CISSP vs PMP: Which Certification Is More Relevant to Your Career Path?

This guide explores the differences between CISSP vs PMP certifications, highlighting the key similarities and differences. Discover which certification is right for you, as  IT Exams compare and contrast the requirements, benefits, and career paths for CISSP vs PMP. Get expert insights and make an informed decision on whether to pursue CISSP vs PMP certification.

What Are CISSP and PMP Certification?

CISSP Certification

The CISSP certification (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) is a globally recognized information security certificate. It is bestowed by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, abbreviated as (ISC)2. The certification covers security and risk management, asset security, security architecture, and engineering, communication and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security.

To be eligible for the CISSP certification, candidates must have at least five years of professional experience in two or more of the eight domains, or four years of experience with a qualifying academic degree or certificate.

PMP Certification

The PMP (Project Management Professional) credential is a globally recognized project management credential. It is bestowed by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The certification is meant to validate project managers’ abilities in areas such as project integration management, scope management, time management, cost management, quality management, resource management, communication management, risk management, and procurement management.

To be eligible for the PMP certification, candidates must have at least three years of professional project management experience, with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects, or five years of experience, with 7,500 hours leading and directing projects, plus 35 hours of project management education.

What Are The Similarities Between CISSP vs PMP?

CISSP and PMP are two professional certifications that are quite different in terms of their focus areas and career paths. However, there are some similarities between the two certifications:

• Both certifications are globally recognized: CISSP and PMP are globally recognized certifications that are respected and valued in the IT and project management industries, respectively.
• Both require extensive preparation and training: To earn either CISSP or PMP certification, candidates are required to undergo extensive training and preparation. This includes studying the relevant concepts and passing a rigorous exam.
• Both certifications require ongoing education: To maintain CISSP or PMP certification, individuals must engage in ongoing education and professional development to stay up to date with the latest trends and best practices in their respective fields.
• Both certifications require work experience: To qualify for CISSP or PMP certification, candidates must have a certain amount of work experience in their field. For CISSP, a minimum of five years of full-time work experience in two or more of the CISSP domains is required, while for PMP, candidates must have at least three years of experience leading and directing projects.

CISSP vs PMP Certification: Exam Details

Exam Format

The CISSP test comprises 250 multiple-choice questions and is completed in six hours. Security and risk management, asset security, security architecture, and engineering, communication and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security are all covered in the exam.

The PMP test comprises 200 multiple-choice questions and is completed in four hours. Project integration management, scope management, time management, cost management, quality management, resource management, communication management, risk management, and procurement management are all covered in the test.

Exam Difficulty

The CISSP test is regarded as one of the most challenging in the IT industry. The test covers a wide variety of subjects and necessitates a thorough knowledge of information security principles and best practices. The test has a passing score of 700 out of 1000.

The PMP test is likewise regarded as demanding, albeit not as rigorous as the CISSP exam. The test covers project management principles and best practices, and a solid grasp of project management vocabulary and concepts is required. The exam has a passing score of 61%. To familiarize yourself with the exam difficulty by taking PMP certification practice tests regularly on IT-EXAM, which will increase the chance of success when taking the real test.

Cost

The CISSP test costs $699 for (ISC)2 members and $749 for non-members.

The PMP test costs $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members. Furthermore, both certificates require candidates to pay an annual maintenance fee in order to keep their certification.

Which Certification To Choose – CISSP or PMP?

The decision between CISSP and PMP certification is influenced by your professional objectives and hobbies. If you’re interested in information security and want to pursue a career in it, the CISSP certification is a good place to start. However, if you are interested in project management and want to pursue a career in this industry, PMP certification is the best option for you.

It is vital to note that both credentials are highly regarded in their respective sectors and can provide you with several employment prospects. Before making a selection, it is essential that you explore the employment market and speak with specialists in your selected industry.

Read more > > PMP vs Agile: Understanding The Key Differences

Benefits of CISSP vs PMP Certification

Career Opportunities

The CISSP certification can lead to a variety of job prospects in the field of information security. It is a globally recognized qualification that is held in high regard by employers. Professionals with the CISSP certification can work as security analysts, security consultants, security managers, security architects, or chief information security officers (CISOs).

PMP certification may lead to several employment prospects in project management. It is a globally recognized qualification that is held in high regard by employers. PMP-certified people can operate as project managers, program managers, portfolio managers, and directors of project management offices (PMOs).

