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The Certified Information Systems Security Professional, or CISSP, is the gold standard for security certifications. It is a globally acknowledged benchmark for information security professionals. As a result, it isn’t a surprise that getting a CISSP certification requires significant time and effort. The certification has work experience requirements, the exam requires training, studying, and exam prep, and a professional endorsement must be submitted. The CISSP certification is far more than simply passing a certification exam to earn the credential.

What Are the Requirements for CISSP Certification?

There are three main requirements for CISSP certification. The primary one, of course, is passing the certification exam. However, there’s one that has to come before that – work experience. The CISSP isn’t an entry-level credential; rather, it’s one that requires candidates to have at least five years of full-time, paid work experience. The experience has to be in two of the eight CISSP domains covered in the certification exam. Some exceptions exist; for example, internships and part-time work may be accepted toward the requirement, and a college degree may be substituted for a year of experience. Exceptions must be approved by the (ISC)2.

The last requirement is an endorsement. Candidates must obtain an endorsement form and have it completed by someone who is already (ISC)2 certified. The endorsement validates the candidate’s work experience. It must be received within nine months of passing the certification exam for a candidate to become fully certified.

How Long Should Someone Study for the CISSP Exam?

Individuals with a lot of information security experience can draw on the real-world know-how they’ve amassed over the years when answering questions on the CISSP certification exam. However, few individuals will be experienced and well-versed in all eight domains. Just about everyone who takes the exam needs a refresher before the test.

That said, the amount of time candidates put into training courses and studying for the exam varies depending on their experience, preparedness, and study style. It’s recommended that candidates put in most of their free time studying for the exam for a few months before taking it. However, a quick look at (ISC)2 community forums shows that there’s a huge range in the amount of time that individuals who successfully passed the CISSP certification exam put in. Some studied for 150 or more hours in the months leading up to the test, while others studied a few hours a day for a few weeks, and still others studied for a couple of weekends, and they all passed.

How Long Does It Take to Get CISSP Certified?

Many people plan to take five years to obtain their CISSP certification. That provides enough time to meet the work experience requirement. The actual amount of time may be shorter or longer depending on education, experience, study needs, and whether they take a training or exam prep course.

It’s important for candidates to be fully prepared for the CISSP certification exam because if they fail, they have to wait 30 days to retake the test. Once individuals have the required work experience or accepted substitutions, passed the exam, and submitted their endorsement form, it typically takes about four to six weeks to get their official certification.

How To Prepare for CISSP Certification in Washington, DC

Whether someone is an experienced information security professional or one who is relatively new, a training class that includes exam prep is a great way to prepare for the CISSP certification exam. To pass the exam for CISSP certification, candidates must be familiar with the controls and technology that improve an organization's security. In addition, candidates must be proficient in all relevant security areas (from software and asset security to software development to communication network security), have managerial skills as well as technical security skills, and have the desire to design and implement enterprise-level cybersecurity.

If you are in the metropolitan Washington, DC, area and you want to prepare for the official CISSP exam, TrainACE’s Certified Information Security Systems Professional Training and Certification course will provide your team with all the knowledge needed to successfully pass the test. In addition, our course content is covered by certified instructors who are leaders in the IT industry, so you will be learning from the best. At TrainACE, we are dedicated to providing you with high-quality training courses to ensure you have everything you need to earn the certifications required to advance your career.