(ISC)² Blog

Survey Says: CISSP and CCSP Among the Most In Demand IT Certifications of 2021

The (ISC)² CISSP and CCSP certifications have recently racked up more recognition from global staffing firm Robert Half. The company’s 2021 Technology Salary Guide looked at the trends and skills impacting technology professionals, as well as the most in-demand IT certifications today. The (ISC)² programs were two of the top 15 in demand certifications highlighted in a CRN story on the topic. Why Are CISSP and CCSP So In Demand? The COVID-19 pandemic shined an even brighter spotlight on the global cybersecurity workforce shortage. While the industry is making strides to fill the talent gap, the pandemic placed greater emphasis... Read more →

The Future of Cybersecurity in Higher Education: Four Possible Scenarios

A new report by the higher education technology association EDUCAUSE imagines four possible future scenarios of cybersecurity trends in colleges and universities. The report takes into account technology, environmental, economic and political trends to develop the scenarios, while also acknowledging evolving cybersecurity practices and data governance and privacy trends. The goal of EDUCAUSE’s “Horizon Report” is to provide information and analysis to help higher education institutions “learn, plan, and act on all that is influencing higher education information security, now and in the future.” At the same time, the report acknowledges that planning for the future is an inexact science.... Read more →

Global Achievement Awards - What's new in 2021?

Nominations are now open for the (ISC)² Global Achievement Awards. These awards recognize individuals whose excellence, leadership and volunteer efforts have significantly advanced the cybersecurity industry and contributed to the vision of inspiring a safe and secure cyber world. Most awards are open to both (ISC)² members and non-members, though self-nomination is not permitted. Individual awards for cybersecurity professionals throughout their career include: (ISC)² Government Professional Award (ISC)² Rising Star Professional Award (ISC)² Mid-Career Award (ISC)² Senior Professional Award Additionally, the following awards which were previously selected exclusively by the (ISC)² Board of Directors are now open to nominations from... Read more →

Technology and the New Frontier of the Healthcare Industry (The Internet of Medical Things)

The New Face of Healthcare Healthcare is currently undergoing a digital transformation that rivals the development of autonomous vehicles in the automobile industry. In fact, there are connections between improved healthcare and autonomous vehicle development. Digital transformation is a buzzword that evokes many grand ideas. In healthcare, one article succinctly articulated it: “Digital transformation in healthcare is the positive impact of technology in healthcare”. Some of the positive outcomes of digital transformation in healthcare include the rise of telemedicine, the development of internet-enabled medical devices, and medical practice and education via virtual reality technology. These developments are enhanced by the... Read more →

How Do I Advance My Career in the Cybersecurity Field?

By Mike Privette, CISSP A question I often get asked is, "How do I advance my career in the cybersecurity field?" tl;dr: Figure out for yourself what "advancement" means (i.e., more money, better title, more challenging problems to solve, etc.) Market yourself and ask others for help to achieve what you want Build a brand an audience around #1 and #2 About Me I've spent more than 15 years operating in, building, and leading cybersecurity programs at several Fortune 500 companies in the Financial Services industry. I'm also the Founder & Managing Principal of Fraction Consulting, where I get to... Read more →

Cybersecurity Predictions for 2021 from the (ISC)² Community of Security Professionals (Part 2)

By Diana-Lynn Contesti, CISSP-ISSAP, ISSMP, CSSLP, SSCP John Martin, CISSP-ISSAP, CISM Richard Nealon, CISSP-ISSMP, SSCP, SCF In part one of this blog series, we discussed privacy, remote access (aka Work from Home), insider threats, data leakage, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) and security architecture. To continue this discussion, we believe that 2021 will still see folks working from home; thus, the risks due to insider threats and data leakage will continue to grow. However, we believe that there are other concerns for information security professionals, including edge computing, 5G, IoMT/IoT, AI and ransomware. Edge Computing Edge Computing is a distributed computing... Read more →

