International Information Security Certification Consortium (ISC)² or ISC2
The worldwide integration and use of the internet in the late ’80s and early ’90s led to a meaningful discussion about the need to secure information shared in cyberspace. The many contributing voices to this discussion meant developing a standardized set of rules for studying and applying security measures.
In the mid-1980s, a need arose for a standardized and vendor-neutral certification program that provided structure and demonstrated competence; several professional societies recognized that certification programs attesting to the qualifications of information security personnel were desperately needed.
Recognizing these needs, the International Information System Security Certification Consortium was formed as a non-profit organization specializing in educating and certifying professionals working on information security.
Today, ISC2 has become the world’s largest IT security organization, and its certifications are respected globally.
The Benefits of an ISC2 Certification
Cybersecurity professionals can benefit from participating in the ISC2 certification program. Aside from the knowledge to be gained, many other benefits will be explored in the coming paragraphs.
Benefits to IT Professionals
Validates your Abilities - Mitigating risks and keeping track of security issues is one of the biggest challenges every organization operating any IT infrastructure faces. Therefore, having a certificate that proves your understanding of security issues proves your pedigree to the world.
Puts you ahead of your Colleagues - It is common knowledge that for every job position in the IT community, there are a thousand and one people qualified for it. So, how can one stand out? In IT security, ISC2 gives you the desired platform that puts you head and shoulder above your peers.
Boosts your Earning Potential—A fulfilling career is one where you do what you love while earning a respectable income. Everyone has responsibilities, and a certified professional can make much more to meet their obligations.
The Benefits to Corporate Organizations
Increases an Organization’s Understanding and Implementation of Best Practices - Businesses that employ certified professionals directly enhance their ability to integrate information security codes of ethics and standards.
Projects Confidence to Your Clients—A corporation that ensures its staff is certified in security matters is viewed as a favorable organization to do business with. This builds trust and client confidence when working with or on your platform.
Improves Internal Security—Certified IT security professionals have the knowledge needed to create a coherent security culture across all departments of an organization. This drastically increases a business’s ability to deal with security threats and mitigate risks.
ISC2 Certification: An Overview
The entire ISC2 certification program is built on the backs of seven core disciplines in information security. These certificate programs were developed with professionals and IT security practitioners working in the cybersecurity niche. The seven professional certification programs include:
The first step to becoming certified is obtaining your SSCP credentials; this grants you the status of an Associate ISC2 professional and one of the crucial prerequisites to get a specialized certificate. It is also important to note that the same certification path applies to CAP, CSSLP, or CISSP. Professionals with these credentials fall under the Associate of the ISC2 umbrella.
Certified in Cybersecurity, CC
The CC certification will demonstrate to employers that you have the foundational knowledge of industry terminology, network security, security operations, and policies and procedures necessary for an entry-level- or junior-level cybersecurity role. It will signal your understanding of fundamental security best practices, policies, and systems and your willingness and ability to learn more and grow on the job.
Ideal for:
If you want to join a dynamic and rewarding workforce, get Certified in Cybersecurity and demonstrate to employers that you have the foundational knowledge and passion to join their team. This certification is ideal for:
IT professionals
Career changers looking to transition into cybersecurity.
College students or recent graduates
Why Pursue It:
Respect - Validate your knowledge and build credibility.
Job Offers and Advancement – Gain the solid foundation of cybersecurity knowledge employers seek from an association they trust.
Growth and Learning – Develop new skills you can apply in day-to-day work.
Pathway to Cybersecurity Careers and Advanced Certifications – Build a strong foundation for an infosec career and become familiar with exam formats for advanced ISC2 certifications like the CISSP.
Community of Professionals – Access a network of peers and CPE/learning opportunities.
Higher Salaries – ISC2 members report 35% higher salaries than non-members.
Experience Required:
Entry-Level
NO WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Systems Security Certified Practitioner, SSCP
A global IT security certification. The SSCP recognizes your hands-on, technical abilities and practical experience. It shows you have the skills to implement, monitor, and administer IT infrastructure using information security policies and procedures — ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Ideal for:
Practitioners in operational IT roles or information security
Why Pursue It:
Respect. The SSCP certification validates your knowledge and experience. It’s a way to be taken more seriously. SSCPs have a voice in decisions, and their teams value their advice.
New career opportunities. The SSCP can spark career growth. It can lead to higher pay, promotions, more complex work, exciting challenges, project lead roles, and even better jobs.
Growth and learning. The SSCP proves your knowledge and helps you develop new skills you can apply daily. And you’ll stay up-to-date on emerging security threats.
Experience Required:
Candidates must have at least one year of cumulative work experience in one or more of the seven domains of the SSCP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK).
A one-year experience waiver will be granted for a candidate who received a degree (bachelor's or master's) in a cybersecurity program.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional, CISSP
The most-esteemed cybersecurity certification in the world. The CISSP recognizes information security leaders who understand cybersecurity strategy and hands-on implementation. It shows you have the knowledge and experience to design, develop, and manage the overall security posture of an organization.
