The Certified Information Security Manager - CISM certification is the primary certification for information security professionals who administer, manage, design, and/or evaluate an organization’s information security.
The management-oriented CISM is an exceptional certification for professionals who are involved in the design, creating, and administering of enterprise information security programs. The CISM certification encourages international practices, and professionals earning the CISM become part of a prime peer network, earning a one-of-a-kind certification.
How can you become a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)?
To become a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), you need to fulfill the below requirements:
Successful completion of the CISM exam.
Adherence to the ISACA Code of Professional Ethics
Consent to adhere to the Continuing Education Policy
Five years of work experience in the field of information security, out of which three years must be as an information security manager, and the work experience must be acquired in three of the four CISM domains.
Apply for CISM certification within five years from the date of primarily passing the exam.
CISM Exam Details
The CISM exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions answerable in 240 minutes. The candidates need to obtain a score of 450/800. The exam includes the 4 CISM domains or content areas:
Information security governance
Information risk management
Information security program development and management
Information security incident management
Prerequisites
Not every IT professional is eligible for the CISM exam. Someone who wants to achieve Certified Information Security Manager certification must hold five years of experience in information security, with a minimum of three years of information security management experience in three or more of the CISM domains referred to above. Furthermore, the experience should be acquired ten years before the application date or five years after cracking the exam.
After passing the ISACA CISM exam, applicants can apply for CISM certification within five years.
How to Prepare for CISM Certification Exam?
With a CISM certification exam, you can take your career from the technical field to management. This ISACA certification fetches credibility to your team and assures the right alignment between the information security program of an organization and the business objectives and targets.
Here are the steps you need to follow to pass the CISM certification exam on the first try:
1. Go Through the ISACA’s Exam Candidate Information Guide
ISACA’s information guide is especially geared towards giving you detailed information about exam policies and taking the exam. You should go over the content of this guide at least three times, as this will make it very explicit about the concepts you require to concentrate on and the others you are already experts in.
2. Obtain the Best Available Study Resources
It is good to take maximum advantage of the appropriate resources. The internet has several resources for CISM exam preparation. Also, the ISACA official website covers resources that help you study for the exam. You can buy the CISM Review Manual, which is complete and straightforward to maneuver. It features important topics like self-assessment questions, an extensive dictionary, and task and knowledge statements. The latest version of the CISM Review Manual comprises case studies and CISM practice tests that help you to obtain a practical outlook of the certification exam format.
3. CISM Practice Test
It is always the fact that practically allows you to acquire expertise in nearly everything. The same goes with this CISM exam prep. Taking CISM practice tests before the actual exam will make you understand what your preparation is up to. These tests boost your confidence by familiarizing you with the exam structure and the CISM certification syllabus topics to be mastered.
4. Devise and Stick to a Study Plan
Chart out a study plan for the CISM exam preparation. You should assign at least three to four months to exam preparation. This plan must involve learning and practice such that you can complete the question within the allotted time limitation and also manage some time to review your answers.
The plan should follow the level of your knowledge concerning the domains covered in the CISM certification syllabus. Because different topics of information security systems are incorporated in the CISM certification exam, you should give a minimum of two to three hours every day to study and practice. When you constantly prepare for the exam, you can create a stronger focus on the CISM syllabus.
5. Enroll in an Online CISM Certification Training Course
This is the most productive step you can take to prepare for the CISM certification exam. Self-study is always an option; it is strongly suggested that you enroll yourself in an online CISM certification training course.
Many online training courses have created content for you and are led by instructors who are normally industry experts and make your perceptions very clear.
They teach you so well that you soak up the content thoroughly and become confident of cracking the exam on the very first try.
Benefits Of CISM Certification
CISM certification has many benefits, such as the Certified Information Security Managers having all the data to be kept secure, which helps reduce illegal data usage. It helps control organizations’ required risk and can’t be avoided. This certification is recognized around the world, which signifies that candidates can get it in any part of the world. The CISM certification salary is very high, and it’s a sought-after certification, and individuals acquire advanced skills and expertise in this field.
A CISM certification in hand can allow you to pursue management roles in information security governance, program development and management, risk management, and incident management. You can apply for any of the following job positions:
IT Security Audit Manager
Technology Risk Manager
Cyber Security Director
Cyber Threat Intelligence Manager
Conclusion
You have now understood the steps to be followed to pass the CISM certification exam. Don’t forget to take care of yourself throughout exam preparation!
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