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HOW I PASSED THE CISSP AND WENT FROM EARNING 85K TO 140K

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“Perseverance, secret of all triumphs”- Victor Hugo

 

 

You may be thinking, what the heck is the CISSP?

 

First off, it’s an IT certification related to Cyber Security that is the preeminent or widely known cert for IT Security practitioners. It’s administered by The International Information System Security Certification Consortium, or (ISC)².

 

 

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is “the most globally recognized standard of achievement in the industry. And this cybersecurity certification was the first information security credential to meet the strict conditions of ISO/IEC Standard 17024.” Source: ISC2

 

 

 

 

These are mostly the reasons why IT folks like myself aspire to be certified.

 

But more than the pay, job security, and the respect, this certification also ensures participation in a global community of like-minded professionals whose sole purpose is to protect and improve Cybersecurity worldwide.

 

I’ve been in the IT industry now for 18 years now and I was specializing in Information Security as early as 2010, which was back then and still is, one of the hottest fields in IT. Previous to pursuing this cert, I had already passed Microsoft and CompTIA certs to name a few. So as a natural progression, I started down the path of studying and taking the test as early as 2015.

 

 

STUDY TOOLS I USED

 

 

CISSP (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide 7th Edition

This was the primary go-to resource I used as I started my path to certification. It’s concise, not too wordy, had all the updated information (Domains were shrunk to 8 from the previous 10), and also came with access to testing materials online which were life savers and helped set my mindset on what kind of questions might be asked and the manner of the questions being asked.

 

 

 

Eleventh Hour CISSP®, Third Edition: Study Guide 3rd Edition

 

This concise, handy study guide compresses the information from the Sybex book and similar study guides to bite-sized information that are easy to remember. It was specially handy for me as it presented the same information from the Study Guides but in a layman’s perspective, dumbing it down if you will.

 

CCCURE.ORG (Free Practice Test)

 

NOTE: Even though the site says ‘free’, use the paid version where question banks are larger and meatier than the free version.

This test prep site really helped prepare me for the kinds of questions that might be asked, the pace, the tone, and basically familiarizing myself on the breadth and scope of the actual exam.

 

 

CYBRARY.IT/CISSP

 

This FREE (yes it is) resource is by far the most help I’ve gotten in preparing for the exam. Kelly Handerhan really broke down the essential points on all the domains. She simplified, gave relevant analogies, and built confidence in you while you were watching the exam prep video.

 

This essential video course is truly an asset in the preparation for this grueling exam. The fact that it’s free and the quality of the content and discussion, I can’t over promote it enough to aspiring exam takers that I come across with.

 

TECHEXAMS.NET CISSP Forum

 

This forum was my constant companion all throughout my journey. You have folks there that are newbies, seasoned and everything in between. The most value that they will give you is motivation and encouragement. I can’t tell you how the group picked me up on several occasions when I was down after flunking a second time and they’re there, right at it with you.  I always told the guys there how grateful I was and I strongly recommend anyone attempting to take this beast of an exam, to head on over there and making it part of the exam prep journey. I assure you, it will be time well spent and wisdom worth going after.

 

 

RELATED:

 

 

 

EXAM JOURNEY

 

It wasn’t easy, I flunked twice; and each take was $599 a pop. 6 hours of grueling exam time with 250 questions per attempt, requiring a passing grade of 700.

 

The first time I took the exam was on 9/9/15.

 

I prepared by putting in at least 100 hours of study time spread out in two and a half months. I was reading, watching video, listening to the audio version of Cybrary and Shon Harris exam prep audio and youtube videos while in traffic; and also usied the exam prep resources which came with the book as well, along with free ones at McGraw & Hill and the Elsevier sites.

 

I didn’t use the CCCURE.org site yet. I scored 675 which meant I missed by a paltry .025 or 4 questions. I needed to get 700. Big bummer 🙁

 

 

I brushed myself off and went at it again on 11/23/15.

 

After stepping out of the exam center, I immediately rescheduled my test and gave myself another twom months worth of study time.

I re-listened to the Cybrary videos to see if I may have missed key points.  Re read both Sybex and 11th Hour study guides; this time paid the $75 3 month subscription to CCCURE.ORG (Free Practice Test). By going so gave me a different view on the questions as well as tips on pacing while going through the questions, coz in reality, 250 questions in 6 hours translates to about 75 seconds per question, so it’s important to pace yourself to not spazz out.