Ideal for:
Experienced, high-achieving information security professionals
Why Pursue It:
Career game-changer: The CISSP can catapult your career, leading to more credibility, better opportunities, higher pay, and more.
Ongoing growth and learning: You’ll expand your skills, knowledge, and network of experts to stay at the forefront of your craft.
A mighty challenge. You love to push yourself. You’ll feel exhilarated when you pass our rigorous exam and join this elite community.
Experience Required:
Candidates must have at least five years cumulative, paid, full-time work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK).
Only a one-year experience exemption is granted for education.
Information Systems Security Architecture Professional, CISSP-ISSAP
Elite, specialized credentials that build upon the CISSP. These are optional pursuits for CISSPs who wish to prove their subject matter mastery. The CISSP Concentrations recognize your evolving information security architecture, engineering, or management expertise. As a CISSP-ISSAP, you demonstrate your expertise in developing, designing, and analyzing security solutions. You also excel at giving risk-based guidance to senior management to meet organizational goals.
Ideal for:
CISSPs are in good standing. You’re a life-long learner who wants to go beyond the CISSP and challenge yourself in a specialized area.
Why Pursue It:
A demonstration of excellence. You want to stand out from your fellow CISSPs. A concentration proves you have an elite level of knowledge and expertise.
New opportunities. A CISSP Concentration opens doors from new career paths and jobs to more exciting work.
Growth and learning. This is an opportunity to dive deep and hone your craft. You’ll find new ways to grow and stay at the forefront of information security. Earning your concentration is a big challenge.
Experience Required:
To qualify for the CISSP-ISSAP, you must be a CISSP in good standing and have two years of cumulative, paid, full-time work experience in one or more of the six domains of the CISSP-ISSAP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK).
Information Systems Security Engineering Professional, CISSP-ISSEP
Elite, specialized credentials that build upon the CISSP. These are optional pursuits for CISSPs who wish to prove their subject matter mastery. The CISSP Concentrations recognize your evolving expertise in information security architecture, engineering or management. As a CISSP-ISSEP, you can practically apply systems engineering principles and processes to develop secure systems.
Ideal for:
CISSPs are in good standing. You’re a life-long learner who wants to go beyond the CISSP and challenge yourself in a specialized area.
Why Pursue It:
A demonstration of excellence. You want to stand out from your fellow CISSPs. A concentration proves you have an elite level of knowledge and expertise.
New opportunities. A CISSP Concentration opens doors from new career paths and jobs to more exciting work.
Growth and learning. This is an opportunity to dive deep and hone your craft. You’ll find new ways to grow and stay on the forefront of information security. And earning your concentration is a big challenge.
Experience Required:
To qualify for the CISSP-ISSEP, you must be a CISSP in good standing and have two years of cumulative, paid, full-time work experience in one or more of the five domains of the CISSP-ISSEP CBK.
Information Systems Security Management Professional, CISSP-ISSMP
Elite, specialized credentials that build upon the CISSP. These are optional pursuits for CISSPs who wish to prove their subject matter mastery. The CISSP Concentrations recognize your evolving expertise in information security architecture, engineering or management. As a CISSP-ISSMP, you excel at establishing, presenting, and governing information security programs. You also demonstrate deep management and leadership skills.
Ideal for:
CISSPs are in good standing. You’re a life-long learner who wants to go beyond the CISSP and challenge yourself in a specialized area.
Why Pursue It:
A demonstration of excellence. You want to stand out from your fellow CISSPs. A concentration proves you have an elite level of knowledge and expertise.
New opportunities. A CISSP Concentration opens doors from new career paths and jobs to more exciting work.
Growth and learning. This is an opportunity to dive deep and hone your craft. You’ll find new ways to grow and stay on the forefront of information security. And earning your concentration is a big challenge.
Experience Required:
To qualify for the CISSP-ISSMP, you must be a CISSP in good standing and have two years of cumulative, paid, full-time work experience in one or more of the six domains of the CISSP-ISSMP CBK.
Governance, Risk and Compliance Certification, CGRC
Capitalize on the rising demand for Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) expertise by earning the CGRC certification. The CGRC is a proven way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to integrate governance, performance management, risk management, and regulatory compliance within your organization.
CGRC professionals utilize frameworks to integrate security and privacy within organizational objectives, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding data security, compliance, supply chain risk management, and more.
Ideal for:
The CGRC is ideal for IT, information security, and information assurance practitioners who work in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) roles and d to understand, apply, nee and implement a risk management program for IT systems within an organization, including positions like:
Cybersecurity Auditor
Cybersecurity Compliance Officer
GRC Architect
GRC Manager
Cybersecurity Risk & Compliance Project Manager
Cybersecurity Risk & Controls Analyst
Cybersecurity Third-Party Risk Manager
Enterprise Risk Manager
GRC Analyst
GRC Director
Information Assurance Manager
Why Pursue It:
Learn how to use the RMF to support your organization's operations while complying with legal and regulatory requirements.
