Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is one of the most important certifications for cybersecurity professionals seeking senior and management positions. Is it worth your while to pursue, and if so, how do you achieve it? Learn what CISSP is, who it benefits, and what it takes to pass the exam requirements.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional is an advanced certification that validates the knowledge, skills, and ability of cybersecurity professionals to lead IT security programs. It is designed for experienced security practitioners, especially those seeking senior or management positions such as Chief Information Security Officer, Chief Information Officer, or Director of Security. It can also promote the career paths of cybersecurity engineers, architects, analysts, auditors, and consultants.
The CISSP is administered by Internet Systems Consortium 2 (ISC2), a nonprofit that participates in the development of Internet technical standards and trains and certifies cybersecurity professionals. The CISSP exam tests applicants in eight core domains of cybersecurity aligned with ISC2 standards, ranging from risk management and asset security to security operations and software development security. The exam areas are based on ongoing surveys of industry experts and are intended to represent a standard body of knowledge for security professionals. Exam domains and questions are kept current with the state of the industry through periodic survey input.
To earn the certification, in addition to passing the exam, applicants must have the equivalent of at least five years of experience in two or more of the domains the exam covers. Applicants lacking the requisite experience may still take the exam and become an Associate of ISC2, putting them on a path to full certification.
Certification also requires endorsement from an existing ISC2-certified professional and agreement to adhere to a code of ethics and privacy policy. Maintaining membership requires paying annual fees.
CISSP confers numerous valuable benefits on cybersecurity professionals:
CISSP certification can be particularly beneficial for security professionals pursuing careers as:
Additionally, CISSP can help with meeting requirements for specific positions and contracts. CISSP is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), the largest multi-disciplinary accreditation body in the Western Hemisphere, adhering to ANAB’s ISO/IEC 17024 standard, the most widely accepted accreditation for personnel certification bodies in the world. CISSP is also compliant with the US War Department’s US DoDM 8140.03 qualification standard for cyberspace workforce personnel.
As a prerequisite to qualify for CISSP, applicants must have at least five years of cumulative, paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains covered on the CISSP exam. Work experience accrues monthly, with part-time work counting less toward the total than full-time work, and paid and unpaid internships also counting. A relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree in a field such as computer science, information technology, or an approved credential can count as one year of required work experience. Applicants lacking sufficient experience may still pass the CISSP exam and become an Associate of ISC2 until the required work experience is earned.
Training courses are available for the CISSP, including authorized ISC2 training as well as third-party training. Unlike with some cybersecurity certifications, training is not mandatory to qualify for the exam.
The eight domains covered by the exam are:
The exam consists of 100 to 150 items in multiple-choice format and advanced formats such as using drag-and-drop to match items, clicking on hotspots in security diagrams, and ranking items in the correct order. Passing the test requires scoring at least 700 out of 1,000 possible points. Three hours are allowed to complete the test.
Tests are administered in authorized testing centers. Applicants may take the exam in English, Spanish, German, Japanese, or Chinese.
Taking the test currently costs US $749 in the Americas and most other parts of the world. Candidates must pay their first annual maintenance fee of US $135 immediately after receiving notification of certification.
The certification application must be completed within nine months of exam date. To complete certification, applicants must follow up successful exam completion by obtaining an endorsement from an ISC2-certified professional and agreeing to the ISC2 Code of Ethics.
Maintaining certification requires paying the annual $135 fee. Associates of ISC2 who have passed the exam but are still completing the work experience requirement pay an annual fee of $50.
The distinctive characteristics of the CISSP can be highlighted by comparing and contrasting it with another highly regarded ISC2 certification, Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP). The CSSLP validates experience with integrating security into the software development lifecycle (SDLC). It is designed for professionals such as software developers and engineers, application security specialists, and security managers. Qualifying for CSSLP requires four years of experience as an SDLC professional. The exam covers eight domains spanning the software development lifecycle, from secure software conceptualization and lifecycle management to secure deployment and supply chains. Passing the exam requires answering 125 multiple-choice and advanced item questions and scoring 700 out of 1,000 points within three hours. Certification requires receiving an endorsement, agreeing to the ISC2 Code of Ethics, and paying a $749 fee and an annual membership fee of $135.
As this overview illustrates, the CSSLP and CISSP share a similar structure, standard of rigor, and pricing. Both can be invaluable for career advancement. However, the CSSLP caters more to professionals tasked with securing the software lifecycle, such as software developers and engineers, while the CISSP is geared toward security program managers.
CISSP certification definitely can be worthwhile if it fits your career path. As of February 2026, the average salary for CISSP-certified professionals in North America is $147,757, while the average salary globally is $119,577. This exponentially eclipses the $749 exam fee and $135 annual membership fee.
That said, the CISSP is a tough test that requires a significant time investment to prepare properly. Before committing to the CISSP, make sure it’s aligned with your current career goals and experience level. If not, you may want to seek a more specialized or less advanced certification first.
CISSP can be invaluable if you’re an experienced cybersecurity professional seeking a senior or management position, but it’s not for everybody. If you’re less experienced in IT security or you’re more interested in practicing a specialty such as software security engineering, pentesting, or red teaming, other certifications may be more appropriate for your needs. Learn more about other security certifications that can advance your career path by visiting the Cobalt Offensive Security Learning Center.