Think like a manager

Everyone,
One of the suggestions I see often to help with understanding the exam is to "think like a manager". What that means to me, is to consider cost/benefit, mostly non-technical/specific, and to weigh decision impacts on the rest of the business. Can you give me any more pointers? I'm taking the CISSP exam this saturday.........

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tpatt100

I think you have the right idea. Also safety of your people over rides risks for costs is what I was told

dorawe

Did this help you with the exam? I've been on the technical-side for over 20 years, so changing my mind-set takes alot of effort....

dynamik

Also, consider formalized processes and procedures.

i.e. if you suspect you're under attack or there's a virus outbreak, don't act on impulse, but follow IH/IR procedures.

There are many questions that have multiple correct answers, and you're instructed to choose the best. Make sure that the one you pick best satisfies all aspects of the question.

cabrillo24

dorawe wrote: »

Everyone,
One of the suggestions I see often to help with understanding the exam is to "think like a manager". What that means to me, is to consider cost/benefit, mostly non-technical/specific, and to weigh decision impacts on the rest of the business. Can you give me any more pointers? I'm taking the CISSP exam this saturday.........

I don't like the term "think like a manager" because this can become very subjective....depending who've we've had as managers.

The running theme throughout this exam is IT Governance in a Business environment held accountable to laws and regulation.

When in doubt...

#1 safety
#2 following laws and regulations
#3 best interest of the company

dorawe

Excellent, that's just what I needed to hear.................I also don't like the 'think like a manager' phrase, I'm sure I'd fail because I'd only be concerned with getting coffee and that doughnut with the sprinkles (at a number of my former employer sites)

Also, do the CISSP gods require a live chicken sacrifice??

colemic

Doesn't hurt.

Good luck!

cabrillo24

dorawe wrote: »

Excellent, that's just what I needed to hear.................I also don't like the 'think like a manager' phrase, I'm sure I'd fail because I'd only be concerned with getting coffee and that doughnut with the sprinkles (at a number of my former employer sites)

Also, do the CISSP gods require a live chicken sacrifice??

Where are you taking it on Saturday?

Paul Boz

Dynamik said it best when I was talking to him on the phone after he took the CISSP.

"Say you have a hypothetical question in which the building is literally burning to the ground. Pick the correct answer:

1.) Pull the fire alarm
2.) Evacuate personnel
3.) Shut off utilities
4.) Get management's approval before calling 911"

If you picked 4 you're thinking like a CISSP

dorawe

I am taking it in Norfolk, VA

cabrillo24

Paul Boz wrote: »

Dynamik said it best when I was talking to him on the phone after he took the CISSP.

"Say you have a hypothetical question in which the building is literally burning to the ground. Pick the correct answer:

1.) Pull the fire alarm
2.) Evacuate personnel
3.) Shut off utilities
4.) Get management's approval before calling 911"

If you picked 4 you're thinking like a CISSP

I think this is a bad example. As per readings, safety and humanitarian aid/assistance should always come first as its part of emergency response.

Paul Boz

cabrillo24 wrote: »

I think this is a bad example. As per readings, safety and humanitarian aid/assistance should always come first as its part of emergency response.

No kidding, it's a joke. Your sarcasm detector is broken.

dorawe

I guess, in my case, since I'm getting ready to take the exam for the first time, I lean on everything you guys say for support. Sarcasm is fine, but I honestly was trying to figure out why in the world anyone would choose that answer. Until I take the test saturday, my sarcasm meter is broken as well.

dynamik

The point was you may be presented with answers that seem like perfectly plausible alternatives but may not meet the criteria of the question. I obviously can't relay any specific questions from the exam and made that analogy ridiculously absurd because I thought it was both funny and relevant. I did go into a little more detail here a little while ago.

dorawe

Yeah, I read that post, thanks for putting in all of that information. I agree that it was absurd, and was going to keep my mouth shut until cabrillo24 made his post on this thread. I'll make sure to completely disect the questions and find the given answer that most-completely answers the question. Hopefully the tech in me doesn't override the 'manager'!!

cabrillo24

Paul Boz wrote: »

No kidding, it's a joke. Your sarcasm detector is broken.

