What Is CISSP Certification? Qualifications, Benefits And Salary

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

IT security professionals looking to advance their careers or dive deeper into the realm of cybersecurity should consider the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification. Organizations across industries need to protect their data and proprietary information from cyberattacks, making CISSP-certified professionals a valuable asset to any company.

CISSP certification signals to employers that you know how to best protect web-based information systems and command a strong IT security team. Read on to learn all you need to know about earning CISSP certification.

As an early-career IT security professional, you may be tempted to jump into the CISSP certification process soon after completing an undergraduate degree or spending just a few years working entry-level cybersecurity jobs. However, you’ll have to meet certain benchmarks before qualifying to become a CISSP.

(ISC)², which administers CISSP certification, requires candidates to 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 approved credential.

(ISC)² also created the Body of Knowledge (CBK), which holds nearly all the information a seasoned cybersecurity professional should know. The CBK lists eight primary domains, including asset security and software development security. To become a CISSP, your past work experience must be within one or more of these eight domains.

Earning CISSP certification is not an easy process. From passing the exam to paying annual fees, this certification requires an investment of time, energy and money. On the other hand, CISSP certification is among the most common cybersecurity credentials required by employers.

Whether you plan to become a chief information officer or an independent security consultant, knowing your “why” can help you stay the course as you work toward earning CISSP certification.

A CISSP certification is among the gold standards for IT and cybersecurity professionals. This credential can lead to higher salaries, a competitive advantage in the job market and knowledge of the latest industry advancements.

Salaries for CISSP-certified professionals vary by job title and location. On average, these workers earn around $128,000 per year in North America, according to Payscale.

CISSP-certified professionals are some of the most well-paid IT professionals in the industry. This is because employers understand the rigorous process required to become a CISSP, and the credential is recognized on a global scale.

Adding CISSP certification to your cybersecurity resume signifies to recruiters and employers that you are among the top candidates in the information security industry. This credential also guarantees that you have at least four or five years of hands-on experience.

Some professionals plan to earn certification to pursue roles outside of their current organizations. (ISC)²’s 2023 workforce study indicates that 17% of respondents pursue credentials for a position with another company, while 15% considered certification to qualify for promotions.

Part of the CISSP certification process is becoming intimately familiar with all relevant information in the world of cybersecurity, both to pass the exam and to maintain certification.

After earning their certification, CISSPs must accumulate a set number of continuing education credits. Continuing education helps build expertise and ensure that CISSPs have current, relevant skills.

Participants in (ISC)²’s workforce study reported that their teams recognize the following benefits of employing cybersecurity professionals with certifications like the CISSP.

All CISSPs must become (ISC)² members, granting access to networking opportunities. More than 168,000 cybersecurity professionals are members of (ISC)².

Between 2021 and 2022, cyberattacks and data breaches increased by 41.5%. This spike in cyberattacks among companies of all types highlights both the need for expert cybersecurity professionals and the gap in supply.

Despite the field’s increasing popularity, the (ISC)²’s workforce study found that 67% of cybersecurity professionals say a shortage of cybersecurity professionals is putting their organizations at risk. (ISC)² estimated a global cybersecurity workforce gap of 3.9 million in 2023.

One potential reason for this workforce gap is that most cybersecurity job requirements include certifications such as the CISSP. Earning certification involves considerable time and effort, making it tougher to close this workforce gap. Meanwhile, technological advances used by malicious parties continue to outpace the rate at which IT and cybersecurity professionals enter the field and develop the expertise necessary to secure data against these attacks.

CISSP professionals are in high demand across industries due to their advanced knowledge and ability to defend against data breaches and improve security measures.

According to CyberSeek, CISSP certifications see the most demand among all current cybersecurity job openings requiring certification. As of December 2023, more than 85,000 cybersecurity job listings request CISSP certification.

To earn CISSP certification, you must first meet requirements for work experience, education and professional credentials. Candidates may have five years of relevant work experience or four years if they also hold a related undergraduate degree or an (ISC)²-approved credential.

If you do not meet these requirements but are still interested in taking the CISSP exam, you can work toward becoming an Associate of (ISC)². Associates have passed the exam but cannot become fully certified until they have fulfilled the work experience requirements.