 

After re-reading the details on the books, I just practiced exam taking, taking the 250 sets of random questions 4 times a week. There’s like a 1500 question bank on the freepracticetest.org site and I made sure the random setting was on to provide different combinations. Finally, after sitting on the exam, I came out failing again, getting a 695, one question away, what???

 

It was so deflating for me 🙁  I wanted to hide under a rock at that point.

 

 

I sat for my third exam try on 2/23/16

 

I took a couple of months to flush my frustration. I didn’t study for a month and a half, just read the techexams.net forum.  I read how folks like me who had enough experience, over prepared and flunked; and a few first timers, newbies who were starting out their IT careers, passing on their first try. Why?????

 

The forum opened my eyes to the struggles and the random way the exam was treating all who attempted it. I poured out my heart to the community and was comforted, at the same time also encouraging those who were in my situation. It’s really is a community, similar to the blogging community, everyone has their own experience, struggles, and triumphs, lots of mentoring and encouraging; really awesome stuff.

 

After taking two months of clearing my head I once again re-engaged the resources but mostly practice tests at this point, since I’ve literally have gotten details in my head, I just had to translate it all in what a manager would do in a situation instead of how to fix it.

 

I was again living and breathing CISSP almost 24/7, sometimes I could hear Shon Harris and Kelly Handerhan’s voice in my sleep which got scary 🙂

 

Then I sat for my third try on 2/23/16, this time I took the afternoon session; relaxed, ready but still nervous, but this time, I FINALLY PASSED!!!!

 

 

MY EXAM TIPS

 

  • Use numerous resources
  • Use exam prep or test simulation questions, it won’t be anything like the exam but you’re practicing endurance, pacing, and stamina.
  • Think like a manager when going through the questions instead of thinking how to fix a given situation.
  • Get at least 8 hours of sleep the day before the exam
  • The day of the exam; relax, stay hydrated, eat, take breaks when taking the exam

 

 

 

SALARY BUMP

 

Before finally passing the CISSP, I made around $85K working for one the major entertainment companies in LA. After working with a few recruiters and advising them of my new found status, I was easily setup for interviews that eventually led me to where I’m at today. Back when I was a contractor, I started out at $70/hr. which translated to around $140K + overtime. Now that I’m full time permanent, I can say that I’m making more than what I was when I was contracting with full benefits and paid time off. It was all worth it.

 

 

 

WRAPPING UP

 

Perseverance is what really did it for me. I couldn’t accept the fact that this exam was going to get the better of me. I settled in, dig my heels, and plowed through the materials, and any other study tools I could get my hands on.

 

It wasn’t really a technical exam, which is why I struggled since all my IT experience was about ‘fixing’ stuff, and this exam ain’t that kind of exam. I had to wrap my head around that the first time I went through it and had to wear the ‘manager’s hat’ while I sat through the test. What would ‘management’ do in these situations, is how you should approach this exam.

 

I’ve been through all the emotional ups and downs and all through it all my wife, my daughter, family and friends were with me every step of the way; I really couldn’t have made it without their love and support.

 

Looking back, this was really one of the defining journeys of my life, I learned so much about myself and others; and in the end, I was a better person for it.

 

I hope I’ve given enough tips and encouragement to you who are in a similar journey.

 

Don’t lose hope, plow through it, persevere !!!

 

It will all be worth it in the end and you’ll hardly remember the low points, just the highs 🙂

 

Have you had a similar situation that you overcame? Are there any other tips you want to share? Please do so by leaving us feedback below or emailing at thedebtfreejourney@gmail.com

 

Thanks for taking time here and until the next post.

 

Peace and Blessings to you All.

2 Responses

  1. Whitney
    | Reply

    Great post! I know that it took 3 tries to past your test, but seeing that you improved each time shows that working hard and not giving up will get you where you are trying to go.

    • thedebtfreejourney@gmail.com
      | Reply

      Hi Whitney – Thanks for the kind words, yeah hardword, perseverance and not giving up is what it takes, it’s what will take in any goal that’s worth achieving, so i just stay grounded and keep on 🙂 appreciate you stopping by, Cheers.

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