobile security, application development security, etc.

CISSP Certification Domains

CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) includes eight CISSP domains focusing on planning and maintaining a company’s security structure.

These domains include:

Security and Risk Management
Asset Security
Security Architecture and Engineering
Communications and Network Security
Identity and Access Management
Security Assessment and Testing
Security Operations
Software Development Security

#1. Security and Risk Management

About 15% of the CISSP test questions are from this domain. This is the primary CISSP domain and describes information system management concepts.

This domain covers:

Calculation of observance requirements
Compliance requirements
Creating a scope, proposal, and strategy for enterprise continuity requirements
IT policies and methods
Notions of threat modeling and methods
Risk-centered concepts
Security control principles

#2. Asset Security

This CISSP domain focuses on resource protection and makes up 10% of the questions in the CISSP test. Asset security covers Information Management and the concept of information ownership, as well as data management, owning and processing, privacy concerns, and usage limitations.

This domain includes:

Asset retention
Categorization and possession of data
Data security restrictions
Managing requirements
Safeguarding privacy

#3. Security Architecture and Engineering

This domain focuses on applying concepts to IS architecture design. It comprises around 13% of the CISSP test questions. It has a wide reach covering important data security topics and includes procedures, models, design guidelines, exposures, database protection, cryptosystems, and cloud computing systems.

This domain includes:

Ability to minimize flaws in security architects, plans, web-based applications, mobile apps, and established systems.
Cryptography
Essential concepts of security prototypes
Ideas for security skills of data systems

#4. Communications and Network Security

This domain focuses on establishing and maintaining network security. It comprises around 13% of the CISSP test questions.

It discusses the capacity to build dependable communication channels and network security. There are questions on diverse network design features, communication norms, separation, transmission, and wireless communications will be presented to applicants.

This domain includes:

Applying and safeguarding layout values in network design
Protecting communication channels
Protecting network parts

#5. Identity and Access Management

This CISSP domain sheds light on attacks that use the human factor to get access to data and strategies to identify people authorized to connect to systems and access data. It comprises around 13% of the CISSP test questions and discusses multifactor validation, credentials, and phase conceptualization.

This domain includes:

Approval mechanisms
Detection and validation
Integrating the supply of uniqueness and third-party identification services
Logical and physical access to data

#6. Security Assessment and Testing

This CISSP domain covers the tools and techniques used to assess the security of procedures and identify flaws, mistakes in code or layout, vulnerabilities, and potentially problematic areas that policies and systems cannot address. It comprises around 12% of the CISSP test.

This domain includes

Awareness training for clients
Business continuity plans
Disaster recovery
Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing

#7. Security Operations

This domain highlights initial ideas, inspections, incident management, and disaster recovery. It comprises around 13% of the CISSP test. Digital forensics, probes, intrusion prevention and exposure tools, firewalls, and sandboxing are all included in this broad and beneficial domain.

This domain includes:

Accumulating secure information
Business endurance
Enabling security inspections
Logging and examining events
Safeguarding the provision of assets

#8. Software Development Security

This CISSP domain focuses on how the security data system professional enforces security laws on software systems surrounded by an environment.

This domain includes:

Detecting weaknesses in source codes
Examining hazard evaluation

What Skills Does CISSP Certification Help Develop?

#1. Ethical Hacking

Ethical hacking shows the overall risk, vulnerabilities, and recommendations for improvement. This is done under the client’s direction. A reputable, ethical hacking curriculum is the Certified Ethical Hacker accreditation offered by EC-Council.

#2. Penetration Testing

Penetration Testing simulates a cyberattack to find weaknesses and develop plans to overcome security barriers. Early vulnerability discovery helps security teams close gaps, averting data breaches that might otherwise cost billions of dollars.

An expert-level Penetration Testing (pen-testing) certification is a Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT) developed by the EC-Council.

#3. Network Security

Network security covers numerous technologies, tools, and procedures. It describes a collection of guidelines and settings intended to safeguard the accuracy, privacy, and accessibility of computer networks and data.

The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is an advanced network security certification provided by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).

