Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field, and with the increasing number of cyber threats, professionals in this field are in high demand. If youre a cybersecurity professional, you may be interested in earning a certification to boost your career prospects. The Certified Information Systems Security Professional CISSP certification course is one such qualification that is globally recognized and can help you achieve your professional development goals.
The CISSP certification course is awarded by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)² and is a testament to your expertise in cybersecurity. To earn the (ISC)² certifications, you must pass the exam and meet certain experience and education requirements. The exam covers a wide range of topics, including security and risk management, asset security, communication and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security.
The amount of time it takes to prepare for and earn the CISSP certification course can vary depending on your experience and knowledge in the field. ISC² recommends that candidates have a minimum of five years of experience in at least two of the eight domains covered by the exam. However, if you do not meet these requirements, you can still take the exam and become an Associate of (ISC)² until you gain the necessary experience.
Typically, candidates spend several months studying for the exam and may enroll in a CISSP training course to help them prepare. The exam itself takes six hours to complete and consists of 250 multiple-choice questions. After passing the exam, you must also agree to abide by the (ISC)² Code of Ethics and complete ongoing education requirements to maintain your certification.
Earning a CISSP certification course is an internationally recognized achievement in the field of cybersecurity. It demonstrates that the holder has the knowledge and experience required to design, integrate, and manage a diverse range of cybersecurity programs. Possessing this qualification also showcases their problem-solving skills and ability to identify practical solutions to common security threats. Individuals who may benefit from obtaining this certification include network architects, security analysts, security systems engineers, IT directors, and cybersecurity managers.
Apart from the standard CISSP course credential, there are three specialty versions of the certification that one can acquire. The first is the Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (CISSP-ISSAP), which focuses specifically on information security architecture. The second is the Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (CISSP-ISSEP), which delves into the engineering and systems development lifecycle aspects of information security. The third version, Information Systems Security Management Professional (CISSP-ISSMP), concentrates on the management elements of information security.
Earning the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) credential can significantly advance cybersecurity professionals’ careers. However becoming a CISSP requires meeting stringent certification requirements and passing a challenging exam. So how long does it take to get CISSP certified?
The total time investment depends on several factors
- Meeting the experience requirement
- Studying and preparing for the exam
- Completing endorsement and other administrative steps
This guide examines how long it takes to earn CISSP certification, from gaining work experience to passing the exam. It also provides tips to shorten your CISSP timeline.
Gaining the Required CISSP Work Experience
The most time-consuming CISSP requirement is accumulating at least five years of full-time professional cybersecurity experience. This hands-on work must fall within two or more of the eight CISSP domains:
- Security and risk management
- Asset security
- Security architecture and engineering
- Communication and network security
- Identity and access management
- Security assessment and testing
- Security operations
- Software development security
While this experience minimum creates a high bar, it ensures CISSPs possess the necessary expertise to take on advanced infosec roles.
On average, it takes cybersecurity professionals five years of full-time work to meet the CISSP experience requirement. However, you may reach this threshold faster by:
- Beginning your cybersecurity career immediately after earning your bachelor’s degree at around age 22. By 27, you could have the five years of experience.
- Supplementing your hands-on work with cybersecurity education. CISSP allows one year of experience for having a four-year college degree.
- Taking on progressive responsibilities and working in multiple CISSP domains. This diversity speeds expertise.
- Completing cybersecurity internships as a student. These count toward the five-year minimum.
Ultimately, most CISSP candidates should plan on five years of professional experience. Using education and well-rounded work can shave off about a year.
Studying and Preparing for the CISSP Exam
The CISSP exam covers advanced cybersecurity topics across the eight security domains. Thorough preparation is crucial for passing this rigorous, high-stakes test on the first try.
On average, CISSP exam prep takes three to six months for experienced cybersecurity professionals studying 10-15 hours per week. Those new to infosec may need up to a year. Key factors determining your prep timeline include:
- Your existing cybersecurity knowledge and skills
- The quality and intensity of your study plan
- Your ability to retain and apply information
Keep these tips in mind to make the most of your CISSP exam prep:
- Start early. Don’t wait until you have the full five years of experience. Begin light studying a year or two in advance.
