CISM vs CISSP : Which is better for your Career Growth?

CISM and CISSP are the topmost and high demanding certifications in the cybersecurity domain. Professionals always get confused in CISSP versus CISM which is better to enhance career trajectory and which suits their career aspirations better.

This blog will help you understand the difference between the two and will help you choose the right certification course based on your professional experience, knowledge, and skills and help you enhance your future prospects and earn bigger and better paychecks.

CISM vs CISSP what is the difference

CISM or Certified Information Security Manager is a certification offered by ISACA that validates your skills and knowledge in managing information teams. This course is solely management-based and proves that you have an understanding and knowledge of technical competency and business objectives around data security. CISM is more business-oriented and its focus is on information risk management and also managing, designing issues.

CISSP or Certified Information System Security Professional is a certification course offered by (ISC)2. The CISSP certification proves your expertise in design, implementation, and managing a cybersecurity program. This course is also as credible as CISM. CISSP is more technical orientated and covers a broader aspect of in-depth critical security topics like security &risk management, asset security, and more.

See the image below to understand quickly:

Which is easy: CISM or CISSP?

 “CISM vs CISSP which is easier”?

Both the courses are highly regarded IT security professional certificates. Both courses are neither easy nor difficult. CISSP is based on 8 modules whereas CISM is based on 4 modules and they both require a certain amount of expertise and experience as the modules are also based on personal experience.

CISM vs CISSP Exam Difficulty

The difficulty of the exam differs from the experience and mindset of people. The CISSP is advanced whereas the CISM exam is intermediate. 

CISM vs CISSP Exam Cost

The CISM exam cost for ISACA members is $575 and for non- members it is $760. The CISSP exam cost on the other hand is $699.

CISM Requirements

CISM requirement in terms of experience is a minimum of 5 years of work in information security and cumulative work experience in either of the 8 domains in the CISM.

CISSP Requirements

CISSP requirement in terms of experience is 5 years of experience in information security and with at least 3 years of experience in the information security management experience in 3 or more CISM domains.

Can you take the exam even if you don’t have the required experience?

For both CISM and CISSP you can still take the exam if you don’t have the experience.

For a CISM exam candidate, you can take the exam, and then within 5 years of time span since the certification, you have to fulfill the requirements. This is a widely accepted practice among CISM candidates.

As per the CISSP certification examination, you can clear the examination and then become an associate with (ISC)2. As you work with (ISC)2 to fulfill the work requirements for CISSP.

CISM certification

Once you have qualified for the exam and have fulfilled the requirements and work experience you can apply for the CISM certification. The cost for a CISM certificate is $575 for ISACA members and $760 for non-members.

CISSP certification

For a CISSP certification, you must be able to prove that you have at least 5 years of paid work experience in 3 or more domains. The cost for a CISSP certification is $699.

Certification Maintenance

To maintain the credibility of the certification you need to fulfill the requirements stated for both CISM and CISSP.

CISM

• 40 CPE credits per year
• 120 CPEs over 3 years
• Commitment to adhere to Code of Professional Ethics

CISSP

• Must maintain membership with (ISC)2
• Members have to pay an annual membership fee
• Earn 120CPEs per year

CISM vs CISSP Salary

The average certificate salary of a professional whole holds a CISSP certificate is RS 26.4 lakhs

The average certificate salary of a professional whole holds a CISM certificate is RS 25.5 lakhs.

CISM vs CISSP Job Roles

CISSP has aspects of both managerial and technical which requires dense knowledge of managerial skills and abilities required for job roles like security consultant, security manager, IT director/manager, and more.

CISM certificate targets more experienced information security managers and those responsible for information security management the job roles include security managers, spring information security managers, and more.

In conclusion

Both CISM and CISSP complement each other. Both have their different features, requirements, job roles, and salaries. If you wish to pursue a career in cybersecurity these certificates can be a milestone in your career.

There is although a tie between which is better, some security professionals choose to get both certificates which increases their chance at a higher salary and a higher position.

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