(ISC)² Blog

Deep Dive into CISSP Salary Data

(ISC)² is most widely known for the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification. Holding your CISSP certification means something. It means you are experienced, well-trained, dedicated and constantly working to stay up to speed on the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity. There are more than 125,000 certified CISSPs around the world working at Fortune 100 companies, start-ups and as independent contractors. Certification Magazine surveyed a group of CISSPs and discovered they remain among the highest compensated security professionals, with an average U.S. salary of $131,030. To learn more about CISSP salary information, including job satisfaction and experience levels, read the... Read more →

So You Think You Can Cyber?

The 2018 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, recently released by (ISC)2, reveals that 63% of organizations currently don’t have enough cybersecurity staff. The number is hardly surprising considering the worldwide cybersecurity workforce shortage is nearly 3 million. Employers have an acute need to build their cyber teams with the requisite skills and experience. Their priorities in looking for candidates include: relevant work experience – 49% understanding of advanced cybersecurity concepts – 47% cybersecurity certifications – 43% extensive cybersecurity work experience – 40% strong non-technical/soft skills – 39% If you’re seeking employment in a cybersecurity role, keep these priorities in mind. They provide... Read more →

SSCP Creates Point of Entry to Cyber Career

If you’re looking to break into the field of cybersecurity – and workforce research shows, we need you to join us – (ISC)²’s SSCP certification may be the way to go. Certification Magazine recently wrote about the SSCP certification as a solid point of entry for aspiring security professionals. The certification is ideal for those in “boots on the ground” positions within security operations. The SSCP exam is highly technical and focused on hands-on knowledge skills. The certification is ideal for security analysts, systems engineers, database administrators and others responsible for the day-to-day operations of securing their organizations critical assets.... Read more →

HCISPP Spotlight: Ana Ferreira

Name: Ana Ferreira Title: Doctor Employer: Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto Location: Porto, Portugal Education: BSc in Computer Science, MSc in Information Security, PhD in Computer Science Years in IT: 20 Years in cybersecurity and/or privacy: 16 Cybersecurity certifications: CISSP, HCISPP How did you decide upon a career in healthcare security and/or privacy? After I graduated in 1998, I went to work for a healthcare education institution as a researcher and IT specialist. After a few years, I realized that security and privacy, especially in the domain of healthcare, were crucial... Read more →

Now Available: CISSP-ISSAP and CISSP-ISSEP Training

You asked – we listened! We are excited to announce new Online Self-Paced Training for the CISSP-ISSAP and CISSP-ISSEP concentrations. These courses are available in the recently updated (ISC)² Learning Management System. Both self-paced courses include online access for 134 days, as well as flash cards, a post-course assessment, case studies, quizzes, videos and other learning activities. The ISSAP concentration is ideal for a CISSP who specializes in designing security solutions and providing management with risk-based guidance to meet organizational goals. The Official (ISC)² ISSAP Self-Paced Training covers the six domains of the CISSP-ISSAP CBK®: Identity and Access Management Architecture... Read more →

HCISPP Spotlight: Rema Deo

Name: Rema Deo Title: Managing Director Employer: 24By7Security, Inc. Location: Coral Springs, Florida Education: MBA Years in IT: 25+ Years in Cybersecurity: 5+ Cybersecurity Certifications: HCISPP How did you decide upon a career in healthcare security and/or privacy? I have been in risk management technology and compliance technology career for banking for several years, so when it was time for a change, Cybersecurity and Compliance related work was a logical next choice. 24By7Security has a client portfolio consisting of healthcare organizations as well as several other industries. Healthcare security and privacy work is still more nascent compared to financial technology,... Read more →

A First-Hand Experience with CISSP CAT

Patrick Strijkers is a 43-year-old information risk security officer at a pension funds firm in the Netherlands. He works in the IT security department in security incident management. Patrick’s employer runs a job rotation program, allowing him to gain experience in a variety of roles, with his next position coming invulnerability management this September. He holds the following security certifications: CompTIA Security+ CompTIA Network+ EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker v8 EC-Council Certified Security Analyst v8 EC-Council Computer Hacking Forensics Investigator v8 Rapid7 Nexpose Rapid7 Metasploit Pro Patrick’s goal last year was to earn his CISSP certification. He attended a five-day boot... Read more →

Make a lasting impact while in New Orleans during (ISC)² Security Congress

Data breaches are happening far too often. Stories about personal information being compromised are part of the daily news cycle. But even after the fact, many people are still not taking internet safety seriously. Let’s not forget that human error causes 90 percent of security incidents. Training employees about cybersecurity is essential but educating younger generations from the moment they gain access to the internet, should be a priority. This year, at (ISC)² Security Congress in New Orleans, cyber, information, software and infrastructure security professionals will learn about cyber safety education thanks to the Center for Cyber Safety and Education,... Read more →

Attacks Happen. Be Ready.