- Study consistently. Cramming won’t work for a test as comprehensive as the CISSP exam. Schedule regular study sessions.
- Work with varied prep materials. Supplement textbooks and online courses with practice exams, flashcards and study groups.
- Focus on weak domains. Spend more time where you have less experience to balance your knowledge.
- Take practice tests. Simulate the real CISSP exam regularly to improve knowledge and time management.
- Try an advanced course. After reviewing fundamentals, take a technical prep course to boost expertise.
Preparation timelines also depend on whether you take an exam prep class. Self-study allows setting your own pace. An intensive bootcamp, costing $3,000 or more, typically takes one to two weeks. Less pricey online or in-person classes may run for a month or more.
Completing Endorsement and Administrative Steps
After passing the CISSP exam, you must complete a few administrative steps to officially become certified.
First, submit an endorsement application to ISC2 within nine months of passing the exam. An experienced CISSP in good standing must endorse you.
Next, send payment for your first year of certification. Renewals cost around $85-$130 per year after that to maintain your credential.
Finally, use ISC2’s CPE tracking tool to report qualifying continuing education activities for recertification every three years.
These final processes generally take under a month. Some steps happen concurrently. For example, you can start tracking CPEs before officially earning the CISSP.
How Long Does It Take to Get CISSP Certified?
Based on the factors above, the typical CISSP timeline is:
- 1-5 years to gain required work experience
- 3-12 months to study and prepare for the CISSP exam
- 1 month for administrative processes after passing the exam
Therefore, the total time to earn your CISSP ranges from 1.5 years up to 6 years or longer.
However, efficient prep strategies can help you achieve certification faster:
- Begin studying 1-2 years before completing experience requirements
- Create a consistent, thorough study plan
- Leverage varied prep materials and courses
- Focus on your weakest CISSP domains
- Take practice exams regularly
- Start CPE tracking early
Committing 15-20 hours per week to studying while working full time, you could feasibly pass the exam and complete certification in around two years.
The CISSP requires serious effort and dedication. But investing the necessary time to earn this gold-standard credential can prove extremely rewarding for your cybersecurity career.
What is the typical timeframe for obtaining a CISSP certification?
After accumulating five years of work experience, it typically takes three to eight months to obtain a qualification, although this timeline can vary considerably depending on the individuals preparation time for the exam. While the CISSP certification course necessitates a significant amount of studying, having prior knowledge of the subjects can decrease the amount of time needed to prepare for the test.
For instance, if you possess a high level of proficiency in most of the domains, you may only require one week to a month of preparation before taking the exam. Although the exam itself lasts approximately six hours, the amount of time it takes to earn the certification is determined by the time you devote to studying. You have the flexibility of scheduling the exam several months in advance, so it is critical to give yourself enough time to study in order to pass it on the first attempt.
The Ultimate CISSP Exam Strategy: Pass on Your First Try in 2024
What are the CISSP certification requirements?
CISSP certification requirements stipulate that each candidate must have a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience. ISC2 specifies eight security domains: Prospective CISSPs must accumulate experience in at least two of these domains to meet CISSP certification requirements.
How long does it take 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.
How many times a year can you take the CISSP exam?
At most, you can take the CISSP exam three times a year. The time that you have to wait between retakes increases each time you don’t get a passing score. After the first attempt, you can retake the exam after a month. A failed second attempt increases to a three-month wait period before being allowed to retest.
How do I get a CISSP certification?
Complete the exhaustive CISSP exam with at least a minimum score of 700 out of 1,000 points (Cost of the exam is $749, as of May 1, 202.) Choose your certification (CISSP in this case). Schedule the exam and agree to the code of ethics. Take the exam and pass. Maintain your status and work toward your CISSP certification.
