How hard is the CISSP compared to the Security+?
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JDMurray Admin Posts: 13,085 AdminI'm not sure what kind of scale I can use to express the difference. Maybe a comparison of an 8th-grade education to a Masters degree.
The CISSP has a much greater degree of difficulty because it requires having a practical understanding of InfoSec concepts and not just the rote memorization of facts. There are also more concepts covered by the CISSP CBK than in the objectives of the Security+ cert. And the pencil-and-paper CISSP exam is a very long and grueling process, while the Security+ exam is pretty much like any other computer-based cert exam that you've taken. -
abefroman Banned Posts: 278I'm not sure what kind of scale I can use to express the difference. Maybe a comparison of an 8th-grade education to a Masters degree.
The CISSP has a much greater degree of difficulty because it requires having a practical understanding of InfoSec concepts and not just the rote memorization of facts. There are also more concepts covered by the CISSP CBK than in the objectives of the Security+ cert. And the pencil-and-paper CISSP exam is a very long and grueling process, while the Security+ exam is pretty much like any other computer-based cert exam that you've taken.
Sounds like at least 3-4 times harder than.
Pencil and paper exam?
Is the test all multiple choice? Are are there other formats of questions too?
TIA -
abefroman Banned Posts: 278Yes, its all multiple choice.
Does anyone know what percent of people pass the CISSP? -
JDMurray Admin Posts: 13,085 AdminDoes anyone know what percent of people pass the CISSP?
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abefroman Banned Posts: 278Many of the testing statistics of the (ISC)2 exams are not officially published, but I have heard speculation that the pass rate may be as high as 66-70%.
That doesn't sound too too bad.
I tried some of the practice questions from the Shon Harris book a lot of them seem rather easy, should I prepare for a lot harder questions on the actual test? -
WilliamK99 Member Posts: 278That doesn't sound too too bad.
I tried some of the practice questions from the Shon Harris book a lot of them seem rather easy, should I prepare for a lot harder questions on the actual test?
As with any Certification exam, I would use more than one source. I use at least 3 or 4 different sources when I study for an exam, and the CISSP is no different.
I have not found a certification study book yet that has the entire exam covered. So it's your best bet to find other sources... -
tpatt100 Member Posts: 2,991 ■■■■■■■■■□The only thing I found hard about the CISSP was staying focused for so many questions.
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UnixGuy Mod Posts: 4,570 ModThe only thing I found hard about the CISSP was staying focused for so many questions.
Can you share with us your experience and background ? It'll be helpful because I want to take CISSP but I lack direct InfoSec experience, I'm wondering if it'll make my studying time very difficult. -
JDMurray Admin Posts: 13,085 Admin... I want to take CISSP but I lack direct InfoSec experience, I'm wondering if it'll make my studying time very difficult.
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UnixGuy Mod Posts: 4,570 ModEvery InfoSec professional has problems studying for the CISSP exam because no InfoSec professional has significant experiences in all ten domains covered by the CISSP CBK. Therefore, having no InfoSec experience at all makes understanding the entire CISSP CBK all the more difficult.
interesting...I hope by next year I can start with this cert -
veritas_libertas Member Posts: 5,746 ■■■■■■■■■■@JDMurray: I thought you had to have InfoSec experience to be able to take the exam?
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kimanyd Banned Posts: 103No, you can take it whenever you want. You'll just be an associate until you meet the eligibility requirements (if you pass, of course).
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JDMurray Admin Posts: 13,085 Adminveritas_libertas wrote: »@JDMurray: I thought you had to have InfoSec experience to be able to take the exam?
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veritas_libertas Member Posts: 5,746 ■■■■■■■■■■So I could take the exam and then later down the line just send in paperwork showing I meet all the requirements?
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JDMurray Admin Posts: 13,085 Adminveritas_libertas wrote: »So I could take the exam and then later down the line just send in paperwork showing I meet all the requirements?
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abefroman Banned Posts: 278Anyone can take the CISSP (or SSCP) exam anytime and as many times as they want. To become fully CISSP-certified you must both pass the exam and have verifiable InfoSec work experience (and have an endorser...and pass the audit...and pay the money...).