Salary

In the sector, CISSP-certified experts are well compensated. According to an (ISC)2 study, the average annual pay of CISSP-certified professionals in the United States is $141,452.

PMP-certified professionals earn a lot of money in the market. According to a PMI survey, the average annual pay of PMP-certified professionals in the United States is $120,000.

Professional Development

Candidates for CISSP certification must have at least five years of professional experience in at least two of the eight domains, or four years of experience with a relevant college degree or certificate. This indicates that CISSP-certified personnel have a thorough grasp of information security principles and best practices, and are prepared to deal with complicated security difficulties.

Candidates for PMP certification must have at least three years of professional project management experience, with 4,500 hours leading and managing projects, or five years of experience, with 7,500 hours leading and directing projects, plus 35 hours of project management study. This indicates that PMP-certified individuals understand project management concepts and best practices well and are well-equipped to manage difficult projects.

Jobs Roles After CISSP vs PMP

Jobs with CISSP

The CISSP certification is ideal for IT security specialists such as IT Security Managers, Security Analysts, and CIOs. The university will teach students to identify new and high-level cybersecurity threats, as well as perform security checks and reduce the risks of cyber-attacks.

The following are the most prominent employment positions for CISSP-certified individuals:

• Chief information security officer: The chief information security officer (CISO) is responsible for the information and data security of an organization.
• Security systems administrator: A security systems administrator oversees all aspects of information security and protects virtual data resources.
• Information assurance analyst: An Information Security Analyst protects computer networks controlled by commercial enterprises, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.
• IT security engineer: A business’s computer network can never be too secure.
• Senior IT security consultant: All security criteria for their organization or client companies are evaluated by security specialists.
• Information security assurance analyst:  Analysts in information assurance are responsible for developing, maintaining, and upgrading cybersecurity policies, user and management education designs, tracking devices, and guidebooks that reinforce the cybersecurity governance and risk control framework.
• Chief information security consultant:  IT security consultants identify weaknesses in software, computer processes, and systems before developing and implementing the most dependable security solutions for a company’s needs.
• Principal cybersecurity manager:  They manage the channels that allow data to enter and exit a company’s data network.
• Senior IT security operations specialist:  They are also in charge of creating a security awareness strategy, enforcing security permits, and managing security equipment such as CCTV cameras.
• Senior information security risk officers (SIROs):  They should understand how any threats to data, especially those related to information security concerns, may harm an organization’s business goals.

Jobs with PMP

A Project Manager is in charge of the complete delivery of the project, from start to finish. He or she is in charge of planning, coordinating, procuring, guiding, and regulating resources in order to achieve certain goals in a project within a given industry or organization.

Project managers are most commonly found in the following industries:

• Telecommunications
• Construction
• Engineering
• Architecture
• Computing.

PMP® certification opens the door to a wide range of employment. Here are some of the careers pursued by PMP® certified professionals:

• Associate Project Manager: It is an entry-level role in which they collaborate with other project managers to manage a project.
  
• Assistant Project Manager: This is another entry-level employment where they will work with experienced project managers to complete tasks and learn the ins and outs of project management.
• Contract Project Manager:  When working as a contract project manager, they will not have the same obligations as a full-time project manager. They are required to apply their expertise to new settings and work effectively with strangers as contract project managers.
• Business Project Manager: This is a corporate role in which they can deal with clients, consult on other business projects, or work with company infrastructure.
  
• Information Technology (IT) Project Manager: This employment gives them the ability to deal with servers, computers, and complete networks, as well as manage and construct computer systems.
  
• Construction Project Manager: They are required to manage construction projects while working as a Project Manager in the construction sector.
  
• Project Coordinator: This entry-level role focuses on lighter activities such as planning and organizing to support the project managers.
  
• Product Manager:  This role is dedicated to a single product, including manufacture, advertising, and price.
• Software Project Manager: This role is similar to that of an IT project manager, however, it focuses on software updates. In this job, they would be responsible for overseeing the development and enhancement of existing and new software.
  

How To Get CISSP And PMP Certifications

CISSP Certification

To obtain CISSP certification, you must first complete the job experience, education, and professional qualifications criteria. Candidates with five years of relevant job experience, or four years if they additionally have a related undergraduate degree or an (ISC)2-approved certificate, are eligible.

