CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) is an advanced certification designed for IT professionals who focus on information security management. In this post, we’ll discuss what CISM is, the CISM certification process, and the benefits of being CISM-certified.
DEFINITION OF CISM
CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) is “an advanced certification which indicates that an individual possesses the knowledge and experience required to develop and manage an enterprise information security program.” This certification is offered by ISACA, a nonprofit, independent association. CISM is accredited by ANSI under ISO/IEC 17024:2003.
CISM is designed for professionals who focus on information security management, like IT managers, information security analysts, or consultants supporting information security management. A CISM-certified individual is expected to manage the company’s information security, develop policies and practices, and understand the relationship between information security and business objectives.
CISM certification exam
The CISM certification process starts with a 150-question multiple-choice exam. This exam is scored with a 200-800 scaled scoring method; the CISM passing score is 450. The exam covers the 4 CISM domains or content areas:
Information security governance
Information risk management
Information security program development and management
Information security incident management
BENEFITS OF CISM CERTIFICATION
Should you seek CISM certification? Here are some points you can consider:
Higher salary
A CISM certification, like other information security certifications, can give your salary a boost. According to Certification Magazine, 48% of information security professionals who got the CISM certification have received a salary increase within a year. While 68% of those surveyed said their increase is less than 5%, roughly 25% got a 20-25% raise. The rest reported higher figures.
Moreover, out of 12 certifications, the average CISM salary appears to be the highest, at $127,063. CISSP ranks second at $117,030.
More credibility
As employers are having a hard time looking for qualified professionals, having CISM certification is a great way to screen whether a candidate has the expertise and experience. However, note that a CISM certification is not always a guarantee that a candidate for an information security management job would be successful in the long run.
More knowledge
Perhaps the best value CISM certification can provide to CISM holders is that it gives a standard understanding of essential concepts. CISM-certified individuals understand the business of their organizations. They can identify issues and adapt business practices to allow the management of information technologies.
Being CISM-certified shows that you have the skills and background to understand the relationship between an information security program and business objectives. Such a skillset is in high demand, making CISM an excellent choice for a career progression. In the end, choosing whether to pursue CISM certification must be aligned with the person’s long-term career goals.
In this course, we will focus on preparing for the exam itself.
We have prepared one test (+ bonus) that will prepare you to pass the CISM Certification exam and get the badge you want!
All questions are in line with the latest CISM Certification release.
Additionally, you will find an explanation for each question.
BONUS: Free eBook "How to Pass Any Exam in a Week: Tips & Tricks"
