topic Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP? in Exam Preparation

What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

Bayshob — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 11:25:14 GMT

What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP? Strategies vary. Which strategy did you use?

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

ClayBoswell — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 14:15:14 GMT

I attended a SANS Bootcamp in 2003 followed by 8 week with a study-buddy.

Another tactic I used was scheduling the exam so I had a hard deadline. If I would have waited until I was "fully ready" I may still be waiting.

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

SDMair — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 14:26:14 GMT

I worked in several roles in the industry to build a broad range of experience, then attended a boot camp with the exam on the final day.
Having actual experience is key, in my opinion.

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

Bayshob — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 14:42:28 GMT

That is a very good strategy. Thank you

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

Bayshob — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 14:43:08 GMT

That's true. Experience counts. Lovely strategy

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

FLee — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 14:54:22 GMT

I found a study partner, a co-worker, and that was key for me. We purchased the same book to study though we each had other books we referred to. We assigned ourselves a set of pages to read during the week and then on the weekend we met to do quizzes together and we looked up and discussed anything we didn't get right. I found a lot of free quizzes on the internet and we used review questions at the end of the books. It was not easy and I committed to almost a year of study like this, but it was why I believe I now am certified!

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

dimante — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 14:55:26 GMT

Had the years of experience. That is a key component in this. Then I got the CISSP Study Guide :

https://books.google.com/books/about/CISSP_ISC_2_Certified_Information_System.html?id=swl0CgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_button#v=onepage&q&f=false

Certain there is a newer one now. Then studied for a month and took the exam 🙂

Good luck!

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

Bayshob — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 14:59:03 GMT

Good strategy. Well done

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

Bayshob — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 15:10:45 GMT

Well done. Good strategy

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

dimante — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 15:13:11 GMT

I had no idea what to expect. I feel that I did spend the right amount of time studying as I finished the 6-hour exam in about 3 hours.

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

ro83 — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 15:15:19 GMT

I have used web courses and official study guides for preparing for the exams. Answering to the example questions is really valuable for me. It is also quit important to find author who is suitable for your learning style. My personal preference is Mike Chapple. And of course do not forget years long experience in the IT industry.

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

Bayshob — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 15:17:12 GMT

Well done. Good strategy

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

alan2308 — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 15:26:04 GMT

I was fortunate in that I have access to Books 24x7 which had a number of great titles available. I selected two books, the official guide and a second who's writing style clicked with me. Always go with the official guide, but have a backup because sometimes a writer just doesn't click with you on a particular topic. You should get a feel for the author thumbing through it at Barns and Noble. I also had access to a great video series on FedVTE through work, though there are plenty of other quality video sets available to buy and free on YouTube. If you want videos, again find a set that clicks with you.

What I did was hammer one domain at a time until I felt confident I mastered it. Read the corresponding chapter from one book, then the videos, then the chapter from the second book. At the end of each reading I would do the practice questions. After all the reading and videos, I went through another book that was just practice questions a couple times just to build up stamina on answering hundreds of questions over several hours. You'll also identify any weaknesses in your knowledge doing this. I also heard a lot of good things about the big question bank on www.cybrary.it, though I didn't personally use that.

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

Tolga — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 15:30:23 GMT

The company I used to work for bought at that time the latest edition of Shon Harris's All-in-One CISSP Exam Guide. The book contains a quiz CD, which I initially used to see how up to date I was on the matter. The quiz application on the CD gives you a neat overview how you performed on certain topics.

After that it was quite easy, I went on to to learn about the things where I hadn't been so good at, and did a brief review of the things where I was performing quite well.

Sadly, in 2014 Shon Harris passed away, and since then her book hasn't been updated and I haven't been really able to suggest a good learning source.

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

ScottB — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 15:50:41 GMT

I used a virtual training environment to review all of the material. I spent quite a bit of time on the cccure.org site using their quiz engine. I also used the Shon Harris book and accompanying CD for more questions. Once I felt good with my comprehension of the material, I attended a boot camp that coincided with my scheduled test. It seemed like overkill at the time but I did pass on my first attempt.

I hope this is helpful.

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

bobwyzguy — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 15:52:21 GMT

It helped that I had many years of cybersecurity experience. I had already passed the Certified Ethical Hacker exam. I read the CISSP CBK. I also read several books on encryption, since that seemed to be a weak spot. Specifically Crypto by Steven Levy, and The Code Book by Simon Singh. A 40 hour boot camp. Plus participation in a CISSP Study Group put on by our local (ISC)2 chapter with the local ISSA chapter and the State of Minnesota IT department (MN-IT). And I had a practice exam that was helpful, but nothing at all like the actual exam.

Took the test, was pretty sure I was failing, but passed it on my first go.

The training I had already for the CEH and the career experience were probably the most important factors that contributed to my success. Can't really beat experience, which is why you need 5 years of experience to complete your certification.

Security+ might be an easier way to get some success in testing before trying the CISSP.

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

Zadfrleus — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 17:00:22 GMT

I worked in communication in the military and later in a civil service position so I had experience before I started working on the CISSP cert. I bought and read Sean Harrison's CISSP All in One book. I also took lots of practice tests on Cccure.com. Passed first try.

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

Jco5059 — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 17:17:54 GMT

So besides reading a lot of the study materials, one thing that helped me was to listen to some of the audio books when I was in the gym or went for a run. I personally tend to tune non important things out when I exercise so that helped me focus on the key learning objectives.

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

Jco5059 — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 17:19:21 GMT

Definitely agree with scheduling and exam as a general best practice. It helps to keep you accountable and focused on studying.

Re: What Strategy did you use to prepare for and eventually pass your CISSP?

procloudadmin — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 17:49:31 GMT

By reading answers on this subject proves that we need to evolve as individuals and as security professionals. We need to train others and find ways to create a new position for junior and apprentices to work shadowing and guided by those who have the expertise and have been on the industry for longer periods of time.

Take the civil engineering as an example, the aspirants need to work for a long period under the sponsorship of a senior engineer and after a few years they get their full title and certification

I salute all the community and send a call for change in organisations worldwide

Bests
Fernando Cabal consultant