topic Re: Officially CISSP now! in Exam Preparation

Officially CISSP now!

MartinB — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 07:56:30 GMT

Offically CISSP now!

I passed the (ISC)² CISSP exam on my first attempt on april 12 2018!
Sooo happy to finally bring this to a succesfull ending.

The exam was what they say it is … HARD … had to answer all 150 questions before i received the end screen and then you walk to the front desk, printer makes the rumbling noise … congratulations!

Experience

Currently i have been in the IT field for 18 years, for which almost 10 years in networking and security.

After taking a bootcamp in 2016 (Citbit Academy) i wasn't sure to be ready for this.
In january 2018 i made myself a promise to pass the 2016 cbk and the deadline of april 14 2018.

Study materials

Allthough i received the official ISC² CBK bible i never used it again. The reading was too hard and it just didn’t feel ok. As a replacement i ordered the following books to help me study:

Sybex CISSP (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide 7th Edition
Eleventh Hour CISSP®, Third Edition: Study Guide 3rd Edition
CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, Seventh Edition 7th Edition
Sunflower 2.0 pdf

The Sybex CISSP Official Study Guide was my main studybook to read. I started off reading it front to back to refresh my memory and use the practice questions to see where i needed extra attention.

The Shon Harris (RIP) helped me to get some deeper info on specific subjects.

The Eleventh Hour is an excellent book read, repeat, repeat and read again cover to cover, along with the sunflower pdf.

CBT

As mentioned above i also used several videos to keep all info fresh:

Pluralsight
CBT Nuggets
Cybrary

When you’re read a complete domain, just watch the videos of Kelly Handerhan from Cybrary. She keeps the content really simple and has a great explanation of the Kerberos ‘fancy fair’. Great learning!

Practice tests

The CISSP is bit different compared to other vendor exams. Sure you need to give the answer, but with the (ISC)² CISSP exam they sometimes give you 4 correct answers and you’ll have to provide the Best answer is the given situation which makes it more challenging. You’ll need to practice to get familiair with this type of questioning.
1.Sybex chapter tests
2.Sybex CISSP Official (ISC)² Practice Tests 1st Edition
3.Boson CISSP ExSim

Last but not least i watched a great Exam tips video on YouTube: Larry Greenblatt CISSP exam tips

Examday

Not too much to say here. Was really nervous for the exam and my hands we’re cold. The exam is in CAT format with at least 100 questions and maximum 150. It took me 2 hours to complete all 150 questions (yes i had them all) to reach my goal.

Examtips

As a CISSP learner you probably know that i can only give tips and no exam questions (NDA).

Just learning won’t get you certified, you have to really understand it.
Think like a manager and don’t try to solve it technically.
Read every question/answer slowly and at least twice.
After picking the right answer, verify your answer.
Keep it calm!

Hopefully it helps you with your study towards the (ISC)² CISSP exam, Good luck!!

My weekend couldn't start better

Re: Officially CISSP now!

Thalpius — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 17:02:39 GMT

Congratulations!

"Although i received the official ISC² CBK bible i never used it again"

I've heard this before. I had some difficulties with the questions on the exam as well. As a non-english native speaker most of the questions didn't make sense to me, let alone answering them.

I think giving credits to Kelly Handerhan is the less you can do. I really liked her video's as well. Good to hear you passed and thanks for posting all this.

Welcome to the club 🙂

Re: Officially CISSP now!

Chuxing — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 17:03:33 GMT

Congrats!

CBK is not well written and very dry, thru its many iterations ...

Re: Officially CISSP now!

Radioteacher — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 13:40:53 GMT

@MartinB Congratulations!

Great write up on your study materials and tips.

My exam list starts with "Keep calm" but I rarely achieve it.

Paul

Re: Officially CISSP now!

Radioteacher — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 19:00:04 GMT

@MartinB,

Just curious, you posted this on 6-2-2018. When does your CPE cycle start? Is it mid-month or 7-1-2018?

Paul

Re: Officially CISSP now!

MartinB — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 05:56:28 GMT

Hi Paul,

had to look that one up !

It looks like at the first of the month, so 7-1-2018

Re: Officially CISSP now!

j_M007 — Wed, 20 Jun 2018 23:08:30 GMT

Congratulations!

I passed (provisionally) last Friday, and I am in the endorsement process. I posted some tips and tricks that helped me, as well; but I concur with what you said. It's not a cake walk, and in no way should it be. It's mean to call on experience and critical-thinking skills. One thing that helped me was using the scratch pad to figure things out.

Re: Officially CISSP now!

PlannerKSH — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 19:10:36 GMT

Congrats to you all who have passed the test.

I passed the test in April, and I also am in the endorsement process. I am concerned that I don't have things from the companies on letterhead, for the most part. I have W-2s and pay stubs that I have redacted, and a couple of emails sent from the company email domains by me. Does anyone have any idea what info is acceptable or not these days?

Thanks!

Re: Officially CISSP now!

azadsarker — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 02:53:56 GMT

hi buddy,

congrat!! you have passed. want to take the exam for CISSP. Collecting materials for 08 domains. also working as a cyber security specialist over Bangladesh. Could you please refer some links to get the exam materials.

Want to know more about you and your working area.