How Small Businesses and Big Enterprises Structure Their Cybersecurity Teams

When it comes to cybersecurity, bigger may not always be the best indicator of effectiveness. (ISC)2 research reveals organizations of all sizes have similar strategies when it comes to structuring their cybersecurity teams. Set aside bigger technology budgets for a moment and focus on people; Look at how small and midsized businesses (SMBs), and enterprises align their cybersecurity talent by functional roles within their organizations. What you’ll find are striking similarities. These findings – based on the (ISC)2 2020 Cybersecurity Workforce Study – suggest size has little bearing on how organizations structure their cybersecurity operations. Furthermore, study participants by and... Read more →

Using a Crisis Wisely

Upskilling in times of uncertainty and change is a prudent career decision By Tony Vizza, CISSP, CCSP The saying “everything happens for a reason” is often invoked as a message of support during times of hardship or adversity. While it may be difficult to apply to a crisis on the scale and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the resiliency that we as individuals develop during such difficult times can make us stronger and better prepared for whatever comes next. A crisis comes with danger, but it also comes with opportunities. While the tourism, travel and retail sectors have been devastated... Read more →

Employment for Security Analysts to Grow 31% by 2029

Demand for cybersecurity professionals will stay strong through the remainder of the decade, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics. In the 10-year period between 2019 and 2029, employment of information security analysts will grow by 31%, according to the bureau’s Occupational Outlook Handbook. The projected growth rate is more than seven times higher than the national job growth average of 4%, and roughly three times that of the 11% projected growth in IT-related occupations. The reason for the high growth rate for information security analysts is no secret to anyone in the industry. As the bureau notes: “Cyberattacks have... Read more →

Survey: CISSP Is the Most Valuable Security Certification for 2021

The (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification has won top marks from a 90,000-member LinkedIn community of cybersecurity professionals. The group selected the certification as the most valuable from a list of 50 leading cybersecurity industry certifications and courses. The Information Security Careers Network (ISCN) asked the LinkedIn community, which is composed of ISCN members, to rate their top certifications in order to compile a list of the top 10 most desirable certifications for 2021. The list included certifications from other associations and vendors, as well as the (ISC)2 Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP). Why is the CISSP... Read more →

Cybersecurity Workforce Study: Certifications Boost Salaries by an Average of $18,000

Almost two thirds of cybersecurity professionals (63%) currently are pursuing, or planning to pursue, security-related certifications, according to the (ISC)² 2020 Cybersecurity Workforce Study. Certifications deliver multiple benefits, including increased earning power and better career opportunities. The study found that security certifications on average boost salaries by $18,000, from an average of $67,000 to $85,000. That alone is a significant motivator, although cybersecurity professionals typically don’t limit their choice of employment to earning potential alone. They tend to value attributes such as career advancement opportunities and work/life balance as much or more. Of course, certifications are about more than boosting... Read more →

(ISC)² Supports DOE Competition to Train the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Leaders

The cybersecurity workforce gap of 3.1 million cannot be filled overnight; however, working with schools and encouraging younger generations to join the field will help in improving this number. (ISC)² is proud to support efforts that encourage the growth of the industry, including the U.S. Department of Energy’s CyberForce CompetitionTM. Students participating in 2019 CyberForce Competition. The CyberForce Competition is a realistic cyber defense competition providing a hands-on approach to understanding threats, vulnerabilities and consequences. Participants use interactive, scenario-based events where they solve problems using methods, practices, strategies, policies and ethics. Through the CyberForce Competition, the DOE has worked to... Read more →

Security Predictions for 2021 from the (ISC)² Community of Security Professionals (PART 1)

By Diana-Lynn Contesti, CISSP-ISSAP, ISSMP, CSSLP, SSCP, John Martin, CISSP-ISSAP, and Richard Nealon, CISSP-ISSMP, CISSP, SSCP, SCF, CISM, CISA 2020 was a year of change. It changed the way that folks work and how they interact with each other. Wondering what 2021 might look like for information security professionals? This is the first in a series of posts where we will discuss what we believe 2021 may have in store for information security professionals. Some of the issues faced by security professionals in 2021/2022 will include (but are not limited to) the evolving landscape of privacy, and the ongoing necessity... Read more →

Cybersecurity Consultant: Are More CISSPs Embracing the Gig Economy?

