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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.

Who Should Get 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.

Benefits of 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.

Increase Your Earning Potential

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.

Become a More Competitive Job Candidate

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.

Build Cybersecurity Expertise

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.

• These workers have a deeper knowledge of critical cybersecurity topics.
• Certified workers increase confidence in their teams’ ability to handle security challenges.
• Hiring professionals with cybersecurity certifications ensures current knowledge and practice of information security trends.
• Certification allows organizations to hire high-level workers with demonstrated expertise in cybersecurity.

Network with Other CISSPs

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

What is the Current Demand for Cybersecurity Professionals?

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.

The Demand for CISSPs

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

How to Earn 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.

Pass the Certification Exam

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.

Get Endorsed

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.

Maintain Certification

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About CISSP Certification

We’ve narrowed down the broad range of existing computer networking certifications into more specific categories, within which we’ve highlighted some of the best specific certifications on the market. 

Best Computer Networking Certifications

Computer networking certifications continue to be a gold standard for showing overall knowledge of the networking environment. While networks and their operations have changed drastically over the years — especially with the shift to flexible work and the increasing adoption of cloud technologies — understanding computers is still critical to any more advanced IT role. Networking certifications also open up more advanced areas of study, including cybersecurity roles, network architecture and more advanced system administrator roles. 

Obtaining these certifications demonstrates a willingness to learn as well as mastery of networking essentials. Some of the more advanced certificates are also specifically focused, which can help applicants demonstrate more advanced knowledge of specific technology suites, such as Cisco. Any of these certifications though will help demonstrate knowledge in the computer networking space and make a strong case for job candidates who hold them.

Some of the best computer networking certifications include: 

Best VoIP and Telephony Certifications

Voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) and telephony certifications demonstrate an applicant’s knowledge of designing, implementing and maintaining these communication systems. As corporate voice and telephony services have transformed from traditional public-switched telephone networks and private branch exchanges (PBXs) to VoIP and IP PBXs, VoIP and telephony certifications now focus on digital communications, along with a good mix of IP networking protocols and methods to support such traffic and to maintain service quality. Additionally, VoIP and telephony systems are often combined with digital fax, videoconferencing, instant messaging and mobile communications. 

Obtaining a VoIP and telephony certification demonstrates capability in telecommunications technology. Vendor-specific certifications also exist, which can lead to further career growth and employee specialization. Certificate holders can also apply for more specialized roles in this field and may be more likely to receive promotions or competitive offers from potential employers. 

Some of the most valuable VoIP and telephony certifications include: 

Best Unified Communications Certifications

Unified communications (UC) streamlines communications so that geographically dispersed employees can interact digitally as if they’re in the same office, even if they’re located thousands of miles apart. Centralized administration also makes UC popular with IT managers because it reduces the time and effort needed to support and secure corporate communications of all kinds. Because of a need for specialized skills to make large-scale UC implementations run their best, top UC vendors offer certifications to buttress and boost workforce capability and quality.

UC certifications are in high demand. Job search boards list thousands of open positions for UC certification holders in aggregate. Obtaining a UC certification demonstrates hands-on capability, as well as a strong understanding of the technologies running under the UC hood. 

Some of the best UC certifications, along with related cloud certifications, include: 

Best Red Hat Certifications

Red Hat Inc. provides open-source software solutions to a wide range of clients, including a majority of Fortune 500 companies. While the company is perhaps best known for its Red Hat Enterprise Linux distribution, Red Hat also produces a full technology stack including  JBoss middleware, cross-platform virtualization and cloud computing (CloudForms and OpenStack) solutions. Red Hat offers a wide range of certifications covering its diverse product lines and possible employee roles. 

These certifications prepare professionals for roles that require knowledge of the Red Hat environment. Many of these certifications also provide transferable knowledge of Linux and networking components, opening the doors for candidates to additional further growth opportunities. 

Some of the best certifications include: 

Best Information and Cybersecurity Certifications

As cybercrime becomes more prevalent, cybersecurity certifications are more important than ever. Several great cybersecurity certifications help to fill in the cybersecurity knowledge gap while also educating about computer networking concepts — a major bedrock of cybersecurity overall.

Earning a beginner cybersecurity certificate can help launch a cybersecurity career, as well as fill in knowledge gaps applicable to system administrators, network engineers or other similar roles. There are thousands of job listings mentioning these certifications. Some of our favorites include: 

Cybersecurity skills are in high demand. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), there are almost 700,000 open cybersecurity roles in the United States with continued labor shortages in this area.

Best Storage Certifications

Skills and certifications related to networked forms of storage, such as storage area networks, network-attached storage, virtualized storage and storage as a service, are in high demand. Like the rest of the tech industry, a variety of vendor-specific and general knowledge certifications exist in this area. 