@MartinB wrote:
Offically CISSP now!

I passed the (ISC)² CISSP exam on my first attempt on april 12 2018!
Sooo happy to finally bring this to a succesfull ending.

The exam was what they say it is … HARD … had to answer all 150 questions before i received the end screen and then you walk to the front desk, printer makes the rumbling noise … congratulations!

Experience
Currently i have been in the IT field for 18 years, for which almost 10 years in networking and security.
After taking a bootcamp in 2016 (Citbit Academy) i wasn't sure to be ready for this.
In january 2018 i made myself a promise to pass the 2016 cbk and the deadline of april 14 2018.

Study materials
Allthough i received the official ISC² CBK bible i never used it again. The reading was too hard and it just didn’t feel ok. As a replacement i ordered the following books to help me study:
Sybex CISSP (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide 7th Edition
Eleventh Hour CISSP®, Third Edition: Study Guide 3rd Edition
CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, Seventh Edition 7th Edition
Sunflower 2.0 pdf
The Sybex CISSP Official Study Guide was my main studybook to read. I started off reading it front to back to refresh my memory and use the practice questions to see where i needed extra attention.
The Shon Harris (RIP) helped me to get some deeper info on specific subjects.
The Eleventh Hour is an excellent book read, repeat, repeat and read again cover to cover, along with the sunflower pdf.

CBT
As mentioned above i also used several videos to keep all info fresh:
Pluralsight
CBT Nuggets
Cybrary
When you’re read a complete domain, just watch the videos of Kelly Handerhan from Cybrary. She keeps the content really simple and has a great explanation of the Kerberos ‘fancy fair’. Great learning!

Practice tests
The CISSP is bit different compared to other vendor exams. Sure you need to give the answer, but with the (ISC)² CISSP exam they sometimes give you 4 correct answers and you’ll have to provide the Best answer is the given situation which makes it more challenging. You’ll need to practice to get familiair with this type of questioning.
1.Sybex chapter tests
2.Sybex CISSP Official (ISC)² Practice Tests 1st Edition
3.Boson CISSP ExSim
Last but not least i watched a great Exam tips video on YouTube: Larry Greenblatt CISSP exam tips

Examday
Not too much to say here. Was really nervous for the exam and my hands we’re cold. The exam is in CAT format with at least 100 questions and maximum 150. It took me 2 hours to complete all 150 questions (yes i had them all) to reach my goal.

Examtips
As a CISSP learner you probably know that i can only give tips and no exam questions (NDA).
Just learning won’t get you certified, you have to really understand it.
Think like a manager and don’t try to solve it technically.
Read every question/answer slowly and at least twice.
After picking the right answer, verify your answer.
Keep it calm!
Hopefully it helps you with your study towards the (ISC)² CISSP exam, Good luck!!

My weekend couldn't start better

Re: Officially CISSP now!

fyzaan — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 18:12:32 GMT

Congrats.. and thank you for sharing your experience... i am on way and hopefully will have exam in august.

Re: Officially CISSP now!

roboex1 — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 15:46:49 GMT

Congratulations! Such a great accomplishment!

Re: Officially CISSP now!

Baine — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 21:57:48 GMT

Congratulations and thank you for all the detail on your process and experience.

I am a newby to cyber security certifications, but have 25 years of experience in IT and now interested in getting a CISSP.

However, I'm not clear on the endorsement process. https://www.isc2.org/Endorsement It says I have to know someone already certified or ask the (ISC)² to do the endorsement. I don't know anyone, so what are the requirements the (ISC)² would need?

Re: Officially CISSP now!

amandavanceISC2 — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 13:21:09 GMT

@Baine Congratulations on taking steps to obtain the CISSP! If you do not know a member of (ISC)² in good standing and request (ISC)² to act as your endorser, the application is the same; however, you will be required to provide proof of employment. Proof of employment can be any of the following:

W2's - 1 W2 for each year worked at the company, plus one extra for the year following.
Pay stubs - 3 for each year worked at the company (beginning, middle and end of each year).
Offer/Termination letter combination
Letter on company letterhead confirming your dates of employment

Best Regards,
Amanda

Re: Officially CISSP now!

derekskaggs — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 15:06:53 GMT

Congrats Martin!

Re: Officially CISSP now!

Radioteacher — Fri, 29 Jun 2018 15:23:58 GMT

@MartinB wrote:
Hi Paul,
had to look that one up !
It looks like at the first of the month, so 7-1-2018

Time to get ready for a lifetime of documenting CPE's and paying AMF's.

If you earn a CPE and did not turn it in.....it didn't happen!

Paul

Re: Officially CISSP now!

green20151 — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 05:49:11 GMT

You don't know anyone? Not to fret... can someone in a local chapter help you, or an instructor? Fortunately I knew someone.

Re: Officially CISSP now!

Instructor — Sun, 01 Jul 2018 12:03:05 GMT

Congratulations
Well Done

Re: Officially CISSP now!

lightkun_yagami — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 19:52:10 GMT

Congratulations! I recently passed the exam and had turned in the endorsement application a week ago. I agree with you that this is not an easy test. And I am glad that it is not easy, because I think that is what's keeping the high regard of professionals to this certification.