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Domain Change FAQs for CISSP-ISSEP

Q:

Why are changes being made to the CISSP-ISSEP exam?

 
A:
(ISC)² has an obligation to its membership to maintain the relevancy of its credentials. These enhancements are the result of a rigorous, methodical process that (ISC)² follows to routinely update its credential exams. This process ensures that the examinations and subsequent continuing professional education requirements encompass the topic areas relevant to the roles and responsibilities of today's practicing cybersecurity engineering professional.
Q:

How is the CISSP-ISSEP exam changing?

 
A:

The content of the CISSP-ISSEP has been refreshed to reflect the most pertinent issues that cybersecurity engineering professionals currently face.

As a result of the content refresh, we have updated some of the domain names to describe the topics accurately. For details on the exam domain and subdomain changes, review our CISSP-ISSEP Domain Refresh guide.

Previous CISSP-ISSEP Domain Names

New CISSP-ISSEP Domain Names

Domain 1: Security Engineering Principles

Domain 1: Systems Security Engineering Foundations

Domain 2: Risk Management

Domain 2: Risk Management

Domain 3: Security Planning, Design, and Implementation

Domain 3: Security Planning and Design

Domain 4: Secure Operations, Maintenance, and Disposal

Domain 4: Systems Implementation, Verification and Validation

Domain 5: Systems Engineering Technical Management

Domain 5: Secure Operations, Change Management and Disposal

 

Domains

Weights

Domain 1: Systems Security Engineering Foundations

25%

Domain 2: Risk Management

14%

Domain 3: Security Planning and Design

30%

Domain 4: Systems Implementation, Verification and Validation

14%

Domain 5: Secure Operations, Change Management and Disposal

17%

Total

100%

 

Q:

Why do domains for (ISC)² credential exams change?

 
A:
Domains change because it is a reflection of a change in the knowledge, skills and abilities, as indicated by experts through the Job Task Analysis process.
Q:

When will these changes go into effect?

 
A:
The exam changes will go into effect on November 13, 2020.
Q:

In what language will the refreshed CISSP-ISSEP exam be available?

 
A:
The refreshed CISSP-ISSEP exam will be available in English only.
Q:

Will this change the number of questions or the time required to take the CISSP-ISSEP exam?

 
A:
Yes. The CISSP-ISSEP exam will be reduced to 125 items from 150. (ISC)² has decided to reduce the number of exam items from 125 operational and 25 pre-test items to 100 operational and 25 pre-test items. The testing time of three hours remains the same.
Q:

Why is the number of questions being reduced?

 
A:
The decision to reduce test length for the CISSP-ISSEP exam was made to maintain consistency across all (ISC)² exams
Q:

If I have been studying for the CISSP-ISSEP exam with material that focuses on the current domains, will I be sufficiently prepared to take the new exam without additional study?

 
A:
(ISC)² exams are experience-based that include experience-based questions that cannot be learned by studying alone. If you already have the experience in the domains covered in CISSP-ISSEP and believe that you have sufficiently studied those domains, you should feel confident that you are qualified to take the new exam and pass it. (ISC)² cannot guarantee you will pass the exam.
Q:

Do these updates affect the experience requirement for the CISSP-ISSEP?

 
A:
No. For the CISSP-ISSEP, a candidate is required to have a minimum of two years of cumulative work experience in one or more of the five domains of the CISSP-ISSEP CBK.
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