A search across the job boards reveals hundreds of positions mentioning various storage certifications. A few of the standouts can help applicants stand out in this field while also nurturing either generalized or specific skills. Some of our favorite certifications in this space include: 

Best Digital Forensics Certifications

There’s been a steady demand for digital forensics certifications for the past several years, as computer crime rates continue to escalate. These certifications demonstrate a knowledge of how to perform aspects of digital forensics, including data recovery, evidence preservation and digital artifact preservation. 

These certifications can help individuals find employment with law enforcement or government roles, which may require specific certifications as evidence of meeting minimum standards. Many of these certifications are mentioned hundreds of thousands of times across job listings for specific, open roles. Some of the best digital forensics certifications include: 

Best Wireless Networking Certifications

The majority of networks most people interact with on a daily basis — either professionally or personally —  are wireless. These certifications cover various aspects of wireless networking, from understanding the underlying technologies to covering design and security aspects of network implementation.

As wireless networking continues to expand and evolve, especially with the addition of 5G networks and blended cellular data networks, certifications can help candidates stand out from the rest of the job application pack. Some of our favorite wireless networking certifications cover a wide range of subject areas to help prepare employees for the future of networking. These certifications include: 

Best Big Data Certifications

Today’s organizations are looking for better ways to pull the information they need from massive volumes of data available to them. Big data system administrators store, manage and transfer large sets of data, making them amenable to analysis.

Along with the surge in big data interest comes a growing number of certifications to recognize the necessary skills in working with enormous data sets. The target audience is IT professionals with a background in analytics, data mining, business intelligence or data management, along with a knack for and interest in mathematics and statistics.

Some of our favorite big data certifications include: 

The adoption of big data is relatively new, only emerging in 2005 with the emergence of large quantities of data being collected through platforms, such as YouTube and Facebook. Since then, data has exploded in value.

Best International Association of Privacy Professionals Certifications

Founded in 2000, the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) is more than just a certification body. It is a full-fledged not-for-profit membership association with a focus on information privacy concerns and topics. Its membership includes both individuals and organizations, in the tens of thousands for the former and the hundreds for the latter, including many Fortune 500 outfits.

The IAPP has developed a globally recognized certification program around information privacy. All these certifications comply with the ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 standard, which means they have been developed to meet stringent requirements for analyzing the subject matter and the fields of work to which they apply.

The IAPP’s certifications include: 

Privacy standards have become increasingly important as various regulatory bodies have put in place privacy-focused regulations, such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, the United Kingdom’s Data Protection and Digital Information Bill and the California Consumer Privacy Act.

Best SANS GIAC Certifications

The SANS Institute was founded in 1989 to provide IT security and administration information, thought leadership and vendor-neutral training for individuals and businesses. SANS presents in-class courses, training events and technical conferences worldwide. It also offers self-paced online training (SANS OnDemand) and interactive virtual training (SANS Live Online).

SANS courses are known to be expensive. However, these certifications are frequently held in extremely high regard and feature some of the best training available from industry experts. SANS offers training across the entire technology spectrum, covering cyber defense, cyber offense, cloud, open source intelligence, security architecture and more. 

Picking the best SANS GIAC certifications is difficult, as the course catalog is so broad and uniformly well done. However, some well-regarded standouts from SANS include: 

Best Data Center Certifications

Data center certifications are intended for professionals who either work or aspire to work in or manage data centers. These certifications cover a large area, including data center security, efficiency, management and design. 

Earning a data center certification showcases a holder’s knowledge and ability to take on data center-related tasks. Like other certifications, data center certifications come in both generalized knowledge and vendor-specific flavors, providing utility to a wide range of learners. 

Some of the best data center certifications include: 

The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® certification is a globally recognized, entry-level credential accepted across many industries. This professional designation is ideal for students, recent graduates and professionals seeking to gain project management experience or manage larger projects.

The CAPM certification can be a crucial stepping stone toward a career in project management and toward earning the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification. If you’re considering earning the CAPM credential, this article overviews its purpose and benefits, along with key considerations for prospective candidates.

What Is CAPM Certification?

The CAPM certification is a credential administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI)® to prepare candidates for entry-level project management positions.

This beginner-level certificate is ideal for project team members, project managers and other professionals who want to learn and implement the fundamental principles of project management. This designation validates your project management skills and your knowledge of processes, frameworks, methodologies and best practices.

CAPM Requirements

To apply for the CAPM certification and take the exam, candidates must meet the following prerequisites.

