Is the CISSP Worth It?
The internet can be a scary place. Every year, billions of dollars are spent worldwide in an effort to prevent cyberattacks. With all the money, attention, and expertise being invested in it, cybersecurity is a serious business. It's also a broad, deep, and complicated business. True mastery of cybersecurity principles includes physical security, information technology, and digital safeguards—all of which are covered in the CISSP.
Companies and businesses that need to remain safe online depend on trained and certified people. The CISSP is one of the certifications companies look for when hiring cybersecurity professionals into positions of authority for their networks.
Earning the CISSP proves much more than being able to design and implement a cybersecurity program, it also means you've committed yourself to being a member of an organization that represents the best in digital security practices and principles. But is it worth the cost and time to earn this cert?
Note: As of April 15, 2024, ISC² refreshed the CISSP exam. This update included changes to domain weighting and a full migration to the Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) format. There have also been updates to the registration and exam scheduling process as of 2025. This article addresses the newest version of CISSP.
What is the ISC2 CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) Cert?
The CISSP is an advanced cybersecurity certification issued and maintained by ISC2. The nonprofit International Information System Security Certification Consortium, or (ISC) ², is a professional organization dedicated to identifying cybersecurity best practices and disseminating them to professionals and businesses worldwide. The CISSP is one of eight certifications that ISC2 offers cybersecurity professionals with some of the industry's best knowledge, skills, and abilities.
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is a certification that demonstrates a cybersecurity professional's ability to design, implement, and manage advanced cybersecurity systems. The CISSP tests many different cybersecurity skills, including the ability to manage security and risk procedures, as well as asset security.
The certification focuses on designing security architectures and providing network security for communication and information networks. Identity and access management is a key part of CISSP, as is assessing security postures and testing for vulnerabilities. Having a CISSP proves competence in managing security operations and software development security.
Earning the CISSP requires a few things: first, you must pass the CISSP Exam. You must also apply for membership to the ISC2 and prove five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the CISSP body of knowledge.
What are the CISSP Exam Objectives?
The ISC² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam is designed to test both the breadth and depth of your cybersecurity knowledge. It’s not a short test—but it is more efficient than it used to be, thanks to its Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) format, which adjusts the difficulty of each question based on your previous answers.
Here’s what you need to know about the format:
Length: Up to 3 hours
Questions: 100 to 150 (a mix of multiple-choice and “advanced innovative items” such as drag-and-drop or hotspot questions)
Passing score: 700 out of 1,000
The exam is structured around eight domains that comprise the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). These domains are updated every few years to reflect changes in the industry, and the most recent refresh slightly adjusted the weighting. Here’s the current breakdown:
Security and Risk Management: 16%
Asset Security: 10%
Security Architecture and Engineering: 13%
Communication and Network Security: 13%
Identity and Access Management (IAM): 13%
Security Assessment and Testing: 12%
Security Operations: 13%
Software Development Security: 10%
These domains cover everything from big-picture governance and compliance to network design, cryptography, and secure software development. The distribution of percentages shows you where ISC² places the most emphasis—with Security and Risk Management at the top, and Software Development Security now slightly reduced.
How Much Does the CISSP Exam Cost?
Earning the CISSP isn’t just about study time, it also requires a financial investment. The registration fee for the exam is USD $749. That covers your exam attempt, but you’ll also need to pay an Annual Maintenance Fee (AMF) once you pass and become certified.
The AMF is currently $135 per year, and you’ll need to keep it up to maintain your certification. The good news is that this fee covers all ISC² certifications you hold, not just the CISSP.
You should also budget for potential extras, such as:
Rescheduling Fees: $50 if you need to move your exam date.
Study Materials or Bootcamps: Costs vary widely depending on how you prepare.
So, realistically, the CISSP costs at least $884 in the first year (exam fee + AMF), with the $135 renewal fee each year after that.
What Experience Do You Need for the CISSP?
The CISSP is not an entry-level certification. ISC² wants to make sure credential holders have real-world experience backing up their knowledge. To earn the certification, you must prove:
Five years of paid, cumulative work experience in at least two of the eight CISSP domains.
Experience must be full-time (minimum 35 hours/week) and can be from multiple jobs.
