Which member benefit do you value the most? The (ISC)² Infosecurity Professional Magazine, (ISC)² Chapters, (ISC)² textbook discounts, (ISC)² Awards Program, (ISC)² Events, webinars, digital badges, or other?
Chapters are a good opportunity to crowdsource opinion and discuss the industry. However, one of the most valuable member benefits is not listed. Being able to prove a breadth of domain knowledge is highly valuable in the job market.
I'm going to sound like a stereotypical millennial but I think the awards are a very valuable benefit that I would like to see expanded. Having certifications like the CISSP allows you to demonstrate that you have the knowledge and experience to be a security professional but it doesn't necessarily say anything about your motivation or ability to see things through. It is wonderful to be able to have that recognition from your peers, so that when you meet new people or apply for new jobs, they can have some sense that you belong in the security community. It would be great if more awards could be created and offered at the local (ISC)2 Chapter levels but have all of the same criteria and quality across the world. This would allow us to recognize talent and achievement locally, which is where 99% of employment and working groups occur.
My answer would be the lengths that ISC2 goes through to maintain the integrity and value of the exams and credentials. All of the other perks are nice, but to me, this is where the most value is provided by ISC2.
Interesting question. Outside of achieving the certifications and the knowledge that is obtained in those pursuits, I wonder the same thing. The certifications are a must and the knowledge in getting to those certifications is well worth the effort. However, as I don't live in an area with a chapter, I perceive limited value. In other InfoSec associations, I find that their articles and supporting documents are much more relevant, easier to find, and more helpful for day to day InfoSec challenges. Outside of the annual $180+ renewal for maintaining the 2 (soon to be 3) certifications, I'm not aware of a value. I'm open however and would love to be proven wrong.