If you do not fulfill these prerequisites but want to take the CISSP test nevertheless, you can work toward becoming an Associate of (ISC)2. Associates have passed the test but will not be completely certified until they have completed the required job experience.

1. Pass the Certification Exam

The CISSP certification test, which consists of 125 to 175 questions, takes four hours to complete for each applicant. The (ISC)2 website has a wealth of preparation tools, including mock tests and study materials.

When the time comes, you can register to take the exam online, but the exam will be administered in person at a Pearson VUE testing facility. It should be noted that the exam costs $749.

You must score at least 700/1,000 or better to pass. If you don’t pass the CISSP exam the first time, you’re not alone—many test-takers retake the exam. The CISSP test can be retaken 30 days after your first attempt and up to four times during a 12-month period.

2. Get Endorsed

Before being certified, you must receive an endorsement from an existing certification holder after completing the CISSP exam.

This endorsement verifies that you have the required work experience to acquire CISSP certification. After passing the test, you have nine months to find an endorsement. If you are unable to locate someone, (ISC)2 may act as your endorser.

3. Maintain Certification

(ISC)2 expects its members to keep current on the latest trends and research in cybersecurity, as do many other professional accrediting bodies. To keep your CISSP certification, you must complete at least 120 continuing professional education (CPE) credits every three years. Many members obtain CPEs through participating in courses or conferences, volunteering, or teaching.

PMP Certification

Now that you know the steps to obtain CISSP Certification, but how to get PMP certification? The answer is as below!

1. Meet the eligibility requirements

Before registering for the PMP test, you must ensure that you are eligible to sit for it. Determine a time and become acquainted with the requirements that must be met before you can begin the registration process. To take this exam, you must satisfy the requirements of one of two groups. The first category necessitates:

• A four-year diploma
• 35 hours of project management training
• 4,500 hours of leadership in project management

The second category necessitates:

• A high school diploma, an associate degree, or an equivalent is required.
• 35 hours of project management training
• 7,500 hours of leadership in project management

2. Detail your project management and education experience

Another critical step in obtaining your certification is to outline your professional experience and education prior to taking the exam. It’s critical to write down your employment experience, education, and other relevant facts. This makes it easy to prepare an application, increasing your chances of qualifying for the exam. In your application, provide your contact information, education, and areas of experience.

3. Complete your application

Once you begin, you have 90 days to finish and submit your application, so keep your start date in mind. Save your progress whenever you update your application, and do your best to finish it as soon as possible. This will give you enough time to assess your application and make any required modifications.

4. Wait for approval

After clicking the submit button, you must wait for clearance from the Project Management Institute (PMI). Typically, it takes the organization around five working days to examine and provide comments. They may call you before revealing their final judgment if you missed something or need extra explanation. If one of your professional references is unavailable, they may provide you the opportunity to name another contact person.

5. Schedule your exam

You can pay the exam application cost and schedule your exam after gaining permission. Schedule the exam ahead of time so that you have adequate time to study. If you fail the test on your first attempt, you have two additional chances to get the certification. You may boost your exam results by preparing for it and researching its material.

FAQs

Is it worth Doing a CISSP Certification?

Yes. A CISSP Certification may increase a security analyst’s earnings by up to 25%, give a larger range of work prospects, and provide crucial career incentives.

How Many People Have a CISSP Certification?

CISSP Certifications are now held by just 141,607 persons worldwide.

Is There a Minimum Age Limit for Getting a CISSP Certification?

To qualify for the CISSP Certification, candidates must have five years of full-time job experience in the relevant domains. Qualifications can be obtained by people of any age.

Can People of Any Nationality Get a CISSP Certification?

Yes. It makes no difference where you live in the globe; anybody who meets the criteria and pays the relevant fees can obtain a CISSP Certification. Most security analyst positions in the United States would benefit from applicants speaking English as a first language, however, this isn’t always required. The most crucial thing is to have an extensive understanding of cybersecurity as well as the desire and enthusiasm to achieve it.

Is PMP still in demand?

Yes, the PMP certification is widely sought after across businesses. There is always a demand for trained and skilled project management specialists wherever there are projects. This need will only rise as the globe becomes more connected and industries flourish and expand.

How long does it take to receive a PMP certificate after the exam?

If you pass the PMP test, you will instantly get a celebratory message from the PMI on your email address. You can use the PMP title on your job profiles and CV.

Final Words

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