• Have a secondary degree such as a high school diploma, an associate degree or the global equivalent.
• Complete 23 hours of project management education by the time you sit for the exam.

The CAPM Certification Exam

The CAPM exam comprises 150 questions, which test-takers have three hours to complete. The exam includes Topics covered in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)®. However, test-takers should focus their studies on PMI’s CAPM exam content outline. This outline comprises four sections, each of which is included in the CAPM exam. The sections are:

• Agile frameworks and methodologies
• Business analysis frameworks
• Predictive plan-based methodologies
• Project management core concepts and fundamentals

Benefits of CAPM Certification

The CAPM certification is a popular designation that helps companies and organizations find well-suited candidates with certifiable knowledge and experience in project management. Below are some of the benefits that come with earning the CAPM certification.

Validates Credibility, Skills and Knowledge

The CAPM certification evaluates candidates against rigorous guidelines, requiring professionals to meet specific competency measures regarding project management skills, processes and best practices. This assessment process demands a strong understanding of best practices, principles, industry-standard ethics and professional conduct.

This designation signals to potential employers that you can fulfill their organization’s specific roles and requirements.

Develop Leadership Skills

In addition to expanding their project management knowledge, CAPM candidates develop leadership skills through the certification process. Entry-level practitioners can learn to manage teams effectively in various work environments. The certification process also teaches project management and leadership fundamentals, which typically include the following.

• Human resource management
• Project and organization lifecycle
• Project integration management
• Project management processes
• Project scope management
• Quality management
• Stakeholder and communications management
• Time, cost and risk management

Helps Your Résumé Stand Out

Earning the CAPM credential demonstrates certifiable competency in the fundamentals of project management. This certification can deliver you a competitive edge over other entry-level job applicants. Becoming CAPM-certified also indicates a commitment to advancing your skills and knowledge in the field.

Career Development and Advancement

Earning the CAPM certification can help you qualify for various project management roles. Here are some common jobs that CAPM-certified professionals can pursue.

• Assistant project manager
• Program manager
• Project analyst
• Project coordinator
• Project manager
• Technical project manager

Moreover, CAPM certification fulfills the project management education/training requirement for PMP certification. If you’re debating between the CAPM vs. PMP credentials, we recommend starting with the CAPM.

Higher Earning Potential

Payscale reports that the average CAPM certification salary is around $72,000 per year.

What to Consider Before Earning CAPM Certification

The CAPM certification is one way for entry-level project management professionals to develop their skills and knowledge, position themselves as valuable assets to potential employers and expand opportunities for career advancement.

Still, you should take a few considerations into account before pursuing the CAPM certification. Two such considerations are time commitment and CAPM certification cost.

Can You Invest the Time Required?

Candidates typically spend one to three months studying for the CAPM exam. Successful test-takers usually use a combination of courses, study groups and self-study to prepare.

PMI recommends that CAPM candidates review the CAPM handbook, quiz themselves using PMI-provided sample questions, complete a formal study course through one of PMI’s authorized training partners and review the exam content outline.

To fulfill the education requirement, you can sign up for PMI’s course on project management basics. This course meets the CAPM-required 23 educational hours.

Can You Afford It?

The CAPM certification exam costs $225 for PMI members and $300 for nonmembers. These prices do not include the costs of CAPM training or exam preparation courses. Training course prices vary depending on the program and organization. Generally, the cost of CAPM bootcamps, training courses and classes ranges between $200 and $500.

CAPM candidates may find helpful information in the seventh-edition PMBOK, which PMI members receive with their memberships. Nonmembers must purchase this guide if they want to use it to prepare for the exam. The cost of the PMBOK guide can vary depending on the retailer.

Does Your Company or Future Career Value or Require It?

Certification requirements vary depending on your employer, company and organization. If you aspire to work in a specific role or with a particular organization, consider researching the job requirements to see if they include CAPM certification.

Project management skills are in high demand across many industries and organizations. Earning a globally recognized certification can make you more marketable and increase your job opportunities.

Will Your CAPM Certification Pay Off?

Is PMI certification worth it? We think so, and starting with the CAPM credential is a great first step.

There’s a rising global demand for project managers across many industries. Project management ranked as one of the fastest-growing fields in the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs report. To keep up with demand, a 2021 report from PMI projects that 2.3 million professionals need to enter the project management field every year until 2030, indicating a steady market that could create strong job security.

Moreover, even early-career project management professionals earn relatively high salaries, according to the results of a salary survey by PMI. In the U.S., project managers with less than three years of experience earn a median annual salary of $80,000.

Earning your CAPM certification can be a vital stepping stone in your career. CAPM certification can help with career advancement and increase your earning potential.

Frequently Asked Questions About CAPM Certification