(ISC)² Blog

(ISC)² Item Writing Explained

To ensure the CISSP exam remains up-to-date and relevant to the industry, we are constantly working on the exam items (aka “questions”), and that process is 100% member-driven! (ISC)² spoke with Lisa Vaughan, CISSP, about her experience in a recent Item Writing Workshop. Lisa is the Chief Information Officer for the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and it was her first-time volunteering as an item writer. She was a participant in a CISSP Item Writing Workshop that took place in Tampa, Florida. The workshop spans three days, taking these dedicated member volunteers away from their jobs and family for a... Read more →

HCISPP Spotlight: Debi Carr

Name: Debi Carr Title: CEO and Consultant Employer: D. K. Carr and Associates, LLC Location: Christmas, FL, U.S.A. Years in IT: 28 years Years in cybersecurity and/or privacy: 20 years Cybersecurity certifications: HCISPP, CAHIMS How did you decide upon a career in healthcare security and/or privacy? As a practice manager of a healthcare practice, I was appointed the “Privacy and Security” Officer when HIPAA went into effect. I was also responsible for overseeing the technology in the practice through the years. As a result, I began educating myself on security and privacy protocols. Why did you decide to pursue your... Read more →

User Awareness Keeps Cybersecurity Jobseekers Busy

There’s no question cybersecurity professionals are busy people, but what takes up their time at work? According to recent (ISC)2 research, the skills they most employ each day are network monitoring, security analysis and security administration, while forensics and penetration analysis rank at the bottom. But if you ask those who are actively looking for a new job, the daily task that comes up most often is user awareness training. Some 38% of respondents who said they’d be starting a job search within six months revealed they conduct user training every day, while 31% do it two to three times... Read more →

Report: Minority Cybersecurity Workers Face Workplace Disadvantages

Non-white cybersecurity workers outnumber their white counterparts in advanced education degrees (master’s and higher), but they are still underrepresented in managerial positions. As a group, minority professionals also get paid less than Caucasians, according to a new report from (ISC)2. The report, Innovation Through Inclusion: The Multicultural Cybersecurity Workforce suggests ethnic and racial minority professionals face barriers to advancement that don’t seem to apply to Caucasians. The same is true when it comes to salaries, as Caucasian workers significantly out-earn their multicultural peers. Minority workers make up 26% of the U.S. cybersecurity workforce, just five points above the overall minority... Read more →

Ghana Chapter Plays Key Role in Securing Republic’s Digital Journey

Focused on “Securing Ghana’s Digital Journey,” the Republic of Ghana’s Ministry of Communications recently united representatives from multiple international bodies for National Cyber Security Week (NCSW). Members of the (ISC)2 Ghana Chapter played key roles in ensuring the event’s success. Opened by Ghana President H.E. Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo, the weeklong forum gathered participants from the Council of Europe (GLACY +), the United States/Security Governance Initiative, the United Nations, ECOWAS, African Union Commission, and others. (ISC)2 Ghana Chapter Treasurer Alexander Oppong, CISSP, served on the NCSW Planning Committee responsible for the event’s funding, exhibiting, sponsor selection, and physical/cyber security. Ghana... Read more →

HCISPP Spotlight: Bryan Bell

Name: Bryan Bell Title: Senior Director, P2PE Employer: Coalfire Systems, Inc. Location: Alpharetta, Georgia, U.S.A. Education: Clayton State University, Computer Science Years in IT: 25+ Years in cybersecurity and/or privacy: 12+ Cybersecurity certifications: HCISPP, HITRUST CSF, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, CFCP, PCI QSA (PA-P2PE) How did you decide upon a career in healthcare security and/or privacy? I’ve enjoyed working within information technology since high school and through college where I was developing applications and learning systems design and networking. I’ve always been drawn to healthcare security, because there is a continuing dilemma from healthcare providers to balance technology and information... Read more →

What Does CISSP CAT Mean for You?

By now, you’ve heard that the CISSP exam format has changed from linear to Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT). This change to the English language exam started in December of 2017. If have questions about what this change means for you, as you’re preparing for your CISSP, we’ve got answers in our latest video: Looking for even more information? Check out our CISSP CAT FAQs. Read more →

People and technology: a two-pronged approach to closing the skills gap

By Wesley Simpson, COO, (ISC)² Some have called the skills gap in IT and cybersecurity a national security crisis. Yet, it’s one that most everyone in the industry doesn’t know how to solve. Many look to automation and other technologies as a solution to the problem. Others foster relationships that will fill the pipeline and attract new talent. But there is no ONE solution. Instead, organizations need to both build and buy the talent they need. The growing gap between skills needed and qualified candidates is not a problem that technology alone can solve, but it is one that is... Read more →

Scholarship opportunities with (ISC)² and The Center for Cyber Safety and Education

Every year, (ISC)² and The Centre for Cyber Safety and Education award a range of scholarships to individuals pursuing, or planning to pursue a degree in cybersecurity or information security. Addressing the cybersecurity skills gap The aim of these initiatives are to help bridge the cybersecurity workforce skills gap - which our research predicts to reach a 1.8 million shortfall in the next four years - and improve diversity within the profession; by providing future information security professionals with Undergraduate, Graduate or Women’s scholarships to assist them in preparing for their rewarding career in this vital sector. How the scholarship... Read more →