How to Accelerate Your Cybersecurity Career with CISSP Certification
Stepping into a career in cybersecurity can be a challenge as every job seems to require years of experience, an advanced degree, or certifications. One of the best ways to accelerate your cybersecurity career is with CISSP certification. This highly respected, rigorous certification helps prove to potential employers that you have the knowledge and experience necessary to meet their security needs.
If you are interested in getting a CISSP certification, there is a lot of information to consider. We are here to help! In this article, we will cover everything you need to know, including what a CISSP is, relevant career opportunities, and how to get your certification.
What is a CISSP?
CISSP is an acronym that stands for Certified Information System Security Professional. The certification is extended by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, or (ISC)². The (ISC)² is a leading, internationally recognized cybersecurity professional organization that offers several certification programs, including the CISSP.
To become a CISSP, you need to pass a thorough exam consisting of 250 multiple-choice questions. The full certification also requires five years of relevant experience. Experience is considered relevant when it falls into any of the eight CISSP domains:
- Security and Risk Management
- Asset Security
- Security Architecture and Engineering
- Communication and Network Security
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Security Assessment and Testing
- Security Operations
- Software Development Security
Individuals who do not have relevant job experience can still get started with CISSP certification. Professionals who pass the exam but do not yet have the full five years of experience are considered associates.
Once you achieve the five years of experience, you obtain membership with the (ISC)² in addition to your full CISSP status. To maintain your certification, you will need to make a yearly payment and complete continuing professional education hours.
CISSP Job Demand & Salary Information
With your CISSP in hand, you qualify for many well-paying, impressive jobs in the cybersecurity career path. Generally considered mid to advanced-level, the roles CISSPs can take on may have different names but usually involve similar duties. Some common CISSP positions include:
- Chief information security officer
- Cyber security consultant
- Security analyst
- Cybersecurity manager
- IT security engineer
- Information systems security officer or chief information security officer
- Security risk analyst
- Information security analyst
- Security architect
These professionals often lead teams of cybersecurity experts or work within a team to meet their organization’s security needs. From forensic jobs like tracking a hacker’s steps to eliminate risks to pinpointing and mitigating weak points in software, CISSP experts perform a range of tasks. Other specialties include administration and management of security systems, setting policies, and ensuring the company is compliant with security policies.
Going beyond cybersecurity, CISSPs also learn to protect a broad range of information, including intellectual property, confidential client or patient information, or sensitive financial data. This means professionals with this certification may develop and manage authentication and authorization software or protocols, among other tasks.
CISSP and the Job Market
In general, computer-related careers have a positive growth trend in the job market. However, jobs specific to CISSP, such as Information Security Analysts, have even better outlooks, with a growth rate of up to 33%. This is because more and more organizations and companies are using their own cloud services. Additionally, keeping digital client, customer, and patient information secure is only growing in importance. As there is more information to access and exploit, hackers take advantage of it. Naturally, the result is a growing demand for CISSP-certified professionals.
Cybersecurity Career Salaries
Obtaining CISSP status can propel your salary forward. Professionals who work in this field can earn up to $159,000 per year or more. Information security analysts earn a median wage of $102,600 but can earn as much as $165,920. Considering the national average salary is about $58,260, CISSP salaries are impressively high.
How to Get Your CISSP Certification for a Career in Cybersecurity
Obtaining your CISSP will require some work and preparation. With the right support, you can pass your exam and get the relevant experience you need. Many training programs are available that can streamline the process and bring your CISSP dreams to reality. There are several options, depending on where you are in your career path.
It is important to note that before you get your CISSP, you should have some relevant experience in the IT industry. For example, you may have an SSCP certification or already have a job in the field. Or perhaps you completed a computer science degree.
If you are already in an advanced IT role and want to further your knowledge and qualifications, consider a boot camp-style certification. Our course, powered by Infosec, can prepare you for the CISSP in just six days of live training. With the support of a live instructor, you can get immediate feedback and support as you work through the content. With course elements covering all eight areas included in the CISSP exam, you can move forward to get certified with confidence.
Otherwise, you may prefer a long-term, self-paced study environment. Including over 150 study hours over six months, our CISSP course is perfect for individuals looking for a robust course. Either course is the perfect way to move forward on your cybersecurity career map into a more advanced position or to simply further your knowledge and abilities.
Start Working Toward Your CISSP Today!
Obtaining your CISSP will make you one of the few professionals who can boast they have this competitive qualification. Are you ready to get started? Enroll today!
If you have questions, please get in touch with our enrollment specialists, who will be happy to help you.
