I did not pass my CISSP exam today. In my defense, I also did not fail it. I showed up at the testing centre in Hamilton, Ontario fifteen minutes before the scheduled exam; I paid for parking; I knew where I was going so I walked casually and with purpose through the McMaster Innovation Centre building to the rear elevator that would take me to the fourth floor, where I would find Room 411A. Only the building was eerily empty, and when I got to the elevator the call button did not work. A passing maintenance worker told me the building had been evacuated due to (possibly) a blown transformer that was causing unstable power that might be a safety risk. As the CISSP material is very clear on, human lives are of nearly infinite value in loss and risk calculation. It would have been hypocritical folly to say they made the wrong call... and if I did what difference would that make?
Now here's the problem... the staff at the local Pearson Vue must have evacuated the building as they should... but nobody notified Pearson Vue about the closure. Not only would I have had a much easier time rebooking the exam, I also would have received an email an hour before my exam (before I even left the house) telling me not to drive out there and pay for parking.
I do not know if I was going to pass the exam today, but I do know that when I woke up this morning I was at peace with the possibility that I might fail, so whatever the outcome this afternoon, the stress and anxiety that has been weighing me down since scheduling the test would have lifted, and if I failed then I would take a couple of weeks to study in a more relaxed fashion before rescheduling the exam for next month or the following. Not only are the stress and anxiety still there, as there is no indication of when I will be able to reschedule (I have to wait for the team at ISC2 to review the case and then issue a voucher, which might take 3-5 business days) so there is not even an anticipated end date for them now.
This is not anyone's fault... the testing facility had no choice but to evacuate and close for the day, Pearson Vue has policies they must follow with regard to the contract they have with ISC2, and the (very nice and helpful) call centre employee does not have the authority to just rebook my exam, he has to follow the policies and procedures as written. There is nobody at fault... which does not change my level of frustration one bit.
Oh and please don't tell me how great it is that I have at least two extra weeks to study for the exam... thanks, but I was prepared for today and this will throw my entire process off!
Thank you for letting me rant!
Mitch Garvis, CISSP, CCSP, SecurityX, MCT
ミッチ ガーヴィス / מיכאל-דוד גרביס
ISC2 Authorized Instructor
