
My colleague earned the CISSP 10 years ago and he estimates that he has earned about $400,000 more over those 10 years than if he had not earned it. He went from a low level IT position to a director level position four years after earning the certification. By the time he retires, he expects the CISSP will have helped increase his earnings by about one million US dollars or more.
I posted about this topic on a CISSP discussion page. Others wrote about how their lives have changed dramatically and positively by the increase in salary they have attained. One person wrote how he was making $15 an hour a few years before in a low-level IT position. He is now earning close to $110,000 per year, which he credits to attaining the CISSP and the doors it opened for him. He thanks God every pay day, still amazed at how his fortunes have changed.
Another person wrote that immediately after earning the CISSP, a company offered him a position paying $50,000 more per year than he was earning. That's life changing money in one year, not to mention over the course of a year.
There's no guarantee you will earn more money with the CISSP. But if you want to advance in the information technology or information security fields, it's better to have it than not have it. It helps you stand out. In many cases, the certification is a requirement. If someone discourages you from pursuing it, don't let them dissuade you. More than likely, the person feels threatened by a peer trying to advance. This is a normal reaction for a lot of people, particularly those with a fixed mindset. They'll tell you that certifications are a waste of time and only prove you can memorize information and pass exams. They're entitled to their opinion. I don't agree with them. I do know, however, that having the CISSP resulted in a higher salary for me and for colleagues who have it. That makes it very
If you are in the information security field, I highly encourage you to pursue the CISSP. It's the industry standard, required for many U.S. Department of Defense Information Security contracting positions and companies that work with them. For those starting out in the field, the Security+ is a good certification with which to start. Once you have a few years of experience, then pursue the CISSP. The rewards can be personal satisfaction at having achieved it, advancement in your career, and financial security.
Learn more about the CISSP the (ISC)2 website.
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