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Introduction
Since 1994, security practitioners around the world have been pursuing a well-known and highly regarded professional credential: the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification. And since 2001, CISSP For Dummies has been helping security practitioners enhance their security knowledge and earn the coveted CISSP certification.
Today, there are approximately 140,000 CISSPs worldwide. Ironically, some skeptics might argue that the CISSP certification is becoming less relevant because so many people have earned it. But the CISSP certification isn’t less relevant because more people are attaining it; more people are attaining it because it’s more relevant now than ever. Information security is far more important than at any time in the past, with extremely large-scale data security breaches and highly sophisticated cyberattacks becoming all too frequent occurrences in our modern era.
Many excellent and reputable information security training and education programs are available. In addition to technical and industry certifications, many fully accredited postsecondary degree, certificate, and apprenticeship programs are available for information security practitioners. And there certainly are plenty of self-taught, highly skilled people working in the information security field who have a strong understanding of core security concepts, techniques, and technologies. But inevitably, there are also far too many charlatans who are all too willing to overstate their security qualifications, preying on the obliviousness of business and other leaders to pursue a fulfilling career in the information security field (or for other, more-dubious purposes).
The CISSP certification is widely regarded as the professional standard for information security professionals. It enables security professionals to distinguish themselves from others by validating both their knowledge and experience. Likewise, it enables businesses and other organizations to identify qualified information security professionals and verify the knowledge and experience of candidates for critical information security roles in their organizations. Thus, the CISSP certification is more relevant and important than ever before.
About This Book
Some people say that a CISSP candidate requires a breadth of knowledge many miles across but only a few inches deep. To embellish on this statement, we believe that a CISSP candidate is more like the Great Wall of China, with a knowledge base extending over 3,500 miles — with maybe a few holes here and there, stronger in some areas than others, but nonetheless one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
The problem with lots of CISSP preparation materials is defining how high (or deep) the Great Wall is. Some material overwhelms and intimidates CISSP candidates, leading them to believe that the wall is as high as it is long. Other study materials are perilously brief and shallow, giving the unsuspecting candidate a false sense of confidence while attempting to step over the Great Wall, careful not to stub a toe. To help you avoid either misstep, CISSP For Dummies answers the question, “What level of knowledge must a CISSP candidate possess to succeed on the CISSP exam?”
Our goal in this book is simple: to help you prepare for and pass the CISSP examination so that you can join the ranks of respected certified security professionals who dutifully serve and protect organizations and industries around the world. Although we’ve stuffed it chock-full of good information, we don’t expect that this book will be a weighty desktop reference on the shelf of every security professional — although we certainly wouldn’t object.
Also, we don’t intend for this book to be an all-purpose, be-all-and-end-all, one-stop shop that has all the answers to life’s great mysteries. Given the broad base of knowledge required for the CISSP certification, we strongly recommend that you use multiple resources to prepare for the exam and study as much relevant information as your time and resources allow. CISSP For Dummies, 7th Edition, provides the framework and the blueprint for your study effort and sufficient information to help you pass the exam, but by itself, it won’t make you an information security expert. That takes knowledge, skills, and experience!
Finally, as a security professional, earning your CISSP certification is only the beginning. Business and technology, which have associated risks and vulnerabilities, require us, as security professionals, to press forward constantly, consuming vast volumes of knowledge and information in a constant tug-of-war against the bad guys. Earning your CISSP is an outstanding achievement and an essential hallmark in a lifetime of continuous learning.
Foolish Assumptions
It’s been said that most assumptions have outlived their uselessness, but we assume a few things nonetheless! Mainly, we assume the following:
You have at least five years of professional experience in two or more of the eight domains covered on the CISSP exam (corresponding to chapters 3 through 10 of this book). Actually, this is more than an assumption; it’s a requirement for CISSP certification. Even if you don’t have the minimum experience, however, some experience waivers are available for certain certifications and college education (we cover the specifics in Chapter 1), and you can still take the CISSP exam and apply for certification after you meet the experience requirement.
You have general IT experience, perhaps even many years of experience. Passing the CISSP exam requires considerable knowledge of information security and underlying IT technologies and fundamentals such as networks, operating systems, and programming.
You have access to the Internet. Throughout this book, we provide lots of URLs for websites about technologies, standards, laws, tools, security associations, and other certifications that you’ll find helpful as you prepare for the CISSP exam.
You are a “white hat” security professional. By this, we mean that you act lawfully and will have no problem abiding by the (ISC)2 Code of Ethics (which is a requirement for CISSP certification).
Icons Used in This Book
Throughout this book, you occasionally see icons in the left margin that call attention to important information that’s particularly worth noting. You won’t see smiley faces winking at you or any other cute little emoticons, but you’ll definitely want to take note! Here’s what to look for and what to expect.