If my work is not strictly security do I qualify?
I am responsible for securing about 100 linux servers, as well as setting the companies security policy and procedures, but I do tech support, sys admin stuff and some other things too. (I have been doing this for 8 years) Will I qualify?
Whats the best way to get endorsed if I don't know another CISSP or SSCP?
TIA -
kimanyd Banned Posts: 103They specifically state you need full-time experience in two of the ten domains.
Some members here might be willing to endorse you, or you can apply directly to (ISC)2 if you can't find anyone. -
JDMurray Admin Posts: 13,085 AdminIf my work is not strictly security do I qualify?
I am responsible for securing about 100 linux servers, as well as setting the companies security policy and procedures, but I do tech support, sys admin stuff and some other things too. (I have been doing this for 8 years) Will I qualify?Whats the best way to get endorsed if I don't know another CISSP or SSCP? -
abefroman Banned Posts: 278If its all multiple choice then what is this "pencil and paper" bs?
I think he means like a scantron test, rather than on a computer. -
abefroman Banned Posts: 278They specifically state you need full-time experience in two of the ten domains.
Some members here might be willing to endorse you, or you can apply directly to (ISC)2 if you can't find anyone.
By full time, if they mean 40 hours per week on security stuff, I have that covered I work a good 80-100 hours a week, if I'm lucky.
I should qualify then, correct?
TIA -
JDMurray Admin Posts: 13,085 AdminIf its all multiple choice then what is this "pencil and paper" bs?I think he means like a scantron test, rather than on a computer.
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veritas_libertas Member Posts: 5,746 ■■■■■■■■■■This is very interesting. Associate of the (ISC)2 for CISSP could probably help with getting a job in security I would think. What do you guys think (in particular Dynamik and JDMurray)? I actually may seriously consider doing this after I knock off my B.A.
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abefroman Banned Posts: 278You've never taken a multiple choice using only pencil and paper? Then you're in for a treat!
Yes, and a paper exam booklet too.
A large paper exam booklet from what I've hear -
kimanyd Banned Posts: 103I think even being an associate would help you stand out from the crowd and make you appear knowledgeable in regards to security. Now that I've landed a security-focused gig, I'll be knocking this out shortly. Probably early 2010 after I do CCNA:S and CEH later this year.
They give you six years to fulfill the requirements, and a qualifying cert or degree will knock your required experience time down to four years. Therefore, you'll have two years from the time you pass to get a full-time security position. -
JDMurray Admin Posts: 13,085 AdminProbably early 2010 after I do CCNA:S and CEH later this year.
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kimanyd Banned Posts: 103I'm going to try to shoot for ICND2 by the end of Sept, and CCNA:S by the end of Oct. We'll see how that goes with the move and the new job though.
I'd definitely do the CEH first; the OSCP sounds insane. I'm a bit intimidated TBH. -
JDMurray Admin Posts: 13,085 AdminThe program I'm on at work wants us all to do the 30-day OSCP course. It'll be a group of us studying together with our BT3/4 laptops and attacking Offensive Security's servers. I've started looking at the tutorial videos on the Web site and it doesn't too scary, but I've got a few "pros" around me to lean on.
Good luck on the CCNA & Security. I'm hoping to do the CCENT myself in November. -
kimanyd Banned Posts: 103Awesome! When are you starting that?
I might do CEH in Nov (am really close to testing as it stands), and maybe the OSCP will be a Christmas present to myself.
I guess this is what makes me a little nervous: http://www.techexams.net/forums/ec-council-ceh-chfi/35603-c-eh-v6-security-experts-monkeys-tool-exposure.html#post252742
It seemed pretty intense for him, and it seems like he knew his stuff pretty well before taking it on. -
JDMurray Admin Posts: 13,085 AdminNot before mid-October. Too many tight work deadlines before then. I'd prefer taking the 60-day course to have more time to learn new things and to practice for the OSCP exam. Right now the only thing I have the mental stamina to do for 18-hours straight is MMOs and TF2.
Oh--sorry all for hijacking this thread.