The gig economy has grown rapidly in recent years and now includes more than one third of U.S. workers who describe themselves as consultants, freelancers or self-employed. It isn’t surprising then that 31% of organizations say that consultants and contractors are the top source they tap into for cybersecurity talent, according to the (ISC)² 2020 Cybersecurity Workforce Study. In fact, this group is the second-most popular talent source overall, just after new university graduates. The largest number of consultants (40%) work with small and mid-sized businesses (SMB), which could include small sole-proprietary businesses (think a self-employed CISSP starting his or... Read more →

A Recipe for Avoiding Software Failures

Have you ever baked something, only to see it fail due to the lack of a key ingredient? For instance, a cake will not rise if you add baking powder after you realize it was forgotten in the original ingredient list. The same is true for many failed endeavors. The addition of a critical component after the project is completed does little to improve the original plan. In many cases, it introduces unintended complexity that sets off a cascading series of problems. As a security professional, you probably can name a list of software that was released too early, requiring... Read more →

Workforce Study: Reviewing Cybersecurity’s Pandemic Response

In a year that presented so many challenges – a global pandemic, social unrest and an economic downturn – one success is worth noting: When cybersecurity professionals were called upon to secure remote environments in a hurry, they stepped up. As many companies were forced to shift to a work-from-home model because of COVID-19 for most or all employees, cybersecurity teams went to work on securing both these newly created remote environments and existing corporate networks. Data from (ISC)²’s 2020 Cybersecurity Workforce Study shows respondents believe those efforts were largely successful. Even though 30% of cybersecurity professionals had a deadline... Read more →

Study: Certifications Boost Salaries Substantially

While skills shortages remain a major challenge in cybersecurity, those who work in the field have ample opportunities to boost their salaries. And one sure way to get better pay is by earning certifications, according to a new study by training services provider Global Knowledge. “Learning a new skill or earning a certification can result in a raise upwards of $12,000 a year,” according to the Global Knowledge 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report. The figure applies to IT professionals as a whole but is especially relevant to cybersecurity professionals considering that the report says, “cloud computing and cybersecurity certifications... Read more →

#ISC2Congress: Recruiter: COVID Had a Minimal Impact on the Cybersecurity Job Market

The COVID-19 pandemic delivered a serious blow to the global economy, but plenty of job opportunities remain in the cybersecurity field, according to Kris Rides, CEO of cybersecurity staffing company Tiro Security. There were cybersecurity layoffs, Rides said, but in much smaller numbers than in industries such as travel and entertainment, which have taken the brunt of the pandemic’s economic impact. Cybersecurity “is one area where companies couldn’t really afford to lay off people,” Rides said, during a virtual presentation as part of the (ISC)2 2020 Security Congress taking place this week. Kris Rides, CEO of Tiro Security The pandemic’s... Read more →

2020 (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study: Skills Gap Narrows in an Unusual Year

For the first time since (ISC)2 started tracking cybersecurity workforce numbers in 2004, we have seen a decrease in the skills gap, from 4.07 million in 2019 to 3.12 million. According to the 2020 (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, the workforce increased 25% from 2019 to a total of 3.5 million professionals worldwide. The numbers reflect an increase in new entrants to the field – 700,000 of them – but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Another contributing factor is an apparent reduction in demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had significant economic impacts around the world.... Read more →

How Do Security Controls Help Implement a Corporate Security Policy?

A corporate security policy is the cornerstone document of a company’s risk management. Does your business have the appropriate security controls in place to implement the policy, or is the policy a forgotten document in a dusty drawer? Although most companies have established security policies at the strategic level these are not always enforced, because they lack foundational support at the tactical level. The key to solving this is knowledgeable and skilled security practitioners who can take the lead and implement security controls aligned to the policy’s goals. Many security incidents may have been avoided if the proper security controls... Read more →