CISSP Certification Renewal Requirements

05-Mar-2020

A Bird’s Eye View Of CISSP Renewal - Here's Everything you Need to Know

In today’s world, technology is contemporaneous with cybercrimes. Crimes like identity stealing, online bank looting, security infringement have flooded the world and are more pervasive today than it was before. Consequently, there is an upsurge for the security systems in order to maintain assured security from innumerous crimes taking place online.

It has become a prime concern for the companies and businesses to safeguard themselves from such breaches and to achieve this there is an ardent need for the Information security departments which in turn has opened away too many opportunities for individuals who prefer to take up the vocation as a cybersecurity professional.

Anyone who desires to build a career as a security consultant, security architect, security system engineer, security manager, IT director or security director must have a CISSP Certification. According to a survey conducted recently, it has been recorded that more than 50 percent of cyber jobs require CISSP certified individuals who can run competent security networks to ensure an end to the violations made by the cyber suspects.

To become CISSP certified, one must have at least 5 years of experience in the security domain recognized by (ISC)2.
After obtaining the minimum experience once must take up the CISSP examination.
Once you have passed the exam, you should validate yourself by an (ISC)2 certified professional. This is mandatory and should be done within 9 months after the date of examination. Otherwise, you need to retake the exam.
The validity of CISSP certification is only 3 years and you need to recertify yourself in order to maintain the standard of the examination as well as of the certification.

How to Renew the CISSP Certification?

To renew your CISSP certification, certain renewal requirements should be met. In order to prevent termination of your certification, you can refer to the details mentioned below :

There are certain prerequisites that one must have or follow to file for a renewal.

One must have the Continuing professional education (CPE) credits.
Payment of Annual maintenance fees (AMFs).
Upholding of the (ISC)2 code of ethics.

The above-mentioned CISSP CPE credits can be obtained by participating in varied CISSP CPE activities divided into Group A and Group B activities.

Group A activities are domain related whereas Group B activities are outside of the domain but in a sense is in association with the members.

What is CISSP AMFs?

CISSP AMFs translates as the Annual Maintenance Fees (AMFs), which a certified candidate needs to give as part of the annual maintenance fees. The candidates are subjected to a sum of $85 for three consecutive years.

In the case of two or more concentrations like ISSAP, ISSEP, ISSMP, a candidate needs to pay $35 per year for each concentration. So the amount thus calculated will be $35+$85 for a year.

What is the Code of Ethics?

All the security professionals recognized and certified by (ISC)2 and the CISSPs must adhere to ‘THE CODE’ formulated by the (ISC)2 in any condition whatsoever may.

The code of ethics consists of the following :

Safeguard society, the greater good, the crucial public faith and confidence along with the infrastructure.
Perform honestly, chivalrously, justly, responsibly and legally.
Provide assiduous and competent service to principles.
Strengthen and preserve the profession.

NOTE: Members who transgress knowingly or unknowingly, from ‘THE CODE’ will be subjected to termination of the certification.

More about the Maintenance Requirement

Along with the CPE CREDITS, an individual must also submit an annual total of the credits which then are added into the sum total of the required credits for 3 years.

One must accumulate a sum of 40 CPE CREDITS in a year and thus a sum of 120 CPE CREDITS gets collected for a 3-year cycle.

The submission of these credits could be done not more than 90 days after the expiration.

Insight into various CISSP CPE ACTIVITIES :

Regular work done as CISSP will not account for earning CPE credits, one must participate or attend training sessions, conferences, seminars and like activities where one can gain knowledge and competence.

The activities are divided into two groups namely, Group A which consists of activities like Security engineering, Communication, and network security, Security Operations, Security and risk management, Asset security, etc.

Then there is another group which is Group B consisting of Team development skills, Accounting courses, Interpersonal communication skills, Management courses, Programming languages, etc.

(ISC)2 provides ample information regarding the Educational courses and seminars so candidates can cross-check with them to earn credits.

How are CPE CREDITS calculated?

The CPE credits earned by an individual is calculated based on the number of hours spent in a seminar, educational activity or any other activity listed above in Group A&B. One hour of attendance is equivalent to 1 credit.

What if I do not qualify for renewal?

In case, you do not match with the requirements then there are two ways through which you can renew your certification.

The first way is through filing an APPEAL to the (ISC)2. You need to formally file an appeal in writing and submit it to the board. The board will deliberate and their decision will be final and abiding. No appeals will be entertained thereafter.

Another way of renewing your certification is to retake the examination. This is like running around the same wheel and you need to re-study and re-appear in the examination to get the certification. Once you come out of this with flying colors, you need to contact the Member Services Department for the reactivation of the certification.

Since the world of cybersecurity is ever-evolving, one must go through the monotonous process of sustaining the certification. Through these measures (ISC)2 remain successful in maintaining the professionalism and the standards of CISSP and it also makes it convenient for the companies to hire cybersecurity professionals.