Why Should You Obtain the CISSP Certification?

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is globally acknowledged as a mark of excellence for cybersecurity professionals. It signals to employers that you possess both a comprehensive knowledge of cybersecurity and practical experience in the field, making it the most sought-after certification in U.S. job postings.

In this article, we’ll cover how to get certified, the benefits of this certification, and costs associated with it, and the qualifications needed to pursue it, helping you plan the best approach and timing for earning your certification.

What is CISSP Certification?

The CISSP certification, developed and awarded by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2), validates a professional's expertise and proficiency across a broad spectrum of information security domains.

Who Should Pursue the CISSP Certification?

To earn your CISSP certification, you must have a minimum of five years of cumulative, full-time work experience in at least two of the eight CISSP domains. However, you can reduce this requirement by up to one year if you hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Alternatively, you can also waive one year of required experience by earning a certification from ISC2’s list of approved credentials. Some examples include:

• CompTIA Security+

• CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)

• AWS Certified Security – Specialty

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

You can find the full list of qualifying credentials on ISC2’s official website.

Jobs that typically use or require CISSP certification: 

• Chief Information Officer

• Chief Information Security Officer 

• Chief Technology Officer

• Compliance Manager/Officer

• Director of Security

• Information Architect

• Information Manager/Information

• Risk Manager or Consultant

• IT Specialist/Director/Manager

• Network/System Administrator

• Security Administrator

• Security Architect/Security Analyst

• Security Consultant

• Security Manager

• Security Systems Engineer/Security

• Engineer

Here are answers to a few common questions about CISSP requirements:

Can a beginner earn the CISSP certification?

The CISSP is not intended for beginners with no cybersecurity experience. It’s best suited for professionals looking to advance into higher-level or managerial roles. You must meet the experience requirements mentioned above to be awarded the full certification.

Can you take the CISSP exam without meeting the experience requirement? 

Yes, you can still take the exam. If you pass but don’t yet have the required experience, ISC2 will designate you as an Associate of ISC2. You then have up to six years to gain the necessary five years of work experience to earn full CISSP certification.

Benefits of Obtaining CISSP Certification

Many professionals pursue the CISSP certification to stand out in a competitive cybersecurity job market. As a result, CISSP holders often benefit from:

Career opportunities and advancement:

Many employers require CISSP certification for senior or leadership roles. It continues to be the most in-demand cybersecurity certification in U.S. job postings.

Higher earning potential: 

Certified professionals often command higher salaries, as employers are more confident in offering competitive compensation to those with proven credentials. (For more details, see our CISSP salary guide.)

Stronger professional growth:

Earning the CISSP demonstrates a serious commitment to cybersecurity, helping professionals build credibility and advance more easily in their careers.

The CISSP has consistently ranked among the most sought-after certifications, and its relevance remains strong. For employers, hiring CISSP-certified professionals means bringing on team members with verified expertise and real-world experience to help safeguard critical systems and data.

How to Get Certified with CISSP?

Like any other certification, to become CISSP certified, you need to pass the exam. Candidates are required to have at least five years of cumulative, full-time work experience in two or more of the eight domains outlined in the current CISSP Exam Outline. Up to one year of this requirement can be waived if the candidate holds a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. Alternatively, holding a certification from ISC2’s list of approved credentials can also count toward one year of the experience requirement. In some cases, part-time work and internships may be considered as qualifying experience as well.

Exam Details

Format: Computer Adaptive Test (CAT)

Questions: 100–150 multiple choice

Duration: 3 hours

Passing score: 700 out of 1000

Once certified, you must:

• Earn 120 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits every three years

• Pay an Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF) of $135

With the right preparation, study plan, and resources, you can put yourself in a strong position to pass the exam and earn this valuable credential.

What is tested in the CISSP Exam?

The CISSP exam tests your knowledge and skills across eight key domains of information security, as defined by the ISC2 CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). These domains cover a wide range of technical and managerial topics relevant to cybersecurity leadership roles. Here are the eight domains:

• Domain 1: Security and Risk Management 

1.1   Understand, adhere to, and promote professional ethics

1.2   Understand and apply security concepts

1.3   Evaluate and apply security governance principles

1.4   Understand legal, regulatory, and compliance issues that pertain to information security in a holistic context

1.5   Understand requirements for investigation types (i.e., administrative, criminal, civil, regulatory, industry standards)