#4. Digital Forensics

A subfield of forensic science known as “digital forensic science” focuses on recovering and examining data from digital devices connected to cybercrime. It deals with the identification, preservation, analysis, and documentation of digital evidence when necessary to provide evidence in a court of law.

A Certification for Digital Forensics is the Certified Digital Forensics Examiner (CDFE).

SOC: A team of cybersecurity experts known as a Security Operations Center (SOC) is responsible for monitoring and assessing an organization’s security while responding to recent or potential breaches. Certifications for SOC are the SOC 1 and 2 Certification.

#5. Disaster Recovery

A team of cybersecurity experts is responsible for creating third-party cloud-based replication and hosting to enable complete environmental recovery in the case of a disaster. A certification for Disaster Recovery is the Disaster Recovery Certified Specialist (DRCS).

#6. Incident Response

Incident response is an organized method for dealing with different kinds of security events, online threats, and data breaches. The goal of incident response is to locate, stop, and reduce the expense of a cyberattack. An example of Incident Response certification is GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH).

#7. Threat Intelligence

Threat intelligence aids in risk mitigation and involves the study of data utilizing tools and processes to produce useful information about current or potential threats aimed at the company. A certification for Threat Intelligence is the Certified Threat Intelligence Analysis provided by EC-Council.

More skills that can be developed after the CISSP certification include:

DOS Attacks
Cloud Security
CCISO
Enterprise Architect
SQL Injection

Who Should Get the CISSP Certification?

As a young IT security expert, you may be tempted to get a CISSP certification immediately after earning a bachelor’s degree. However, there are various prerequisites to becoming a CISSP.

Candidates must have completed either five years of full-time employment or four years of employment plus an undergraduate degree (such as a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity) or another recognized credential to be eligible for the CISSP certification.

The CISSP certification is ideal for the following professionals:

Security Auditor
Security Analyst
Security Consultant
Chief Information Security Officer
Director of Security
Security Manager
Network Architect
IT Director/Manager
Security Systems Engineer
Chief Information Officer
Security Architect

How to Become CISSP Certified?

If you have the necessary expertise, study for the test and pass it. You must get at least 700 out of 1000 points to pass the test. After passing the exam, an endorsement is required from another ISC professional who can verify your professional experiences, such as employment duration, professional reputation, ongoing education as a security analyst, and subscription to the ISC Code of Ethics.

There is a yearly maintenance cost of 125 USD to keep the CISSP certification active.

CISP Certification Requirements

You must have at least five years of full-time work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge.

These domains are

Security and Risk Management
Asset Security
Security Engineering
Communications and Network Security
Identity and Access Management
Security Assessment and Testing
Security Operations
Software Development Security

If you hold a Graduate degree or above with eight semesters, work experience reduces to four years.

Benefits of CISSP Certification

Fills the Knowledge Gaps: You read a lot through a structured process. This aligns your knowledge and fills your knowledge gaps.
Global Recognition: CISSP certification is the gold standard in IT security. Employers will trust your skills and abilities, and you will be globally employable.
Higher Salary: As shown below, the salary of a CISSP certification holder is generally more than a non-certification holder.
More Career Opportunities: Many organizations made it mandatory to have CISSP certification to apply for IT security positions. If you hold this certification, you will get more interview calls than non-certification holders.
Learning Opportunities: To maintain this certification, you must keep yourself updated with the latest advancements in the IT security field through Continuing Professional Education (CPE). This ensures you are always ahead in the industry with the latest knowledge and skills.
Networking Opportunities: ISC has local chapters in many countries and cities and provides an online community on the website. You can join these communities and build your professional network to enhance your skills and find better job opportunities.

Salary of CISSP Certified Professionals

According to Global Knowledge’s 2019 IT Skills and Salary Report, North American IT workers with security certifications make 9% more money than those without certificates. The same is true for other regions, with security experts earning 6% more in Asia-Pacific, 8% more in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and 13% more in Latin America.

CISSP-certified experts earn $116,573, making it the third-highest certification salary for IT experts worldwide.

Conclusion

The CISSP certification has global recognition and provides its professionals with knowledge of the latest tools, techniques, and threats in IT security. Having this certification will make you more skilled, employable, and confident.

What is CISSP Certification?