There are a couple of ways to shave one year off the requirement:
A four-year college degree (or equivalent, like a regional equivalent or advanced degree).
An approved credential from ISC²’s list (e.g., CompTIA Security+).
That means with the right background, you could qualify with four years of experience instead of five.
Don’t have the experience yet? You can still take the exam. If you pass, you’ll become an Associate of ISC². That status proves your knowledge is solid while you finish gaining the required work history. Once you hit the experience benchmark, you can upgrade to full CISSP certification.
Who Should Take the CISSP?
The list of IT professionals who should take the CISSP is long. The CISSP is a broad certification that applies to various disciplines within cybersecurity. Managers of cybersecurity teams will advance their careers just as much as technical experts. Junior security analysts should earn the CISSP, and so should Chief Information Security Officers.
Is CISSP Worth It for Directors of Security or IT Directors/Managers?
The CISSP is worth it for high-level administrators and managers like Security Directors, Directors of IT, or IT Managers. Technical aspects of the exam and certification aside, the CISSP covers important topics for IT and security managerial professionals to know, such as aligning the security function of a cybersecurity strategy with a business strategy, goals, mission, and objectives.
Or maybe you're a manager or director who provides governance oversight. The CISSP is worth it because of its emphasis on understanding the legal and regulatory issues, standards, and requirements pertaining to information security programs holistically. Earning the CISSP demonstrates that you know how to determine and comply with formal requirements and achieve business objectives, which is crucial for IT and security directors and managers.
Want to learn more about IT certification paths? Check out our free IT certification matrix tool.
Is CISSP Worth It for Network Architects or Security Architects?
Yes, the CISSP is worth it for most network architects and security architects. The CISSP can only be earned by security professionals who understand how to plan, implement, and maintain a security strategy. Network and security architects who plan and design security posture from the ground up can use the CISSP to prove familiarity with vulnerabilities and strengths of security architectures, designs, and solution elements.
Security and network architects are responsible for determining the right cryptographic solutions to deploy under various circumstances, and the CISSP is ideal for demonstrating your knowledge in this area. Whether you want to emphasize your ability to identify cryptanalytic attacks or design site and facility security controls, the CISSP is the best way to demonstrate your expertise.
Is CISSP Worth It for a Security Administrator?
Yes, the CISSP is definitely worth it for security administrators who know they want to continue in the career field. Not only that, but because it's an intentionally broad certification that applies to eight different cybersecurity domains, it's perfect for helping guide you to the parts of the job that you like the most and that you're the best at.
Managing identification and authentication of people, devices, and services is a common job responsibility for security administrators early in their career, and earning the CISSP proves a profound understanding of the principles of IAM. Or perhaps you'd like to shift your focus away from technical configurations and emphasize a career in assessing, testing, and validating security strategies. The CISSP is worth it for anyone who wants to conduct security control testing or reporting on test outputs.
Is CISSP Worth It for You?
For most cybersecurity professionals, the answer is yes. The CISSP is still one of the most recognized and respected certifications in the industry, and it signals to employers that you’re not only technically skilled but also capable of aligning security practices with business goals.
The cert’s value comes from a few key factors:
Broad Coverage: With eight domains ranging from governance to software security, the CISSP demonstrates both depth and breadth of knowledge.
Career Impact: CISSP holders often qualify for higher-level roles, such as security architect, IT director, or CISO, and many employers list it as a requirement for senior positions.
Global Recognition: Whether you’re working in the U.S. or abroad, CISSP is known and respected worldwide.
Ongoing Relevance: ISC² updates the exam regularly (most recently in 2024), so it stays aligned with real-world threats and best practices.
Yes, the exam fee and annual maintenance cost can add up, and the prep is demanding. But compared to the career doors it can open — from promotions to higher salaries — the CISSP tends to pay for itself quickly.
Even if you don’t yet meet the full work experience requirement, passing the exam as an Associate of ISC² can still boost your résumé, signaling that you have the knowledge base and are building toward full certification.
Earning the CISSP tells employers that you're a well-rounded security professional who's broadly capable and highly trained. Get started with CBT Nuggets today!
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