About CISSP

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is the most globally recognized certification in the information security market. CISSP validates an information security professional’s deep technical and managerial knowledge and experience to effectively design, engineer, and manage the overall security posture of an organization.

The broad spectrum of topics included in the CISSP Exam Outline ensure its relevancy across all disciplines in the field of information security. Successful candidates are competent in the following eight domains:

Security and Risk Management
Asset Security
Security Architecture and Engineering
Communication and Network Security
Identity and Access Management (IAM)
Security Assessment and Testing
Security Operations
Software Development Security

Experience Requirements

Candidates must have a minimum of five years cumulative, full-time experience in two or more of the eight domains of the current CISSP Exam Outline. Earning a post-secondary degree (bachelors or masters) in computer science, Information Technology (IT) or related fields may satisfy up to one year of the required experience or an additional credential from the ISC2 approved list may satisfy up to one year of the required experience. Only one year of experience can be waived. Part-time work and internships may also count towards the experience requirement.

A candidate that doesn’t have the required experience to become a CISSP may become an Associate of ISC2 by successfully passing the CISSP examination. The Associate of ISC2 will then have six years to earn the five years required experience. You can learn more about CISSP experience requirements and how to account for part-time work and internships.

Accreditation

CISSP was the first credential in the field of information security to meet the stringent requirements of the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) ISO/IEC Standard 17024.

Job Task Analysis (JTA)

ISC2 has an obligation to its membership to maintain the relevancy of the CISSP. Conducted at regular intervals, the Job Task Analysis (JTA) is a methodical and critical process of determining the tasks that are performed by security professionals who are engaged in the profession defined by the CISSP. The results of the JTA are used to update the examination. This process ensures that candidates are tested on the topic areas relevant to the roles and responsibilities of today’s practicing information security professionals.

CISSP Exam Information

The CISSP exam uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) for all exams.

Length of exam	3 hours
Number of items	100 - 150
Item format	Multiple choice and advanced item types
Passing grade	700 out of 1000 points
Exam language availability	Chinese, English, German, Japanese, Spanish
Testing center	ISC2 Authorized PPC and PVTC Select Pearson VUE Testing Centers

Notice:  Chinese language CISSP exams are only available during select appointment windows.

Annual Availability: March 1-31, June 1-30, September 1-30, December 1-31

CISSP Examination Weights

Domains	Average Weight
1. Security and Risk Management	16%
2. Asset Security	10%
3. Security Architecture and Engineering	13%
4. Communication and Network Security	13%
5. Identity and Access Management (IAM)	13%
6. Security Assessment and Testing	12%
7. Security Operations	13%
8. Software Development Security	10%
Total	100%

CISSP Certification Exam Outline Summary

Domains

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Domains