Each candidate has four hours to complete the CISSP certification exam, which comprises 125 to 175 questions. You can find ample preparation resources, including practice exams and study materials, on (ISC)²’s website.

When the time comes, you can register online to take the exam, though the exam itself will take place in person at a Pearson VUE testing center. Note that the exam fee is $749.

To pass, you must score at least 700/1,000 or higher. If you do not pass the CISSP exam the first time, you’re in good company—many test-takers attempt the exam multiple times. You can retake the CISSP exam 30 days after your first try and up to four times within a 12-month period.

After passing the CISSP exam, you must obtain an endorsement from a current certification-holder before becoming certified yourself.

This endorsement validates that you have completed the necessary work experience to earn CISSP certification. You have nine months to find an endorsement after passing the exam. In the event you are unable to find someone, (ISC)² may act as your endorser.

Like many professional accrediting bodies, (ISC)² requires its members to stay up to date on the latest trends and research in cybersecurity. You must earn at least 120 continuing professional education (CPE) credits every three years to maintain CISSP certification. Many members earn their CPEs by attending courses or conferences, volunteering or teaching.

A CISSP professional maintains an organization’s IT security systems, securing data against external threats. Responsibilities may also include running security audits, gathering data on security performance, managing teams of IT security professionals and creating security reports for stakeholders.

Yes, the CISSP credential is one of the most respected certifications in the cybersecurity field. Its rigor and high standards are well-known in the industry, and many organizations place a high value on recruiting CISSPs.

No, CISSP certification requires five years of professional experience in a cybersecurity-related role or a combination of work experience and education.

The Best Nutrition Certification Programs of 2023

Human Lactation Consultant Certification Curriculum

New students may begin the program in the fall or spring term. Didactic classes meet on the Drexel Center City Campus once per week from 6 to 9:50 p.m. Supervised practice is completed in Philadelphia metro area facilities, typically Monday through Friday; some evening and weekend hours are available for hospital-based supervised practice, but most hours must be completed during the daytime. Online learning and distances clinicals are possible. Please speak to the program director for more information.

A minimum grade of C is required for didactic classes. Clinical internship is Pass/Fail; students must complete a minimum of 300 hours and fulfill all of the required competencies to pass the course.

This course will provide a foundation in breastfeeding and human lactation, including breastfeeding education and promotion during the prenatal period, successful initiation of breastfeeding, prevention of many common pitfalls, and ongoing breastfeeding support. This course covers the 15 specific areas required by Baby Friendly USA for all nurses working in prenatal and perinatal areas in Baby-Friendly Hospitals.

The focus of this course will be to understand clinical aspects of the lactating parent including in-depth maternal exam and composition of human milk. Emphasis will be on first recognizing normal anatomy and physiology and then exploring presentations of the difficulties that lactating parent may encounter. The course will examine the effects of maternal characteristics as well as the effects of birth on breastfeeding outcomes. Strategies to improve breastfeeding success will be discussed.

The focus of this course will be to understand clinical aspects of the breastfeeding infant and the use of human milk, including in-depth infant and the changing composition of human milk as the infant’s needs change.  Emphasis will be on first recognizing normal anatomy and physiology and then exploring presentations of the difficulties that breastfeeding dyads encounter.  The course will examine the effects of infant anatomy and characteristics as well as the effects of birth on breastfeeding outcomes.  Strategies to improve breastfeeding success will be discussed.

This course will examine the barriers to optimal breastfeeding using a socioecologic framework. Participants will gain a better understanding of the different factors that influence breastfeeding behaviors. Strategies to more effectively protect, promote and support breastfeeding will be discussed.

Lactation Supervised Practice is designed to prepare competent, entry-level lactation consultants who will be eligible to sit the International Board Lactation Consultant Exam by completing Pathway 2. The course will provide appropriate experiences to practice the roles of lactation consultant under the supervision of a preceptor. Total required hours needed equal at least 300, which can be completed in 2 semesters but can be stretched out if needed.

Please click here to see the Human Lactation Consultant Certification Program page of the Drexel University Course Catalog.

Please see the How to Apply page for a list of prerequisite courses that must be completed before enrolling.