CISSP experience requirement for Systems Admin

caprotesta

Hi all,

I have a CCNA in routing and switching, and a Security+ certification. I'm considering taking the CISSP exam. I have worked as a Systems Admin for a small organization for the past 5.5 years. Because we are a small entity, the IT team is just two people, me and a Network Technician. Between the two of us, we handle all IT for our organization--software, hardware, procurement, budgeting, programming, desktop, networking, and security. While my title doesn't mention specifically mention security, it is a big part of my duties and something I think about daily. I have experience in more than the two required CBK domains, notably Asset Security, Communication and Network Security and Security Operations. Do you think this is sufficient to qualify for the CISSP?

bpenn

If you have been working with at least 2 of the 8 domains for all those 5.5 years (which you say you do) then, yes, you should qualify.

Security and Risk Management (Security, Risk, Compliance,
Law, Regulations, and Business Continuity)

• Confidentiality, integrity, and availability concepts
• Security governance principles
• Compliance
• Legal and regulatory issues
• Professional ethic
• Security policies, standards, procedures and guidelines

Asset Security (Protecting Security of Assets)

• Information and asset classification
• Ownership (e.g. data owners, system owners)
• Protect privacy
• Appropriate retention
• Data security controls
• Handling requirements (e.g. markings, labels, storage)

Security Engineering (Engineering and Management of
Security)

• Engineering processes using secure design principles
• Security models fundamental concepts
• Security evaluation models
• Security capabilities of information systems
• Security architectures, designs, and solution elements vulnerabilities
• Web-based systems vulnerabilities
• Mobile systems vulnerabilities
• Embedded devices and cyber-physical systems vulnerabilities
• Cryptography
• Site and facility design secure principles
• Physical security

Communication and Network Security (Designing and
Protecting Network Security)

• Secure network architecture design (e.g. IP & non-IP protocols,
  segmentation)
• Secure network components
• Secure communication channels
• Network attacks

Identity and Access Management (Controlling Access and
Managing Identity)

• Physical and logical assets control
• Identification and authentication of people and devices
• Identity as a service (e.g. cloud identity)
• Third-party identity services(e.g. on-premise)
• Access control attacks
• Identity and access provisioning lifecycle (e.g. provisioning
  review)

Security Assessment and Testing (Designing, Performing, and
Analyzing Security Testing)

• Assessment and test strategies
• Security process data (e.g. management and operational controls)
• Security control testing
• Test outputs (e.g. automated, manual)
• Security architectures vulnerabilities

Security Operations (Foundational Concepts, Investigations,
Incident Management, and Disaster Recovery)

• Investigations support and requirements
• Logging and monitoring activities
• Provisioning of resources
• Foundational security operations concepts
• Resource protection techniques
• Incident management
• Preventative measures
• Patch and vulnerability management
• Change management processes
• Recovery strategies
• Disaster recovery processes and plans
• Business continuity planning and exercises
• Physical security
• Personnel safety concerns

Software Development Security (Understanding, Applying, and
Enforcing Software Security)

• Security in the software development lifecycle
• Development environment security controls
• Software security effectiveness
• Acquired software security impact

Ask yourself, "Do I have significant responsiblity in these realms for the last 5 years?" If yes, then I say go for it!