Achieving the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is a sought-after goal for many in the field of cybersecurity. It’s a globally recognized credential that showcases your knowledge, skills, and commitment to the profession. However, for full-time professionals, the challenge lies not only in mastering the vast and comprehensive CISSP curriculum but in finding a way to balance CISSP exam preparation with existing work commitments.
In this post, we will delve into practical strategies that can help you manage your professional responsibilities while effectively preparing for the CISSP exam.
Understanding the CISSP Exam Preparation Challenges Being a Working Professional
The CISSP certification, administered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, or (ISC)², is not an easy feat. It encompasses eight domains – Security and Risk Management, Asset Security, Security Architecture and Engineering, Communication and Network Security, Identity and Access Management, Security Assessment and Testing, Security Operations, and Software Development Security. These domains cover a wide range of topics, each demanding a deep understanding and the ability to apply concepts in real-world scenarios.
This broad spectrum of knowledge requires significant investment in terms of time and effort. Most aspirants spend between 100 to 200 hours studying for the exam, and these numbers can fluctuate depending on your existing familiarity with the topics.
Now, combine this rigorous study schedule with the demands of a full-time job, and the task might seem insurmountable. This is the crux of the challenge – juggling the rigors of work, the demands of CISSP study, and maintaining a semblance of personal life.
However, with the right strategies, this balance is achievable. By understanding the CISSP exam’s breadth, assessing your knowledge gaps, and creating a strategic study plan, you can conquer the content without compromising your job performance.
The Importance of CISSP Study Plan For a Working Professional
One cannot overstate the importance of planning when it comes to balancing CISSP study with a full-time job. With a multitude of responsibilities vying for your attention, a well-structured plan serves as a roadmap guiding your journey to CISSP certification.
Start with an assessment of your current knowledge: Evaluate your understanding of the eight CISSP domains, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and highlight the areas that need extra focus. This self-assessment gives you a realistic picture of where you stand and provides a starting point for your study plan.
Next, use this assessment to create a personalized study schedule. Each individual’s learning style and pace is different, so it’s important to create a plan that aligns with yours. Divide your study hours based on the complexity of the topics and your familiarity with them. Some may prefer tackling the most challenging topics first, while others may find it beneficial to build up from easier to more complex subjects.
Set aside dedicated time each day for studying. This could be early morning before your workday begins, during lunch breaks, or in the evenings. The key is consistency – ensure that your study time is non-negotiable and free from distractions.
Lastly, break down your overall goal – passing the CISSP exam – into smaller, achievable milestones. This could be mastering a particular domain, completing a set of practice questions, or finishing a study resource. Celebrating these small wins can keep you motivated and prevent burnout.
Sample CISSP Exam Study Plan for Working Professionals
Creating a CISSP study plan when you’re a working professional involves balancing your existing work commitments with the considerable study requirements of the CISSP exam. Your CISSP study plan, alongside your job commitments, will be unique to your needs, strengths, and lifestyle. The key to success is consistency and flexibility. If something doesn’t work, modify your plan and keep progressing.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Understand the CISSP Exam Structure and Content
The first step to creating an effective study plan is to understand the structure and content of the CISSP exam. The exam covers eight domains, each with its subtopics. Gain a comprehensive understanding of these topics and the weightage they carry in the exam.
The CISSP exam covers eight domains:
- Security and Risk Management
- Asset Security
- Security Architecture and Engineering
- Communication and Network Security
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Security Assessment and Testing
- Security Operations
- Software Development Security
These 8 CISSP domains encompass a broad range of topics from policy creation and management to encryption algorithms and security testing methods. Familiarize yourself with each domain, understanding their respective weightage in the exam.
2. CISSP Domains Self-Assessment
Perform a self-assessment to identify your strong and weak areas among the eight domains. This will help you decide where you need to focus more during your study.
Assess your existing knowledge in these areas. For instance, if you’re a network security engineer, you may be comfortable with the ‘Communication and Network Security’ domain but may need more work on ‘Identity and Access Management’. This self-assessment helps you prioritize your study time accordingly.
3. Define Your Study Goals
Set clear, specific, and achievable study goals. These goals can be based on the number of hours you aim to study each day, the number of chapters you plan to cover in a week, or a score you aim to achieve in your practice tests.
Having clear goals helps maintain focus and motivation. An example of a study goal could be “I will complete studying and revising the ‘Asset Security’ domain by the end of this month” or “I aim to score above 80% in my practice tests by the fourth week of my study plan.”
4. Develop a Study Schedule
Create a study schedule that suits your professional commitments. Decide when you can study during the day and stick to these study times.
- Can you wake up an hour earlier?
- Can you study during lunch breaks or after work?
Answering these questions will help you identify suitable study times. Craft a study schedule that works with your job timings. For example, if you’re an early riser, dedicate the first hour of the morning to study. If your work involves long commutes, consider audio lessons during this time. The key is to set realistic study hours that fit seamlessly into your existing schedule.
