The CISSP certification is widely regarded as an IT and information security credential. Credentialing as a top cybersecurity expert with this certificate demonstrates that you have a broad range of experience and expertise.
The CISSP-CAT Exam Process:
There were 250 questions on a paper and ink bubble test for the first CISSP certification exam. Candidates had six hours to complete this CISSP Exam Test. A computer-based testing (CBT) option for the updated CISSP exam was made available by Pearson VUE test centers in 2015. Although there were no changes to the total number of questions or the allotted time, these parameters remained the same. As of 2018, the (ISC)² uses the CISSP-CAT exam delivery mechanism. Computer Adaptive Test is known by the abbreviation CAT.
Many languages are available for taking the CISSP exam. The CISSP-CAT exam delivery method is only available in English for the CISSP exam. It is still in use today for languages other than English, with a six-hour version containing 250 linear questions.
In a CISSP-CAT exam, students have three hours to look at at least 100 questions and no more than 150 questions. Only 75 of the first 100 questions they answer are graded and count toward your final score. The 25 not graded questions are spread out among the 100 graded questions. These questions help in evaluating future test questions.
Only the last 75 questions, out of 100, go into your score. Once you answer question 101, question 1 is thrown away, and question 101 takes its place. When you answer to question 102, the same thing happens with questions 2 and 102, and so on. As more and more questions are taken out of the exam, they no longer affect whether you pass or fail. They are replaced by questions from the same domain that you’ve already answered. So, the exam can keep track of how much each part is covered.
Instead of trying to get enough points to pass, the ICS2 looks at how well you can show what you know about something called the passing standard. (ISC)² doesn’t say clearly what level of skill is needed to meet this passing standard. Experts and certified professionals give it a score somewhere around 70% in each area.
In a test, your chances of passing depend on your performance on the 100th question. To pass the CISSP exam, you must get at least a passing score of 95% on the test. The test is marked FAIL if the system predicts that you have a 95% chance of failing it. Once it gets to question 100, the system keeps figuring out whether a student will pass or fail until question 150.
CISSP Exam Length Change for 2022
The CISSP exam will feature 50 pretests (unscored) questions as part of the new Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) format, which will go into effect on June 1, 2022, and raise the minimum and a maximum number of questions candidates must answer throughout the exam from 100-150 to 125-175. As a result of the addition of these new subjects, the maximum test administration time will be increased from three to four hours.
Although these additional 25 pretest questions may be utilized as operational (scored) items in future examinations, applicants should thoroughly analyze each item and choose the best possible solution. The answers that candidates give to pretest questions do not influence whether or not they pass or fail the final exam.
Number 25 is the current number of CISSP CAT pre-examination questions. To keep the CISSP safer and more trustworthy, (ISC)2 is now able to continue expanding our item bank.
No further changes have been made to the CISSP exam material. This year’s CISSP exam has not altered the test outline’s weightings or domains. After June 1, 2022, CISSP exams will incorporate these changes.
Changes to domain weights
CISSP has eight distinct domains, each with an identical name. Two domains’ weights were tinkered with slightly, as seen in the table below:
| Domain number | Domain | Weight in 2018 | Weight in 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Security and Risk Management | 15% | 15% |
| 2 | Asset Security | 10% | 10% |
| 3 | Security Architecture and Engineering | 13% | 13% |
| 4 | Communications and Network Security | 14% | 13% (down 1%) |
| 5 | Identity and Access Management (IAM) | 13% | 13% |
| 6 | Security Assessment and Testing | 12% | 12% |
| 7 | Security Operations | 13% | 13% |
| 8 | Software Development Security | 10% | 11% (up 1%) |
The CISSP certification’s learning objectives are as follows:
As a CISSP candidate, you can look forward to the following advantages:
- All of the knowledge and abilities required to earn a CISSP certification.
- An organization’s entire information security infrastructure is examined from a holistic perspective.
- This ability is the defining characteristic of IT security architecture, management, and design.
- Examinees for the (ISC)² CISSP CBK are expected to thoroughly understand all domains covered in the exam.
- Expertise in the optimization of security operations.
- The ability to improve governance and IT security within a company using various methods.
An overview of the CISSP exam
The CISSP or Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification requires you to answer 150 multiple-choice questions in 180 minutes or three hours. You must pay the $749 exam fee before sitting for the exam. Seven hundred points out of a possible 1000 are the passing mark.
If you’re not fluent in any of the world’s major languages, you can take the CISSP exam in Simplified Chinese. Other language exam versions have slightly different exam times and question counts than English ones.
Gaining a CISSP Certification Comes with the Following Advantages:
1. Maximize your earnings:
A CISSP certification holder in the United States can expect to earn $131,030 per year. Those who have worked in the industry for at least four years are considered experts.
2. Cybersecurity experts are in high demand:
Cybersecurity experts are in short supply around the world, according to (ISC)2’s Cybersecurity Workforce Report. Because of this, now is the best time to take significant steps to improve your IT security career path.
3. Peer and team esteem: a third factor
CISSP certification is one of the most prestigious certifications in the industry. As a result, it’s highly sought after as a professional credential. Having this certification will earn you the respect and admiration of your coworkers and bosses.
4. Improved knowledge of cybersecurity:
The CISSP program covers all of the cybersecurity fundamentals, allowing students to gain a comprehensive understanding of the field. The school’s curriculum is frequently updated to keep pace with technological advancements.
5. Authentication of hands-on cybersecurity experience:
To pass the CISSP exam, a candidate must show that they have actual, paid experience in cybersecurity. You must complete a 120-credit professional program every three years to maintain your certification.
6. A global community of people
More than 140,000 certified professionals are part of the (ISC)2 global network. As a member of this elite group, you’ll be recognized as an expert in your field.
These conditions must meet before you take the CISSP exam:
- There are a few prerequisites to the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) certification program and certification. Considering my current status as a high school student,
- CISSP certification requires five years of experience in at least two of the eight (ISC)² domains listed in The CBK (the Common Body of Knowledge) (standard body of knowledge).
To apply, you must have a bachelor’s degree or an (ISC)² approved certification and four years of experience in a professional capacity.
Skills and weightings on the CISSP exam
The CISSP certification exam measures the following skills:
- 10% of the asset security
- 15% of risk and security management
- 14% of Network and Communications Cybersecurity
- 13% of Engineering and Security Architecture
- 13% of operational security
- 13% of IAM (Identity and Access Management)
- 12% of Security Assessment and Testing
- 10% of the software development security
Courses offered for the CISSP certification include:
- CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) course with a dedicated instructor.
- Free course previews help you get started on your preparations.
- CISSP mentors can be found all over the world.
- Prepare for the CISSP exam by following widely accepted study guides written by industry experts.
- From (ISC)² , you can access the most relevant and essential (ISC)² resources.
- The industry award you certification if you complete the course.
- Fly Me a Trainer, and 1-on-1 Training are two of the more advanced options.
- Learn from the comfort of your own home or at one of more than a hundred locations worldwide.
- Additionally, This certification is highly sought after in today’s highly competitive IT market for the following reasons.
To prepare CISSP Exam, consider these CISSP courses:
The CISSP certification is helpful for a wide range of IT professionals by taking the best CISSP Training Courses. Roles like the following are covered:
- Security consultant
- Network architect
- Security architect
- Security manager
- Security auditor
- Director of security
- CIO
- Security systems engineer
- Security analyst
- Anybody looking to advance their knowledge base and technical skillset.
Your first step toward achieving the most prestigious cybersecurity accreditation is if you’ve worked on or used any of these services or want to learn more. Today is the day to sign up for a CISSP certification course.
