ISC2 CISSP® certification for MSc Cyber Security students
ARU has partnered with leading cybersecurity membership organisation and certification provider ISC2 to support MSc Cyber Security students with gaining access to highly sought-after certifications that global employers recognise such as the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
Established in 1989, ISC2 has over 650,000 members worldwide and are considered to be the largest global membership organisation for the profession. ISC2’s CISSP certification is among the gold standards for IT and cybersecurity professionals, and holding this credential can lead to higher salaries, a competitive advantage in the job market, and knowledge of the latest industry advancements.
Our MSc Cyber Security pathway combines a solid grounding in computer systems with the expertise required for a successful career in the field of cyber security and covers the areas and domains that need to be covered for the exam. Our content aligns with and comprehensively covers the eight domains of the ISC2 CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK®), ensuring relevancy across all disciplines in the field of cybersecurity.
As part of this degree, we have created a process that will prepare you to take the certification exams for ISC2’s CISSP, should you wish to do so.
The CISSP demonstrates to employers that you have the knowledge required to effectively design, engineer and manage the overall security posture of an organisation.
How can you take the exams?
Anglia Ruskin University is an ISC2 Official International Academic Partner. If you wish to take the exams, contact Dr Erika Sanchez-Velazquez at [email protected], who will explain the process and fees – you will need to pay ARU to obtain a digital code to book your exams. Exams are taken at your local Pearson VUE exam centre.
What is CISSP?
The CISSP certification stands for Certified Information Systems Security Professional and is considered to be the gold-standard credential for cybersecurity professionals worldwide. Recent UK Government skills reports state that that CISSP is the most popular single cyber security accreditation in the cyber sector.
Benefits of CISSP certification
As the CISSP certification is among the gold standards for IT and cybersecurity professionals, we have seen that this credential can lead to higher salaries, a competitive advantage in the job market, and knowledge of the latest industry advancements.
Increase your earning potential
Salaries for CISSP-certified professionals vary by job title and location. Average salaries in the UK are around £85k per annum.
CISSP-certified professionals are some of the most well-paid IT professionals in the industry. This is because employers understand the rigorous process required to become a CISSP, and the credential is recognised on a global scale.
Become a more competitive job candidate
Adding CISSP certification to a CV signifies to recruiters and employers that you are among the top candidates in the information security industry.
Most cybersecurity professionals report that their organisations require them to hold a certification. The research suggests that the CISSP credential was the most commonly held certification among cybersecurity professionals.
Build cybersecurity expertise
Part of the CISSP certification process is becoming intimately familiar with all relevant information in the world of cybersecurity, both to pass the exam and to maintain certification.
After earning their certification, CISSPs must accumulate a set number of continuing education credits. Continuing education helps build expertise and ensure that you have current, relevant skills.
Participants in ISC2's workforce study reported that their teams recognise the following benefits of employing cybersecurity professionals with certifications like the CISSP:
- These workers have a deeper knowledge of critical cybersecurity topics.
- Certified workers increase confidence in their teams’ ability to handle security challenges.
- Hiring professionals with cybersecurity certifications ensures current knowledge and practice of information security trends.
- Certification allows organisations to hire high-level workers with demonstrated expertise in cybersecurity.
What is the current demand for cybersecurity professionals?
Between 2020 and 2021, cyberattacks and data breaches increased by 15.1% on average. This spike in cyberattacks among companies of all types highlights both the need for expert cybersecurity professionals and the gap in supply.
Despite the field’s increasing popularity, the ISC2’s workforce study found that 60% of cybersecurity professionals say a shortage of cybersecurity professionals is putting their organisations at risk. ISC2 estimated a cybersecurity workforce gap of 2.7 million in 2021.
One potential reason for this workforce gap is that most cybersecurity job requirements include certifications such as the CISSP. Earning certification involves considerable time and effort, making it tougher to close this workforce gap. Meanwhile, technological advances used by malicious parties continue to outpace the rate at which IT and cybersecurity professionals enter the field and develop expertise necessary to secure data against these attacks.
The demand for CISSPs
CISSP professionals are in high demand across industries due to their advanced knowledge and ability to defend against data breaches and improve security measures.
According to CyberSeek, CISSP certifications see the most demand among all current cybersecurity job openings requiring certification. As of October 2022, more than 137,000 cybersecurity job listings request CISSP certification.