Focus on preparing for the CGRC certification exam through drill sessions, review of the entire CAP Body of Knowledge, and practical question and answer scenarios—all following a high-energy seminar approach
The CGRC is the only certification under the DoD8570 mandate that aligns with each RMF step.
Show employers you have the advanced technical skills and knowledge to authorize and maintain information systems within the RMF using best practices, policies, and procedures.
The CGRC certification is sought by civilian, state, and local governments and system integrators supporting these organizations.
Leave with the knowledge and skills necessary to earn your ISC2 CGRC certification, which verifies your ability to set up formal processes to assess risk and establish security requirements.
Experience Required:
To meet the CGRC certification requirements, you must have at least two years of paid work experience in at least one of the seven domains listed in the (ISC)² CGRC™ Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). However, you can become an Associate of (ISC)² by passing the exam without the required work experience.
Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional, CSSLP
A global, vendor-neutral certification to recognize those with leading software and application security skills. The CSSLP recognizes your expertise and ability to incorporate security practices — authentication, authorization, and auditing — into each phase of the SDLC.
Ideal for:
IT professionals involved in the software development lifecycle (SDLC) — including developers, testers, and project managers — who are responsible for security practices and resisting malicious hackers
Why Pursue It:
Instant credibility. The CSSLP proves you’re a subject matter expert in application security. It shows you have desirable skills for employers worldwide, giving you more opportunities.
Relevant, new knowledge. Earning the CSSLP is a great way to expand your software security knowledge and affirm your expertise. It offers continuing education so you can keep your skills current and relevant.
Versatile skills. The CSSLP isn’t product-specific, so you can easily apply your skills to different technologies and methodologies.
Experience Required:
Candidates must have a minimum of four years cumulative, paid, full-time SDLC professional experience in one or more of the eight domains of the CSSLP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK).
A four-year college degree or regional equivalent will waive one year of the required experience.
Only a one-year experience exemption is granted for education.
Certified Cloud Security Professional, CCSP
The premier cloud security certification. It is one of the hottest certifications on the market today. The CCSP recognizes IT and information security leaders with the knowledge and competency to apply best practices to cloud security architecture, design, operations, and service orchestration. It shows you’re at the forefront of cloud security.
Ideal for:
Experienced, high-achieving IT and information security professionals who work in and consult about cloud platforms
Why Pursue It:
Instant credibility: The CCSP positions you as an authority figure on cloud security. It’s a quick way to communicate your knowledge and earn the trust of your clients or senior leadership.
Staying ahead: The CCSP can enhance your knowledge of cloud security and keep you current on evolving technologies.
Versatility: You can use your knowledge across various cloud platforms. This makes you more marketable and ensures you’re better equipped to protect sensitive data in a global environment.
Career advancement: The CCSP creates new opportunities — from moving into more strategic roles to adding new consulting services to your business.
Experience Required:
Candidates must have at least five years cumulative, paid, full-time work experience in information technology.
Three years must be in information security, and one year must be in one or more of the six domains of the CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK).
Earning the Cloud Security Alliance's CCSK certificate can be substituted for one year of experience in one or more of the six domains of the CCSP CBK.
Earning ISC2s CISSP credentials can be substituted for the entire CCSP experience requirement.
The Salary Advantages of Obtaining an ISC2 Certificate
Everyone, including you, believes that acquiring an ISC2 certificate is a pathway to both personal and professional development in IT security, and this is indeed true. One of the significant advantages of your certification is the ability to earn more than your peers without one.
System Security Certified Professional, SSCP - certified professionals earn $50,000 to $75,000
Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)—certified professionals earn $69,000 to $120,000
Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)—certified professionals earn $65,000 to $105,000
Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (ISSAP)—certified professionals earn $87,000 to $160,000
Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (ISSEP)—certified professionals earn $160,000 to $102,000
Information Systems Security Management Professional (ISSMP)—certification professionals earn $105,000 to $170,000
Since its inception, the ISC2 has remained one of the most popular IT security certification bodies in the tech community. Today, ISC2 boasts of thousands of members across 160 nations. Participating in its programs puts you in its select community of professionals with validated credentials.
Training and Exam Preparation
Pursuing an ISC2 certification is a well-rounded process that consists of more than just sitting your chosen exam and passing it. This is because the certification program also includes multiple learning opportunities that allow you to acquire extensive knowledge of the IT security industry.
Many students also learn at their own pace to eliminate confusion and other scheduling challenges that usually arise when you simultaneously work and study. If you fall into this category, then it is recommended that you take advantage of the customized learning processes Chauster provides.
Here, you can easily tailor your learning experience to fit your schedule without missing out on any of the CBK domains you have been tasked with studying.
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