A data breach hits headquarters at 3 a.m. Are your critical assets secure? Hire (ISC)²-certified cybersecurity professionals to prepare for, prevent and recover from attacks. Read more →

CISSP Spotlight: Paul Bryant

Name: Paul Bryant Title: CIO Employer: phew! Cyber Security Location: Auckland, New Zealand Education: MCom (Hons), LLB (Hons) Years in IT: 20 Years in cybersecurity: 15 Cybersecurity certifications: CISSP How did you decide upon a career in cybersecurity? In my roles designing and managing financial services technology infrastructures and leading technology teams I had a good deal of both technical and non-technical exposure to information security considerations and solutions. It is a complex and ever-changing area that bridges business and technology, and requires both technical and commercial engagement. It is also an area that is under-served in industry. Why did... Read more →

ENABLE: (ISC)² Members Can Access Cloud Security Training from A Cloud Guru

(ISC)²’s theme for 2018 is Enrich. Enable. Excel. In an effort to enable our members to be the best in their field, we have partnered with A Cloud Guru to offer a one-month free membership to A Cloud Guru. This benefit allows members exclusive access to cloud security education from A Cloud Guru, which delivers an array of cloud security courses to enable cybersecurity professionals to better defend their data in the cloud. Cloud security was identified as the number one skill security professionals needed to acquire or strengthen to advance their career, according our 2017 Global Information Security Workforce... Read more →

(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 →

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 →

Associate of (ISC)² Spotlight: Rachel Phillips

Name: Rachel Phillips, PMP, Assoc. (ISC)² (ISC)² Exam(s) Passed: CISSP Title: Cybersecurity Analyst Location: Seattle, WA, U.S.A. Education: M.S. Information Technology (Security and Assurance) and B.S. Business Administration (New Media and Internet), Kaplan University Years in IT: 10 Years in Cybersecurity: 3 Cybersecurity Certifications: Associate of (ISC)² Rachel Phillips, PMP, Assoc. (ISC)² is an influencer and sought-after contributor for her views and leadership in technology and security. She holds a Master’s in IT with emphasis in Information Security and Assurance, and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Kaplan University. As a cybersecurity analyst, she provides oversight and assurance of meeting... Read more →

Ways to Earn CISSP CPEs

In this ever-changing field, you’re constantly required to learn about new tools, vulnerabilities and threats. We know that time and financial resources may get in the way of participating in CPE offerings that help you sharpen your skills and hone your craft. We are committed to enabling our members to become the most well-rounded and effective cybersecurity practitioners around so we’ve compiled a list of CISSP CPE opportunities that will work for your busy schedule. Online CPE Opportunities: Read InfoSecurity Professional Magazine (and take the quiz) Watch a CPE webinar (including any of our cybersecurity webinar series: ThinkTank, e-Symposium, From... Read more →

SSCP Spotlight: Wai Sheng Cheng

Name: Wai Sheng Cheng Title: Security Analyst Employer: Cboe Global Markets Location: Kansas, U.S.A. Degree: Master of Science, Information Systems Engineering, Johns Hopkins University Years in IT: 6 Years in information security: 3 Cybersecurity certifications: SSCP How did you decide upon a career in cybersecurity? I decided on a career in cybersecurity when my email account was first compromised in 2011. I learned about this when my friends and family called to ask if I had sent out emails asking for money. As an engineer-in-training, I was curious to know why and how this had happened. It was through this... Read more →

SSCP Spotlight: Timothy Meryweather

Name: Timothy Meryweather Title: IT Auditor Location: Greater Los Angeles Area Degree: Bachelor of Science Years in information security: 6 Cybersecurity certifications: SSCP (ISACA: CISA, CRISC) How did you decide upon a career in cybersecurity? Our Audit Department’s Senior IT Auditor needed help and I was transferred from Background Licensing. Right place, right time. I possess a guardian spirit and have mostly worked in similar areas of employment: U.S. Marine, Deputy Sheriff, Police Officer, Private Security/Life Safety, casino surveillance, background licensing investigator. With my investigative training background, it was a natural migration into auditing the cybersecurity of information technology. Why... Read more →

SSCP Spotlight: Simon Morgan

Name: Simon Morgan Title: IT Systems Engineer Employer: LSA Systems Ltd. Location: Billericay, U.K. Degree: HND in Computing Years in IT: 15 Years in information security: 3 Cybersecurity certifications: SSCP How did you decide upon a career in cybersecurity? Information security has always interested me. The ever-present risks that business and individuals face from cyber-attacks and threat actors drives me to try and help protect them to the best of my ability. It is an exciting field to be in that has new and interesting challenges on a daily basis. Not only this, but going forward in my career I... Read more →