The joke would have been more relevant if that was the correct answer. Picking answer #4 is in no way thinking like a CISSP, as that would be a wrong answer, hence why I stated this was a bad example to use. My "sarcasm detector" is not "broken". This site is used by a lot of people who come on here looking for guidance and to elaborate on certain concepts. Things like this can end up causing some confusion.

dorawe

ANYWAY..........thanks to everyone that posted their suggestions, tomorrow is the big day, and I'll get to my reviews now. Wish me luck!

botbill

good luck. I am planning to take it in July.

cabrillo24

dorawe wrote: »

I am taking it in Norfolk, VA

Hope you did well. I sat the exam there as well today. Finished at the 5 hour mark. Proctor was an old co-worker of mine.

dynamik

You guys didn't get together for beers afterwords? You're doing it wrong

Good luck guys!

dorawe

I finished at 5 hours 15 minutes............I didn't realize you were there. All I can say is WOW........
and now the wait begins....

cabrillo24

dorawe wrote: »

I finished at 5 hours 15 minutes............I didn't realize you were there. All I can say is WOW........
and now the wait begins....

Figured you had enough to think about, last thing you needed was the awkwardness of knowing someone in the exam room was from the board. I walked out feeling good about it, so we'll see. Looking to finish up my MCSA in the mean time to keep my mind off these results.

dorawe

I tell you what, I could have done without the kid in the lobby that was throwing a hissy-fit, I was sitting right by the door, so it was a big distraction. Luckily it only lasted a few minutes..........

cabrillo24

dorawe wrote: »

I tell you what, I could have done without the kid in the lobby that was throwing a hissy-fit, I was sitting right by the door, so it was a big distraction. Luckily it only lasted a few minutes..........

I know right! I lost my concentration for a second when Eddie said "I need everyone's attention, and announced how much time was remaining" I was thinking "really?"

dorawe

Was that the first time that you have taken the CISSP exam? It was my first, and after taking the test, I began to wonder if participating in a boot camp would have helped. I studied by myself exclusively, using various books and test exams.

cabrillo24

dorawe wrote: »

Was that the first time that you have taken the CISSP exam? It was my first, and after taking the test, I began to wonder if participating in a boot camp would have helped. I studied by myself exclusively, using various books and test exams.

I took it in 2007, didn't pass, scored a 694, close but I definitely was nowhere prepared as I was this time around (hopefully that translates to success). The first time I think luck played a huge factor in me getting that score.

Don't doubt yourself at this point, will just drive you crazy

aethereos

dorawe wrote: »

I finished at 5 hours 15 minutes............I didn't realize you were there. All I can say is WOW........
and now the wait begins....

A guy next to me finished in less than 3 hours. It took me 4.5 hours, with 3 exam passes and quadruple-checking the bubbles. Afterward I was gasping for air like being underwater a little longer than humanly possible. I don't know if I could sit any longer with a brain freeze like that.

dorawe

Yeah, I drove home in a fog.....felt like a zombie for the rest of the day. I took my kids to Busch Gardens the next day, which really helped clear out the cobwebs.

uajesusfreak99

I passed in December of 2007 in Dallas, TX, but my certification date was not until January 2008 because I had to resubmit my application for full certification. I can confidently say that I had zero idea whether I had passed or failed when I walked out of that exam room. I studied my ( )( ) off for the 4 months leading up to the exam, using the Shon Harris AIO (don't remember what edition), CISSP for Dummies (good for high level, but not enough info) and cccure.org. However, I'm finally looking at moving forward into the ISSAP concentration. In case you guys missed my post elsewhere on the board, the ISC2 Official ISSAP CBK Guide is due out on 7/26/10. Here's the link to pre-order on Amazon:

Amazon.com: Official (ISC)2® Guide to the ISSAP® CBK ((ISC)2 Press) (9781439800935): Harold F.

Anyway, hope you guys passed with flying colors!