Certified Information Systems Security Professional

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Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an independent information security certification governed by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, also known as (ISC)².

As of June 1st 2015, there are 100,102 (ISC)² members holding the CISSP certification worldwide, in 160 countries.^[1] In June 2004, the CISSP obtained accreditation by ANSI ISO/IEC Standard 17024:2003 accreditation.^[2][3] It is also formally approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) in both their Information Assurance Technical (IAT) and Managerial (IAM) categories for their DoDD 8570 certification requirement.^[4] The CISSP has been adopted as a baseline for the U.S. National Security Agency's ISSEP program. CISSP is a globally recognized certification in the field of IT security.^[5]

History

In the mid-1980s a need arose for a standardized, vendor-neutral certification program that provided structure and demonstrated competence. In November 1988, the Special Interest Group for Computer Security (SIG-CS), a member of the Data Processing Management Association (DPMA), brought together several organizations interested in this goal. The International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium or "(ISC)²" formed in mid-1989 as a non-profit organization.^[6]

By 1990, the first working committee to establish a Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) had been formed. The first version of the CBK was finalized by 1992, and the CISSP credential was launched by 1994.^[7]

Certification subject matter

The CISSP curriculum covers subject matter in a variety of Information Security topics.^[8] The CISSP examination is based on what (ISC)² terms the Common Body of Knowledge (or CBK). According to (ISC)², "the CISSP CBK is a taxonomy – a collection of topics relevant to information security professionals around the world. The CISSP CBK establishes a common framework of information security terms and principles that allow information security professionals worldwide to discuss, debate and resolve matters pertaining to the profession with a common understanding."^[9]

From 2015, the CISSP curriculum is divided into eight domains:^[10]

• 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

Before 2015, it covered ten similar domains.

Requirements

• Possess a minimum of five years of direct full-time security work experience in two or more of the (ISC)² information security domains (CBK). One year may be waived for having either a four-year college degree, a master's degree in Information Security, or for possessing one of a number of other certifications.^[11] A candidate without the five years of experience may earn the Associate of (ISC)² designation by passing the required CISSP examination, valid for a maximum of six years. During those six years a candidate will need to obtain the required experience and submit the required endorsement form for certification as a CISSP. Upon completion of the professional experience requirements the certification will be converted to CISSP status.^[12]

• Attest to the truth of their assertions regarding professional experience and accept the CISSP Code of Ethics.^[13]

• Answer questions regarding criminal history and related background.^[14]

• Pass the multiple choice CISSP exam with a scaled score of 700 points or greater out of 1000 possible points. ^[14]

• Have their qualifications endorsed by another (ISC)² certification holder in good standing. ^[15]

Concentrations

Holders of CISSP certifications can earn additional certifications in areas of specialty. There are three possibilities:^[16]

1. Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (CISSP-ISSAP)

2. Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (CISSP-ISSEP)

3. Information Systems Security Management Professional (CISSP-ISSMP)

Ongoing certification

The CISSP credential is valid for three years. It can be renewed by re-taking the exam, but most holders renew by submitting Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits. To maintain the CISSP certification, a certificate holder is required to earn and submit a minimum of 40 CPEs each year and 120 CPEs by the end of their three-year certification cycle.

For those holding one or more concentrations, CPEs submitted for those concentrations count toward the CPEs required for the CISSP.^[17]

CPEs can be earned in several ways, including taking classes, attending conferences and seminars (online and in person), teaching others, undertaking volunteer work, and professional writing. Most activities earn 1 CPE for each hour of time spent, but preparing (but not delivering) training for others is weighted at 4 CPEs/hour, published articles are worth 10 CPEs, and published books 40 CPEs.^[17]

Value

In 2005, Certification Magazine surveyed 35,167 IT professionals in 170 countries on compensation and found that CISSPs led their list of certificates ranked by salary. A 2006 Certification Magazine salary survey also ranked the CISSP credential highly, and ranked CISSP concentration certifications as the top best-paid credentials in IT.^[18][19]

In 2008, another study came to the conclusion that IT professionals with CISSP (or other major security certifications) tend to have salaries $21,000 higher than IT professionals without such certificates.^[20] However, there's no proof that there's any cause-and-effect between the certificate and salaries.

ANSI certifies that CISSP meets the requirements of ANSI/ISO/IEC Standard 17024, a personnel certification accreditation program.^[2]

References

External links

• Official website