What is CISM?

The CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) is a high-level certification for IT professionals that work in the field of information security. We’ll talk about what CISM is, how to get certified, and what it means to be CISM-certified in this post.

DEFINITION OF CISM

“An advanced certification that confirms that an individual possesses the knowledge and expertise necessary to build and manage an organizational information security programmer,” according to the CISM (Certified Information Security Manager). ISACA, a nonprofit, independent organization, offers this certification. ANSI has granted CISM accreditation under ISO/IEC 17024:2003.

CISM is for professionals who work in the field of information security management, such as IT managers, security analysts, and consultants who assist information security management. A CISM-certified professional is required to oversee the company’s information security, design policies and procedures, and comprehend the link between information security and commercial goals.

CISM VS. CISSP

The CISM is one of the two most popular IT certifications; the other is the CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional). What are the CISM and CISSP’s similarities and differences?

• ISACA offers the CISM, whereas (ISC)2 offers the CISSP. Both organizations are non-profit and independent.
• Both the CISM and the CISSP will validate a candidate’s skills against a set of standards. Both jobs need at least 5 years of expertise in a specialized field. Both require CPE (continuing professional education) credits to maintain certification.
• The focus of CISM is management and strategy. CISSP, on the other hand, concentrates on operations and threat response. This is the most significant distinction between these two qualifications.

HOW TO BECOME A CIMS

Registration, taking the test, and maintaining certification are all phases in the CIMS certification process.

CISM certification exam

The CISM certification procedure begins with a 150-question multiple-choice test. The CISM passing score is 450, and the test is graded on a range of 200 to 800. The test examines the following four CISM domains or topic areas:

• Information security governance
• Information risk management
• Information security program development and management
• Information security incident management

CISM prerequisites

The test is not open to all IT professionals. A candidate for CISM certification must have at least 5 years of experience in information security, with at least 3 years of experience in information security management in three or more of the CISM areas listed above. Furthermore, the experience must have been obtained within the last 10 years before to the application deadline or within the last 5 years after completing the exam.

After completing the test, candidates have five years to apply for CISM certification.

What is the most effective strategy to study for the CISM exam?

Here are some helpful hints for passing the CISM exam:

• Get the most up-to-date ISACA Certification Exam Candidate Guide by downloading and reading it. This page covers all pertinent test information, including registration, deadlines, exam day details, CISM domains, suggestions, and the exam’s duration, languages, and amount of questions.
• Consult the official CISM Exam Resources and the CISM Review Manual for more information. The subject of the exam is covered in the guidebook.
• Take CISM practice exams. Begin by taking ISACA’s free 10-question practice test. Then go to the official CISM Review Questions, Explanations, and Explanations, which has 1,000 questions and extensive answers.
• Make a study schedule. You can prepare on your own, but you should consider attending a CISM training session if at all feasible. ISACA also offers test preparation resources such as CISM study aids and a sponsored CISM exam study community.
• Think like a manager during the exam. Keep in mind that CISM is a management-oriented programed. While technical knowledge is beneficial, always approach the questions from the perspective of a manager.

How do I keep my CIMS certification?

The following are the prerequisites for keeping your CISM certification current. The individual must:

• Maintain a sufficient degree of knowledge and skill in the management of information systems security.
• Every year, complete 20 CPE hours.
• Adhere to the ISACA Professional Ethics Code.

CISM CERTIFICATION BENEFITS

Is it worthwhile to pursue CISM certification? Here are a few things to consider:

Higher salary

A CISM certification, like other information security certifications, may help you advance in your career. According to Certification Magazine, within a year of getting the CISM certification, 48% of information security employees got a wage boost. While 68 percent of those polled stated their rise was less than 5%, around 25% received a raise of 20-25 percent. The remainder of the group had greater numbers.

Furthermore, the average CISM pay looks to be the highest among the 12 certifications, at $127,063. At $117,030, the CISSP comes in second.

More credibility

Because organizations are having a difficult time finding skilled experts, CISM certification is a wonderful method to see if a candidate has the necessary knowledge and experience. A CISM certification, on the other hand, is not necessarily a guarantee that a candidate for an information security management position would be successful in the long term.

More knowledge

The most essential advantage that CISM certification may provide is a shared understanding of critical subjects. Individuals with the CISM certification have a comprehensive grasp of their organizations’ operations. They may spot issues and make changes to the company’s operations to suit IT management.

Being CISM-certified demonstrates that you have the knowledge and experience necessary to grasp the link between an information security programed and business goals. Because such a skill set is in high demand, CISM is a great way to further your career. Finally, whether or not to obtain CISM certification should be based on a person’s long-term employment objectives.