ISC2 · Professional Certification · Expert
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Crydd Score 91
Demand High
Career Value High
Recognition High
CISSP at a glance
- Provider
- ISC2
- Credential type
- Professional Certification
- Exam required
- Yes
- Category
- Security
- Level
- Expert
- Cost
- $749
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Time to earn
- 4–6 months (after meeting experience requirements)
- Validity
- 3 years (maintained with CPE credits and annual fee)
- Format
- Adaptive exam, 100–150 questions, up to 3 hours
- Prerequisites
- 5 years of paid experience across at least 2 of 8 security domains (1 year waivable)
What is CISSP?
The benchmark certification for security leadership, spanning eight domains from risk management to security architecture. CISSP is the credential most often required for senior security engineering and management roles.
Skills it covers
- Security architecture
- Risk management
- Identity management
- Security operations
Is CISSP worth it? The Crydd Verdict
CS 91Choose it if
You have the required experience and want senior security roles — security architect, manager, CISO track — where CISSP is frequently a hard requirement.
Consider alternatives if
You're earlier in your security career; Security+ and hands-on specialization will serve you better until you meet CISSP's experience bar.
Why we say so
The experience requirement and breadth make it a leadership signal rather than a skills exam — which is precisely why senior listings ask for it by name.
Market demand
Senior security demand remains among the tightest talent markets in tech, and CISSP is the most-cited certification in those listings.
Where CISSP takes you
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Systems Administrator
- Network Engineer
Career roadmaps show where this certification fits in each path. See the roadmaps.
Related certifications
Curated connections from the catalog — each labelled with how it relates to CISSP, so you know why it’s here.
Careers CISSP leads to
The professional paths this certification genuinely serves — browse every relevant credential for each.
A sensible order
Where CISSP sits on the path — build up, then step on.
Build the foundation first
Earlier steps on the same path
