AI is firmly established as cross-organizational tool, with cybersecurity both leveraging this rapidly evolving technology as well as facing threats derived from it. As a CISSP, your certification affirms your capability to address AI issues and decision-making, as well as providing you with paths to further develop and grow your AI skills base amid rapid developments in AI technologies, platforms and AI-based threats.  

Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the defining forces shaping cybersecurity practices and skills development in 2026. According to the ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, rapid AI adoption is reshaping security operations and accelerating the need for professionals who can effectively evaluate, secure and govern AI systems.

Security teams are feeling the pressure. AI was identified as the most pressing skills need by 41% of cybersecurity professionals. More than two-thirds (70%), including many CISSPs, responding to our study are pursuing additional AI qualifications to stay relevant and future‑ready. With the rise of AI‑driven threats and AI‑powered defensive tools, CISSPs and other ISC2 certification holders are embracing training and upskilling opportunities to maintain their career edge. 

5 Ways CISSPs Can Build AI Security Skills in 2026

For CISSPs looking to strengthen or demonstrate their AI security expertise, here are five practical ways for to get started, backed by ISC2 education offerings and aligned to the trends shaping the cybersecurity workforce.

1. Take ISC2 AI Security Express Courses (Perfect for Busy CISSPs)

The ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study makes it clear: organizations need professionals with current and relevant AI security skills. Express courses help CISSPs quickly close those gaps by focusing on applied, job-ready knowledge aligned with organizational needs.

These courses include short, high‑impact options like:

  • Generative AI and Secure Development
  • AI Integration and Monitoring
  • Balancing Innovation with Responsible AI Use

With AI security tools already used by nearly 30% of organizations surveyed and another 41% actively exploring them, these courses are ideal for practitioners responding to fast‑moving operational changes. Learn more.

2. Earn the ISC2 AI Security Certificate

AI security is the top skills need according to the study respondents, with 88% also seeing their organizations experiencing security consequences due to skills shortages. It also means there are opportunities for CISSPs to better secure their organizations while also demonstrating their AI security expertise to current and future employers.

The ISC2 AI Security Certificate helps CISSPs develop and achieve recognition of their skills and capabilities:

  • Recognizing types of AI attacks and determining mitigation strategies
  • Identifying and addressing AI blind spots and limitations
  • Identifying weaknesses in AI security tools
  • Discovering strategies to balance AI tools with human decision-making
  • Understanding how AI security frameworks align with broader security principles
  • Comparing specific security frameworks and standards related to AI
  • Identifying key principles and guidelines that underpin AI security

and more

CISSPs are already well regraded for their proven expertise to effectively design, implement and manage best-in-class cybersecurity programs leveraging a variety of technologies. Earning the ISC2 AI Security Certificate demonstrates that CISSPs also have the strategic and technical grounding needed to secure AI systems and manage emerging AI risks. Learn more.

3. Build Hands-On Expertise Through AI Security Workshops

ISC2 Securing AI workshops enable CISSPs to collaborate in-person with their peers to

explore strategies to maximize the power of AI while managing the risks is creates. These workshops offer a deep dive into securing AI deployments to help CISSPs:

  • Develop an AI security roadmap that leverages the benefits of AI while acknowledging the threats it presents to organizations
  • Ensure organizations’ AI practices are aligned with established risk management and emerging industry best practices
  • Implement security access to the AI lifecycle using secure by design and default principles

ISC2 Securing AI workshops are designed for CISSPs and mid- and senior-level cybersecurity professionals with five or more years of experience pursuing a strategic understanding of AI security. Learn more.

4. Stay Current with AI Trends Through ISC2 AI Security Research

As AI adoption accelerates, staying informed is just as important as hands‑on training. The ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study makes it clear that skills needs now outweigh headcount shortages as the top challenge facing CISSPs and their security teams.

The ISC2 AI Pulse Survey also offers insights into how AI tools are reshaping cybersecurity operations:

  • Adoption is showing measurable benefits. Among AI security tool users, 70% report improved team effectiveness, especially in areas such as network monitoring (60%) and endpoint protection (56%).
  • Larger enterprises lead adoption at 37%. Mid‑sized and smaller organizations are rapidly following, while the smallest firms remain the most cautious, with 23% having no plans to evaluate AI tools.
  • The top areas where AI is already having an impact for organizations are network monitoring and intrusion detection (60%), endpoint protection (56%) and vulnerability management (50%).

Together, these research insights help CISSPs anticipate where AI security needs are headed, understand organizational adoption patterns and identify which AI‑related competencies will be most valuable in future roles. Regularly reviewing ISC2 research keeps CISSPs ahead of the curve and enables them to guide their organizations with data‑driven clarity. Learn more.

5. Learn From Peers Who Are Already Deploying AI Securely

One of the most valuable aspects of ISC2 membership is joining a community of peers willing to help each other learn and navigate new challenges. Peer learning is one of the fastest ways to understand what works in real-world environments.

CISSPs can find a wide array of first-hand accounts and lessons-learned articles written by their peers on ISC2 Insights, including:

Learn more.

AI Security Creates Opportunity for CISSPs

AI isn’t replacing cybersecurity professionals, but it is creating new knowledge, skills and abilities which CISSPs can learn to better defend their organizations and advance their careers.

Learn how ISC2 CISSPs learn new AI security skills at www.isc2.org/AI.

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