The world of Information Technology is one that is perpetually changing. Such a market dynamic means that the field can never be saturated. There will always be new innovations and new fields to specialize in and new skills to learn. This diversity and room for innovation are what makes the world of IT so exciting, both for producers and consumers.
The IT Job Market:
Realizing that these diverse features of the world of IT and the knack for innovation make IT a very flexible field, a generation of young adults have taken a liking to the field. They have come to believe that the field of IT is not only a great choice of occupation now, but will keep getting better and better with time. This belief is not baseless; reports suggest that jobs in the information technology sector will be growing at a rate of around 20% in the years up to 2020, with the field of Information Security Analysis growing at approximately 28%.
This realization has then further resulted in a surge in the availability of institutes that offer formal education in these fields. However, the great flexibility in the market also means that employers do not look solely for a degree in the craft, but “willingness to learn†is a significant factor in scoring jobs. However, the difference in pay and the considerable difference in the skill of an individual with a degree and one without it makes it necessary to get a formal education.
People without a degree are often seen looking for some freelance work to fund their education in IT. This pay may be mediocre but is enough to pay some expenses for the student. As soon as that very student earns a degree in his/her field, the jobs begin lining up given that the student knows the craft.
IT Education:
With several renowned institutions now introducing new programs to teach students the various arts in the Information Technology Spectrum. You may decide to get a degree in software development or computer science or programming or IT, the options are countless. When it comes to some of the best types of formal education that you can achieve as a student, you must never disregard the certifications that carry immense value and open up new options once you have them under your belt.
CISSP:
One such certification is the CISSP certification. CISSP stands for Certified Information System Security Professional. The CISSP certification is considered to be of immense value and is extremely difficult to pass. At present, only around 123000 people hold the certification. You can assess the value that the CISSP Certification holds by looking at the fact that to get the certification, you need at least five years of experience of direct security work. Of course, this whole journey becomes easy with a CISSP certification training, which helps you clear your certification exam with considerable ease, although this isn’t absolutely necessary.
If you do manage to get the certification, you should know that statistics say that there is about a 25% difference in the pay of an IT professional that holds the CISSP certification, and one that does not. Moreover, the worldwide credit that the accreditation holds through the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2 makes it worth the effort to get the degree only for the skills that the accreditation will grant you. If you feel that you have already gained a degree in IT and have no need to go through all the hassle of certification, you should know that a full-fledged 4-year degree program or masters will grant you a year’s exemption.
How To Succeed at CISSP?
Given the complexity of the exam, you must realize the need to take the review seriously. So, to help you succeed, here are a few tips to keep you going:
1. Research:
Before you do anything actually to tackle the exam, you need to know the exam. This will include finding out the syllabus, the outline, the exam pattern, and any other significant bit of information without which your preparation will be incomplete. Once you have found out everything there is to find out about the Certification, you will have a reasonably good idea about the effort you need to put in and where you need to start.
2. Plan:
Once you know what the exam comprises, you should start planning. Your plan will include everything from your exam dates to your previous information. You need to set a plan to study all there is to study in what duration and on what time. This will help you understand the various huge details that you can manage efficiently if you plan carefully.
3. Training:
If, after preparing everything, you feel that you cannot manage to study on your own you should not hesitate at all to join any CISSP Certification Training. These pieces of training are relatively easy to find because the complexity of the certification makes it very difficult for people to handle the entire curriculum on their own. These pieces of training will give you a great idea about what to study and essential tips and tricks to study it (not to forget the various notes).
4. Practice Tests:
Unless you have lots and lots of practice, you cannot pass the CISSP exam. The exam includes a considerable number (250) of very challenging questions that need to be answered in 6 hours. This is not only mentally draining, but will also tire you out physically. Therefore, if the first time that you attempt to sit and solve the CISSP exam is in the examination hall, you can wave the CISSP certification goodbye. It is not that easy.
5. Exam Day:
On the exam day, you need to make sure that you keep yourself hydrated and calm. The more you panic, the more you are likely to forget all that you have studied. Just make sure that you have a clear head and do not get overwhelmed even before the exam starts. Remember to prepare for your exam an entire day in advance so as to not leave anything to the last minute.
There you have it, the ideal guide to help you get certified in CISSP. If there is something we’ve left out, do let us know in the comment section below.
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