1.6   Develop, document, and implement security policy, standards, procedures, and guidelines

1.7   Identify, analyze, assess, prioritize, and implement Business Continuity (BC) requirements

1.8   Contribute to and enforce personnel security policies and procedures

1.9   Understand and apply risk management concepts

1.10  Understand and apply threat modeling concepts and methodologies

1.11   Apply supply chain risk management (SCRM) concepts

1.12   Establish and maintain a security awareness, education, and training program

• Domain 2: Asset Security 

2.1   Identify and classify information and assets

2.2   Establish information and asset handling requirements

2.3   Provision information and assets securely

2.4   Manage data lifecycle

2.5   Ensure appropriate asset retention (e.g., End of Life (EOL), End of Support)

2.6   Determine data security controls and compliance requirements

• Domain 3: Security Architecture and Engineering 

3.1 Research, implement and manage engineering processes using secure design principles

3.2 Understand the fundamental concepts of security models (e.g., Biba, Star Model, Bell-LaPadula)

3.3 Select controls based upon systems security requirements

3.4 Understand security capabilities of Information Systems (IS) (e.g., memory protection, Trusted Platform Module (TPM), encryption/decryption)

3.5 Assess and mitigate the vulnerabilities of security architectures, designs, and solution elements

3.6 Select and determine cryptographic solutions

3.7 Understand methods of cryptanalytic attacks

3.8 Apply security principles to site and facility design

3.9 Design site and facility security controls

3.10 Manage the information system lifecycle

• Domain 4: Communication and Network Security 

4.1 Apply secure design principles in network architectures

4.2 Secure network components

4.3 Implement secure communication channels according to design

• Domain 5: Identity and Access Management 

5.1 Control physical and logical access to assets

5.2 Design identification and authentication strategy (e.g., people, devices, and services)

5.3 Federated identity with a third-party service

5.4 Implement and manage authorization mechanisms

5.5 Manage the identity and access provisioning lifecycle

5.6 Implement authentication systems

• Domain 6: Security Assessment and Testing 

6.1 Design and validate assessment, test, and audit strategies

6.2 Conduct security control testing

6.3 Collect security process data (e.g., technical and administrative)

6.4 Analyze test output and generate report

6.5 Conduct or facilitate security audits

• Domain 7: Security Operations 

7.1 Understand and comply with investigations

7.2 Conduct logging and monitoring activities

7.3 Perform configuration management (CM) (e.g., provisioning, baselining, automation)

7.4 Apply foundational security operations concepts

7.5 Apply resource protection

7.6 Conduct incident management

7.7 Operate and maintain detection and preventative measures

7.8 Implement and support patch and vulnerability management

7.9 Understand and participate in change management processes

7.10 Implement recovery strategies

7.11 Implement disaster recovery (DR) processes

7.12 Test disaster recovery plans (DRP)

7.13 Participate in Business Continuity (BC) planning and exercises

7.14 Implement and manage physical security

7.15 Address personnel safety and security concerns

• Domain 8: Software Development Security

8.1 Understand and integrate security in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

8.2 Identify and apply security controls in software development ecosystems

8.3 Assess the effectiveness of software security

8.4 Assess security impact of acquired software

8.5 Define and apply secure coding guidelines and standards

How to Prepare for the CISSP Exam?

To maximize your chances of passing the CISSP exam, it’s essential to make the most of available study materials and resources, including:

• Official ISC2 resources: Materials like the CISSP Official Study Guide and practice tests from ISC2 provide a comprehensive overview of the exam’s eight domains, along with examples of the types of questions you’ll encounter.

• Third-party training courses: Programs from trusted providers offer in-depth, structured instruction designed specifically to help candidates succeed on the exam.

• Online communities: Forums like Reddit’s CISSP board and TechExams’ CISSP section are great places to learn from others’ experiences, get study tips, and ask questions in real time.

• Practice exams: Along with free sample questions from ISC2, full-length practice exams—either purchased online or included in some prep courses—can help simulate the test-day experience and identify areas for improvement.

While everyone’s study approach will be slightly different, here are some widely recommended best practices:

• Create a structured study plan: Set a consistent schedule and ensure you cover all eight domains. Revisit difficult topics periodically to reinforce your understanding.

• Use multiple study tools: Combining practice exams, official guides, and instructor-led courses can give you a more well-rounded grasp of the material than relying on a single method.

• Incorporate timed practice tests: Regularly taking full-length practice exams can help you build stamina and assess how well you manage your time under pressure.

• Target your weak areas: Pay close attention to any domains where you score lower on practice tests, even if you initially felt confident. Use that feedback to focus your efforts and close any knowledge gaps.

The CISSP has consistently ranked among the most in-demand certifications for years, and its relevance continues to grow. Hiring CISSP-certified professionals gives organizations confidence that new team members possess both verified expertise and practical experience to effectively protect data and secure systems.