is the cissp always a must for any starter GRC role?

hi,

wondering what path would be a good starting point for a grc role, i see cissp mentioned all the time but im a
long way off that yet.

Find more posts tagged with

Save $250 on 2025 certification boot camps from Infosec!

Book now with code EOY2025

Button

Comments

JoJoCal19

As far as making it past HR screening filters and competing against others for the positions, I'd consider the CISSP a must, especially without a resume full of accomplishments in the GRC realm. That's just my opinion in trying to obtain a GRC role for a couple of years and then when I added those five magical letters to my resume and LinkedIn profile, the floodgates opened. I just left a nice GRC position with Citi. From a standpoint of being able to do GRC work, I don't think it's necessary that one has the CISSP, but the knowledge gained will give you a good understanding of different areas within security and will only help you in your job.

chickenlicken09

ya sure i know what you mean, how long did it take you to get cissp? also how did you know you would like this area?

aftereffector

I wouldn't say it is *always* a must. But I would say that it is very, very close to a must, just like Security+ for any DoD job or even a bachelor's degree for most $50k+ /year positions. Like JoJoCal said, it's hard to make it past HR without keywords like CISSP.

It took me about 3 months to get CISSP.

JoJoCal19

It took me 4 months of study to get the CISSP on my first try. Others need more time, but for me the CISSP is more management oriented and I do well with that type of stuff (non-technical) and it comes to me naturally so I felt I was absorbing the material pretty well (with the exception of Crypto). My last job was my first pure GRC role, but I knew I had an interest in that area of security from the GRC related duties I've had sprinkled throughout my IT career. The only reason I left my last job was because I felt it "too junior", or too easy for me and I didnt feel challenged. I laid waste to the job in like 3 weeks and was looking to my manager to take on more and more things. I'm trying my hand at a more rounded position where I do some GRC related stuff and some technical stuff.

yeah yeah

All depends on what sector you're trying to find work in. In DoD, CISSP will always be preferred, but you can get by with a Sec+ (IAM-I) or a CAP (IAM-II). CISSP is always a win, as it will fill all 8570 requirements (IAM-III, IAT-III, IASAE-II). Plus, having the CISSP, you won't feel pressured whenever they change the requirements.