As cybersecurity continues to evolve, so do the career aspirations of CISSP-certified cybersecurity professionals. The most recent ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study – a survey of 11,946 – revealed insightful trends about what drives these experts in their professional journeys.
Understanding what motivates CISSPs can help organizations and their leaders work better with their teams. A united sense of purpose can lead to more engaged and satisfied teams, leading to staff retention which serves to create resilience in a cybersecurity program.
Top Career Goals Among CISSPs
Across the global respondent pool, three key career goals emerged as the most common:
- Balancing Personal Fulfillment and Professional Growth – 47%
- Achieving Financial Success and Stability – 39%
- Successfully Protecting Organizational Assets – 33%
Balancing personal fulfillment and professional growth was the top-ranked goal overall, highlighting a strong desire among CISSPs to find meaning and satisfaction in their work while advancing their careers. Financial goals remain a central motivator, reflecting the importance of compensation and long-term security in the cybersecurity field. The third-ranked goal underscores the core mission of CISSPs, and the vision of ISC2 as an association: a safe and secure cyber world.
Impact of Seniority Motivations
While goals are generally aligned across certifications, the report did find a shift in motivations through career progression. Most notably, senior leaders – including C-level executives and executive management – were more likely to value recognition, societal impact and leadership roles. Conversely, those in mid-level or junior positions prioritized personal fulfillment, organizational protection and career advancement.
The data suggests that – as senior professionals are generally more content with their current career level than mid-level and juniors – that career development programs should be tailored to match evolving motivations. Offering growth opportunities and meaningful work for early-career professionals, while emphasizing influence and legacy for leaders, can encourage retainment and stability in cybersecurity teams.
Geographic Insights: Cultural and Market Influences
Career goals varied more significantly by country, with notable differences in Japan, India, and the United States.
- CISSPs in India prioritized becoming recognized industry experts or thought leaders and making a significant impact on society or the world as their top two goals.
- According to respondents in Japan, CISSPs prioritize keeping people safer, reflecting a strong societal focus.
- While the U.S. followed the global trend with personal fulfillment and professional growth as the top goal, there were some unique variations in the ranking of secondary goals.
Conclusion
These findings reveal that while CISSPs around the world share common aspirations—particularly the desire for personal and professional balance—regional and cultural factors influence how professionals define success. Understanding these nuances can help organizations better support their cybersecurity teams and align career development programs with what truly motivates their talent.