Levels of CISSP Certification:

There are four levels of CISSP certification. These levels are Professional Certified Security Analyst, Associate Certified Security Analyst, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and the highest level Master Certified Information Systems Security Professional (MCISSP). The professional level requires passing six exams to achieve, while associate requires six exams to achieve. The Associate-level exam is an objective test that candidates can take online or skype, while professional exam candidates only have access to one option. The CISSP exam tests for knowledge of concepts such as network security, software security, cryptography, physical security, and general security principles. CISSP Dumps will help in prep by providing practice exams. Candidates must pass a rigorous 8-hour long exam and demonstrate proficiency in at least 10 out of 12 knowledge areas.

Candidates take the test at their own expense and will be unable to view their results until the end of the testing period. In order to be considered for a certification or renewal, at least two years must have lapsed since the previous exam date. CISSP certification holders must recertify every three years through continuing education in order to maintain certification. To receive continuing education credit, candidates must maintain a current membership within one of the following organizations: AICPA, CISSP CertVerify, ISACA, ISSA, ISC2 Security Forum, ISSA-Minnesota Chapter/IT Audit & Control Association (ITACA), NACHA-The Electronic Payments Association.

To recertify at the Professional level of certification one must earn 60 CEUs. To recertify at the Associate level of certification one must earn 40 CEUs. Candidates are able to earn up to four continuing education units for each exam. Candidates can earn up to 16 continuing education units through their participation in the IT Security Resources Community of Interest (CIOI).

Reference: https://www.isc2.org/cissp/default.aspx

Study Guides to Prepare for Actual Exam

To help you confidently schedule your CISSP test, many self-study materials are available online. Some top-rated Amazon books you may refer to while studying for your CISSP exam are listed below:

• Think Like A Manager for the CISSP by Luke Ahmed

  This book will try to address how to think as if you’re a member of a senior management team member who wants to know how to balance risk, cybercrimes, and most importantly, the alignment of security functions using twenty-five CISSP practice questions with thorough explanations. These questions will demonstrate how to avoid cyber attacks from a professional viewpoint and will make you ace the official test in one go.

• 8th Edition of the CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide by Shon Harris & Fernando Maymi

  The CISSP All-in-One guide contains learning goals, exam tips, practice questions, and in-depth explanations at the beginning of each chapter. The main goals of the CISSP learning outcomes are concisely addressed by the primary concepts highlighted here.

• 2nd Edition of the (ISC)2 CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Guide by Mike Chapple & others

  This material is one of the bestselling guides for the (ISC)2 CISSP certification. The book covers all the exam objectives and contains tips for passing the CISSP exam. The authors clearly elaborate on the topics of security, risk management, and security architecture. Further, the book reflects the knowledge on determining security compliance requirements on legal and regulatory applications.

• The Effective CISSP: Security and Risk Management by Wentz Wu

  This book is perfect for IT specialists interested in information security or confused by catchphrases and terms around cybersecurity. It is a complement to the CISSP study guides that have been used as their primary source by CISSP candidates. In particular, it incorporates key CISSP Security and Risk Management principles. This allows CISSP applicants to construct a conceptual security model or blueprint so that they can continue to read other content, learn comfortably with less disappointment, and complete the CISSP exam accurately.

• 3rd Edition of the Eleventh Hour CISSP: Study Guide by Eric Conrad, Seth Misenar, and Joshua Feldman

  This book is simplified to contain all core certificate data and is presented for last-minute study convenience. This fully up-to-date self-study model, written by leading experts in information security certification and training, helps you pass the real exam with ease and also serves as an invaluable guide.

What are MCISSP credential?

The Master level requires two exams to achieve. The MCISSP credential is defined as conforming to the requirements of NCEES, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC). The test will not earn a CISSP valid certification.

Conclusion

The CISSP certification is formal recognition that you are well aware of the market and certain evidence that you are a professional in the security industry. Remember that the CISSP is about lifelong learning, therefore passing the related exam is just the beginning. You have to be recertified every three years and get continuous professional education to retain your CISSP certification. You can attend activities such as webinars, write white papers, and more to receive the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits you need to retain your CISSP validation. Perhaps more important, these events allow you to continuously develop your awareness of the information security industry and keep up to date with news and trends.