Passed CISSP!!!

jwlazar

I had sat the exam on May 25th after an excruciating one-week bootcamp and six months of intense self-study with Shon Harris' 4th edition guide and a few marathon sessions of CBT nuggets. I felt blindsided by the topics in the actual exam to the point that I was reasonably sure that I hadn't passed. Fortunately, ISC(2) found otherwise and sent me the notification last Monday.

Ironically, I had drilled myself on the security models (Bell-Lapadula, Biba, Clark-Wilson, etc.) but didn't get many questions covering that section. I did get quite a few questions on BCP and Common Criteria, as well as a bunch of questions covering application security and risk management.

The instructor in the bootcamp was phenomenal (he was a contributor to some of the material in the official ISC(2) guide). The tips he had for the exam are what probably made the difference between a pass and fail. The CBT nuggets were also a good complement to the material in the book.

I'm just glad it's all over.

astorrs

Congratulations!

What was the instructors name? I find that kind of information really valuable as the quality of trainers can really vary from one to the next.

dynamik

So do you have the sponsor and experience validation left, or is that all OK'd as well?

Regardless, you have my congratulations! That's a huge accomplishment, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm quite jealous.

shednik

Congrats!!!

JDMurray

Yes, congratulations! I'm hoping to take the CISSP exam later this year myself. I know what you mean about the "six months of intense self-study."

Do you think that you'd have passed without the bootcamp?

ULWiz

Good job on the pass. Whats next for you?

UnixGuy

Congratulations, All the best

Question:

six months intense study.

how many hours per day on average ?

mengo17

jwlazar wrote:

I had sat the exam on May 25th after an excruciating one-week bootcamp and six months of intense self-study with Shon Harris' 4th edition guide and a few marathon sessions of CBT Nuggets. I felt blindsided by the topics in the actual exam to the point that I was reasonably sure that I hadn't passed. Fortunately, ISC(2) found otherwise and sent me the notification last Monday.

Ironically, I had drilled myself on the security models (Bell-Lapadula, Biba, Clark-Wilson, etc.) but didn't get many questions covering that section. I did get quite a few questions on BCP and Common Criteria, as well as a bunch of questions covering application security and risk management.

The instructor in the bootcamp was phenomenal (he was a contributor to some of the material in the official ISC(2) guide). The tips he had for the exam are what probably made the difference between a pass and fail. The CBT Nuggets were also a good complement to the material in the book.

I'm just glad it's all over.

CONGRATS !!!!!!

jwlazar

What was the instructors name? I find that kind of information really valuable as the quality of trainers can really vary from one to the next.

I'll pm you the name; I'm not sure if the trainer would appreciate my discretion in referring him on a public forum. The organizer was TrainingCamp.

So do you have the sponsor and experience validation left, or is that all OK'd as well?

Both, although I have to tailor my resume since I haven't updated it in almost two years.

how many hours per day on average ?

Do you think that you'd have passed without the bootcamp?

On dedicated days, about 4-6. On the bootcamp days, 12+.

The bootcamp definitely helped to refresh my memory and get the juices flowing in terms of terminology and mindset. It wasn't comprehensive, but still enough to give one a good basis of the 10 domains.

Good job on the pass. Whats next for you?

Probably a CCNP module to renew my CCNA which expires next month , then the CEH followed by either the CISA or one of the SANS programs (GIAC or GSEC).

leefdaddy

Awesome! Congrats!

gojericho0

Quite and accomplishment! Congratulations

Slowhand

Congratulations on the pass, sounds like you had quite the gauntlet leading up to it. Good luck with the Cisco exam(s) and the C|EH.

bcairns

Congrats !

ajs1976

congrats