John Doe, CISSP

I am wondering what everyone's opinion is on using the CISSP title after your name? Is it corny? It is helpful in any way? What kind of message do you think it sends?

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Comments

cyberguypr

Do a search, as this has been discussed before. I think most lean towards not doing it.

da_vato

I did a google search on that a while back and it seemed like it was generally frowned upon.

tjh87

I can't speak specifically to the CISSP part, but I would not do it with any certification. I've seen people in my previous organization do this with Network+, A+, and Security+. In fact, one of the directors in my current job puts MCP behind his name. I can't help but laugh. I wouldn't chuckle if someone put something like CISSP, CCIE, PMP, etc. behind their name, but I just don't think it's necessary to advertise your certifications like that at work. The only place I list my certification is on my resume and on this forum.

JDMurray

If you do display the CISSP as an earned credential, you should do it only in an Information Security context. I put it on my email sig at work, on my LinkedIn page, and here at TE because those are all settings where I am an InfoSec professional. In most other places that I frequent it wouldn't make sense for me to wave around IT certification acronyms.

ivx502

It depends on the situation. If I am sending an email to someone who is NON IT I don't include it in my signature line. When I am sending an email to someone who is in the industry at first they are dismissive, but if I follow up with my certs the signature line something odd changes. Not sure if the CISSP or the other certs I have are the reason.

Khaos1911

I saw a guy on Linkedin with "John Doe, SSCP" after his name. Is that ok? It just caught me off guard, never seen that before.

beads

Khaos1911 wrote: »

I saw a guy on Linkedin with "John Doe, SSCP" after his name. Is that ok? It just caught me off guard, never seen that before.

If its in context - its good to go. Context being a security board or professionally related venue. Kid's soccer league - not so much.

Here's my basic usage: Work email signature - yes, I work in a large security department. Business card - yes, I mainly deal with professional business contacts in a security related form.

Now, if your asking why or how much of this came to being? Too many people putting way too many superfluous acronyms after there name. Some of my personal favorites: MBA, ISO 27001:2005 and anything resembling esq. or Esquire. Really? You own a 2x2 patch of property in England? Much of this feels pompous and unnecessary.

Cheers!

- B Eads

N2IT

I agree with JD on this one. If you are in a certain role that it applies to then I would personally do it. EG Project Manager listing PMP or System Admin listing MCSE it makes sense too me. With that said on LinkedIn and at work I don't list any certifications I just don't feel it would go over well.

redz

beads wrote: »

and anything resembling esq. or Esquire. Really? You own a 2x2 patch of property in England? Much of this feels pompous and unnecessary.

I just went on the most wonderful wiki-wander while researching the current appropriate usage of "Esquire". I learned much from the page: Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Also, professional context. Beadsy and JD are completely correct.

NavyIT

Thanks. I was just wondering because there is about 3 other guys in the new office I work in that have CISSP, but I haven't seen any of them use it yet in their e-mail sig. The only thing I've seen so far is some of the HR people have Jane Doe, PMP. I just don't want to be the only guy using it and then it looks weird.

JoJoCal19

As JD and beads stated, it's situational. At work yes, due to my job and department I work in. Also on LinkedIn, as it helps you appear in targeted searches. In everyday life, no.

joebanny

I agree with JD- work signature, LinkedIn profile- I certainly will do. The LinkedIn is more of advertisement for me though not as a bragging right. I have seen it actually paid off as recruiters have reached out to me about potential jobs because they saw my certs on my profile. Some people include all kinds of bogus titles though - I guess to brag. Ultimately, the individual will have to determine what their purpose is.

DoubleNNs

I think advertising it at work is corny too.

But what do others think about putting it after your name on LinkedIn? Or a business card?

wes allen

I don't add it to my email sig or after my name. Listed on linkedin, here and resume, and that is it. Rather let my work/skills/knowledge speak to my abilities, or lack thereof, I guess. I guess I also don't put as high of a value on it as some people as well.

LionelTeo

My suggestion is just learn to be humble, if you have the skills people will respect you, not for the CISSP word behind. If someone is just looking for the CISSP word behind and not for you. Then what is the difference between you and another CISSP?

For hiring purpose, resume should be indeed included. For other places, you have to decide what is best for yourself.

jvrlopez

Like others said, I've seen it listed after someone's name when it was warranted in the context of the conversation.

Also saw a McAfee business card in my office with a CCIE/CISSP after the name. Pretty sure no one would say that's corny.

I'd only list my certs after my name when it was granted given the circumstances or when I wanted to show a stubborn party that I knew what I was talking about.

beads

It all boils down to how much "self-branding" you feel comfortable with. As a segue I subscribe to a number of Twitter feeds that are 90% self branding than useful information. Much can be said to preference for email signatures and business cards. In context it can be a good thing. If I am handing a business card to a CPA that is auditing my security controls on a semi-annual basis - yeah, its definitely in context. If handing the same business card to copier salesperson - not so much.

You could be really clever and have two sets of business card one with, one without a professional designation out there but adds to managing a couple sets of cards as well. Its simply a comfort level. Then again, I see everyone as both a salesperson (self branding) and as a risk manager (buy a car, rent, mortgage, etc all entail managing risk). So we all have different roles to fulfill at different times in our lives. This being no different, just a different role at different times.

- B Eads

LarryDaMan

It all depends on the environment. It is common in our office to add CISSP to e-mail signatures (PMP, CISA, CISM..etc) as a way to identify ourselves to others outside of our security group. It terms of advertising or "self-branding", the CISSP is so common, I don't think it would be useful in that capacity unless you're looking for a new position.

TechGuy215

Benefits of being a CISSP - YouTube <---- LoLz

RanMic

I list it on my email sig at work, LinkedIn and resume.....that's it. The only other time it would come up would be if we were having a conversation about it. Personally I really couldn’t care less if anyone listed every cert on the planet that they achieved in their sig......it would look like Mexican Generals ribbon bar though...LOL

I see to each their own.