CISSP Certification: Is it Worth the Cost?

One of the best investments for anyone looking into information security is getting the CISSP certification. The CISSP, awarded by ISC squared (pronounced ‘I-S-C squared’), is one of the most prominent certifications in cybersecurity. But is the certification truly worth the time, effort, and money put into it?

Let’s delve deeper into this.

What Is CISSP Certification?

The CISSP certification is unrivaled in benchmarks for cybersecurity. It is issued by the ISC square which stands for International Information System Security Certification Consortium. This certifies that a professional has extensive experience in the design, implementation and management of a cybersecurity program. CISSP has gained worldwide credibility and is issued in 1994 which is now a prerequisite for mid-level to senior roles in information security.

If you have a CISSP, you demonstrate that you understand and have practical experience in numerous subject areas including: risk management, software development security, network security, asset security, etc.

With CISSP certification, it’s easy for employers to see that a candidate has a strong understanding of cybersecurity and an ability to oversee the protection of sensitive information systems.

Why Do Professionals Choose the CISSP Certification?

Cybersecurity is always changing, and continuously becoming more important. Organizations have to manage the growing threat of data breaches, ransomware attacks, and compliance regulations. This search for skilled professionals leads almost invariably to CISSP certification.

Here are some reasons why IT professionals obtain CISSP:

CISSP is a widely accepted credential and industry benchmark: There are an increasing number of job advertisements with “CISSP preferred” or even “CISSP required” in the description.

Earning potential increases with CISSP: Syndicated studies show that CISSP-certified professionals are earning significantly more than their counterparts who do not hold the certification.

Advancement is more readily available: CISSP certification is recognized by a lot of employers, thus enhancing the job market for non-certified professionals.

Better performance with CISSP certification: CISSP exam features eight security domains that have to be mastered to pass, ensuring an extensive understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals.

The Expenses Incurred for CISSP Certification

Like all things, there is a figure attached to CISSP certification. CISSP exam has in itself a price, costing $749, and does not at all cover additional materials needed for study, courses, and the amount of time set aside for preparation. Most of the candidates spend between three to six months preparing for the exam based on their experience and study habits.

The supplemental costs of earning maintenance of the certification also come with an additional annual maintenance fee (AMF) of $125, along with earning Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits. There are costs and not all of them are manageable, which however does not make them impossible. This is the fee many choose to pay to avail the incredible opportunities it has to offer.

Is CISSP Certification Worth It For A Beginner?

The answer to this is not straightforward. CISSP does not fall under beginner level certifications and with reason; there is no way to become fully certified without logging in at least five years of full-time work in two or more out of the eight listed domains of (ISC)² Common Body of Knowledge (CBK).

That being said, there is no necessity to wait till experience is amassed to appear for the exam.

Candidates have the option to attempt the exam and those who pass become Associate of (ISC)². From here, they will have six years to complete the experience and skill set to convert their Associate role into full membership and enjoy the benefits that string along.

If you’re starting off in the cybersecurity domain, it might be beneficial for you to begin with a foundational certification like CompTIA Security+ and then move on to CISSP.

How Does It Compare To Other Certifications?

CISSP has many rivals in the world of cybersecurity certifications. How does it stand against the rest?

Compared to CompTIA Security+: In comparison to CISSP, Security+ provides a basic understanding of security concepts. Once you pass the Security+ exam, you are employed in an entry-level position, but in order to attain a Security+ certification, passing the CISSP certification exam is a requirement.

Compared to CISM (Certified Information Security Manager): CISM-aligned job roles prioritize an organization's risk management and governance framework. These already set boundaries and assess business-critical services in detail. In contrast, CISSP takes a relatively wider look at syllabus encompassing technical and managerial aspects.

Compared to CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker): Being an Ethical Hacker renders CEH certification much more policy-restrictive when compared to CISSP, principally focused on governance and interdisciplinary dimensions of information security.

While every certification serves its purpose, all of them are equally beneficial. What makes CISSP interesting is its equal distribution of technical expertise and administrative managerial strategy.

Advantages of CISSP Certification at the Middle Career Level

IT and cybersecurity professionals looking to grow in their careers will greatly benefit from obtaining the CISSP certification. With mid-career standards, CISSP tends to boost job opportunities for the following titles:

• Security Manager

• Security Architect

• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

• IT Director

• Risk Manager

  
  

As expected, these job positions come with additional compensation, increased responsibilities, as well as a larger scope of impact within an organization. Alongside multiple other industry salary reports, CISSP certified professionals are, on average, 25% more than their non-certified peers.

CISSP Certification Challenges

As is the case with anything worth achieving, it comes with its challenges. This potentially life-changing CISSP exam is known to be extremely challenging and tedious, requiring professional-level comprehension of the following eight security 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

  
  

Candidates have to formulate extremely organized curricula and study schedules, often leveraging official (ISC)² and other third party materials, courses, practice tests, and exam preparation groups.

The good news is that such rigorous preparation improves the chances of passing the exam, but more importantly the preparation sharpens one's skills, as well as enhances one's perspectives on enterprise security.

Concluding Thoughts: Is the CISSP Certification Worth It?

So what, you may be asking yourself - the CISSP certification - what is the CISSP certification worth? Most cybersecurity professionals would say that it is worth every penny and every minute spent working towards obtaining a CISSP certification.

Even though the investment of time, finances, and opportunity cost are high, the credibility, career growth, and earnings obtained from it further solidifies that the CISSP certification makes sense financially for cybersecurity professionals. If you want to learn more about the field of cybersecurity, step into leadership positions with better pay, or skillfully command a broader range in cybersecurity, the CISSP certification will help shape your career.

As threats in the cyber world keep emerging every day, having the CISSP certification boosts your reputation in the industry and proves your proficiency in the skill, especially when in hot demand. If furthering your career in cybersecurity is your ultimate goal, investing in acquiring a CISSP certification might just turn out to be the most strategic decision of your professional life.