topic Re: Need suggestions to choose certification in Welcome

Need suggestions to choose certification

Parameswar — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 07:09:15 GMT

HI All im looking to take a certification from ISC2 currently im working as SOC analyst having 6 yr of experience is it good to go CISSP directly before completing any certification ?

Any thoughts may i need to complete any other certification before taking step to Jump in CISSP

Re: Need suggestions to choose certification

nkeaton — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 10:01:15 GMT

@Parameswar I would definitely not suggest the CISSP as a first certification. I would recommend starting with the CC. Now it is no cost for most on the self-study training and exam voucher. The CC is the general concepts that need for the CISSP (no analytical questions). I definitely believe that it relieves some of the stress of knowing what to expect of taking an ISC2 exam before the “beast”. The AMF (Annual Maintenance Fee) is $50 which is much less that any of the other exams. Also small victories are good. With what your current job is, you might consider the SSCP next as will answer from that perspective. It is $249 which is a deal compared to many other certifications. That will help you to also understand the endorsement process. The AMF goes up to $135 but will never go higher when earn the CISSP. For the CISSP you will definitely want to go through the exam objectives and note your experience to make sure that you have a minimum of 5 years experience in at least 2 domains. The SSCP or a Bachelors will waive a year of that. I know that said have more years, but aligning it with the exam objectives (ISC2 calls it an exam outline) makes you sure that it is the “right” experience and can use that to complete your endorsement after passing the exam. Feel free to ask questions. I do this for our cybersecurity workforce as part of my job. Best wishes.

Re: Need suggestions to choose certification

akkem — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 13:42:20 GMT

If you are in 8 domains, you should give it a try. I passed on my first attempt with two months of preparation. Along with the CISSP study guide, you can watch YouTube videos to help you think like a manager rather than a technical person.

Re: Need suggestions to choose certification

dcontesti — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 15:59:27 GMT

You should look at the certs and determine which best suits your role and where you want to be in the long run.

Are you specialising in things like the Cloud or Risk or even security of Software Development? Consider CCSP or CGRC or even the CSSLP)

Does you job require any of those skills? same as above.

Where do you want your career to go? Do you want to be a policy maker, if so do the CISSP.

At one point, ISC2 had a career path model (sorry can't find it, running out of time running late for flight).

If you want to test the waters to see what the exams are like you go for a lesser cert but then you might be wasting your time.

Another thing to consider do you work for the government (US) or are you a contractor? If so, go for certs that are approved (DoD8140)

To help you decide, check out https://www.isc2.org/certifications#Specialized

This site has three questions that might also help you decide.

Regards

If you already have the six years experience, I would go