How to Decide Between a CISM and CISSP Certification

As cyberpunks constantly find new and scary ways to access and misuse privileged information for illegal or questionable motives, the value of skilled security professionals has certainly increased. Companies are ready to pay the price to hire the best talent, who can adequately protect them from ongoing and upcoming cyber threats. And unfortunately, scarcity of skilled information security professionals is still one of the major challenges faced by organizations of all sizes and industries.

According to (ISC) 2 (International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium), the industry is estimated to have a shortfall of 1.5 million cyber security professionals by 2020. While the on-going skills gap is a stumbling block for many organizations, it is a chance for IT professionals to take advantage of the industry’s multifold demand by staying up-to-date with the latest security trends. Obtaining security certifications can play a key role in this.

Are the Security Certifications Worth It?

Security certifications are a great way to show your proficiency in the field and improve your career advancement opportunities. Employers are desperately looking for certified security professionals. Those with certain types of certifications are more competitive and can earn more than their peers. As the field of information security is wide and varied, there are dozens of certifications available. Two of the most popular security certifications that are recognized across the industry are Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Before coming to which one if right for you, let’s first understand the basic differences between these two highly valued security certifications.

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

CISM Certification is aimed at management and focuses on security strategy and assessing the systems and policies in place. It is geared towards management roles like IT Security Managers and Information Risk Managers, while the role may include program management or information assurance.

According to ISACA, “the CISM is for “the individual who has progressed beyond the practitioner focus, whose emphasis is no longer technical or specialist skills, and who has moved on to the management of an enterprise’s information security program.”

Exam Format: 4 hours/200 questions – requires a score of 450 or more to pass

Pay Scale: $118,348

It is recommended for management-level information security professionals looking to further develop their management skills.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

CISSP Certification is a vendor-neutral certification bodied of the (ISC) 2 and regarded very highly for its usefulness in information security. It is more technically oriented and focuses on the operational side of the information security and threat response.

Considered as the gold standard of security credentials, CISSP professionals are recognized as information security leaders with the knowledge and experience to design, develop, and manage the overall security posture of an organization.

Exam Format: 6 hours/250 questions – requires a minimum of 70% to pass

Pay Scale: $110,603

It is recommended for those with a highly technical mindset looking to explore the technical aspects of security operations and deliver deep into those areas.

Despite the differences, certifications for both CISM and CISSP require 5 years of security-specific experience. Both CISSP & CISM are ANSI Accredited under ISO/IEC 17024. Both are valuable certification in the information security industry, so which one is right for you?

Choosing Between CISM & CISSP Certification

If you want to give a boost to your knowledge and career, pursuing any of these two highly acclaimed security certifications is worth considering. However, professionals can make a choice between the two, depending on their career goals. Based on their background and understanding of the learning objectives and domains, they can decide on which credential is best for them.

Some would find CISSP easier as they might relate better to technology than management, and some may find learning CISM easier. But if you are planning to take both, taking CISSP first ,then followed by CISM makes sense.

After knowing about the basic difference and the value of these security certifications, Johnny wants to pursue CISSP and CISM certification training. He wants to enroll himself in a training program that will give his career a new dimension, and of course, a lucrative pay scale. If you, like Johnny, are thinking about where you can find the best training for such highly valued CISM training courses, we have the answer to your question – QuickStart.

QuickStart – A Smart Move Towards Career Upgrade

QuickStart is a premiere provider of IT technical and developer training that also offers a range of high-demand, globally-recognized security certifications including CISM and CISSP. The QuickStart courses are intended for professionals who want to enhance their security skills and give a boost to their career.

The CISM certification course at QuickStart provides professionals with in-depth knowledge and proficiency to take the CISM, CISSP, and other security certification exams with confidence. It is specially designed for experienced information security managers, aspiring managers, and IT consultants with experience with IS program management.

QuickStart offers a highly personalized learning experience through its Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) online course that help professionals transform their careers and deliver excellence in their organizations. Access to live instructors and CISM experts using a high impact instructional methodology accompanied with hands-on lab experience—QuickStart is the best new age training platform, governed by total customer satisfaction.

QuickStart values your comfort and hence provides you the option to switch between live or on-demand courses. You can opt for a self-paced learning course or live instructor led course. Considering all of us a family, QuickStart happily provides significant discounts on any course that has been updated within 9 months. You can also re-take any QuickStart public course, without being charged anything (based on availability of seats).