5. Use the Right CISSP Study Materials
Choose the right study materials. The (ISC)² CISSP Study Guide is a must. Apart from that, choose from a variety of study materials like video tutorials, practice tests, flashcards, and discussion forums based on your preference.
Select study materials that cater to your learning style. For visual learners, video tutorials (like those available on Cybrary or LinkedIn Learning) can supplement reading. Practice questions available on platforms like Boson can provide test-like conditions and help you familiarize yourself with the exam structure.
6. Plan for CISSP Practice Tests
Include practice tests in your study plan. These tests help you assess your preparation level and familiarize yourself with the exam format. Try to simulate CISSP exam conditions while taking these tests to reduce anxiety on the actual exam day. Set periodic CISSP practice tests to assess your understanding. For instance, after finishing two domains, take a practice test to gauge your comprehension. Use your score to revisit areas that need improvement.
7. Review and Revise
Allocate ample time for revision in your study plan. Reviewing what you’ve learned helps consolidate the information in your memory. Spaced repetition is a technique where you revisit information at increasing intervals over time to help improve recall. Allot time for revision in your schedule. If you covered ‘Security Architecture and Engineering’ in week 1, revisit key points in week 2, then again in week 4. This spaced repetition ensures the information stays fresh in your memory.
Remember, everyone’s CISSP study plan will be different, reflecting individual strengths, weaknesses, and schedules. The key is to remain flexible and adjust the plan as you progress in your studies. Don’t get discouraged if you stray from the plan; just revise it and keep going. You’re juggling a demanding exam preparation with a full-time job, and that’s no small feat. Celebrate your small wins along the way and keep moving forward.
Which are the top Effective Study Techniques for CISSP Certification Exam?
Once you have a plan in place, the next step is to focus on effective study techniques that maximize your learning outcomes. With limited time available between professional commitments, every minute you devote to CISSP preparation needs to be efficient. Let’s explore some proven techniques:
Active Recall
Traditional study methods often involve passive reading and re-reading of material, which research has shown to be ineffective in long-term retention. Active Recall, on the other hand, involves actively trying to remember information from memory. For instance, after studying a CISSP domain, close your book and attempt to write or explain everything you’ve learned. This process strengthens neural connections, making information retrieval easier when you need it, like during the CISSP examination.
Spaced Repetition
Spaced Repetition is a method where you review information at increasing intervals over time. For example, if you learn a new concept today, you review it after a few days, then a week later, then maybe two weeks after that, and so on. This strategy leverages the psychological spacing effect that enhances memory and recall capacity, ensuring the CISSP material stays fresh in your mind.
The Feynman Technique
Named after the Nobel-prize winning physicist Richard Feynman, this technique entails explaining a concept in your own words as if you were teaching it to someone else. If you find it difficult to explain, it indicates areas you don’t fully understand and need to review. This method solidifies your understanding of complex CISSP concepts, ensuring you don’t just memorize, but truly comprehend the material.
Make the Most of ‘Dead Time’
As busy professionals, we often overlook pockets of time in our day that can be leveraged for studying. This so-called ‘dead time’ – periods spent commuting, waiting for meetings to start, or even during lunch breaks – can be transformed into productive mini study sessions.
Consider listening to CISSP study podcasts or audio lessons during your commute. This not only makes your drive or ride more productive but also allows for immersion in the subject matter without the need for dedicated reading time. Similarly, flashcards or a quick review of your study notes can easily fill waiting periods or breaks between tasks.
There’s also a benefit to this approach beyond merely squeezing in extra study time. Diversifying your study methods and environments – from reading at your desk, listening to a podcast during a commute, to reviewing flashcards in a coffee shop – can enhance cognitive flexibility and recall, given that our brains recall information better when learned in varied settings.
Work-Life-CISSP Study Balance: Managing Your Health
With all this focus on balancing CISSP study with work, it’s crucial not to overlook another significant aspect of this equation – your health. Your physical and mental wellbeing directly impact your ability to learn effectively and perform at your job.
Ensure you’re getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can significantly impair memory, cognition, and job performance. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night. Exercise is equally important. Regular physical activity boosts brain function, improves mood, and reduces stress. Even a short walk or stretch break can make a difference.
Don’t forget your diet. Fuel your body and brain with nutritious food. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugar, which may offer a quick energy boost but often lead to a crash, affecting your ability to concentrate.
Mental health matters too. CISSP preparation can be stressful, and full-time work might add to this stress. Practice mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep-breathing exercises, to manage stress levels. Take regular breaks during study sessions to prevent burnout. The Pomodoro technique – 25 minutes of focused studying followed by a 5-minute break – can be a practical approach to maintaining sustained attention and efficiency.