The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) designation refers to the credential offered through the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC). They are a global group that promotes IT security training, education and standards. This certification exam focuses on the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) for IT security professionals. The content covers asset, network, engineering and identity security. It also covers risk, access, operations, communications and software development security.
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Security Technician
Information systems security professionals perform standard duties. They continuously identify, measure and monitor vulnerabilities through hands-on profiling and assessments. They often use internal programs and vendor solutions to handle compliance risks, information security, business continuity and system maintenance. Information systems security professionals recommend policy updates, security controls, technology training, remediation responses and business continuity protocols.
They assist IT leadership with developing risk management plans for new services with key business stakeholders. They enforce standards through analyzing and identifying non-compliant behaviors in employees. They enforce established security procedures, governance processes and compliance methodologies based on decision frameworks and regulatory standards. They find security gaps in order to reduce deficiencies, provide support and improve audit performance. Information systems security professionals must remain current on new industry knowledge and developments.
Security Analysis
Information systems security professionals who are data analysts may create and implement approaches for access, identify, threat and response management. This means that they will plan, test and recommend appropriate remediation measures to ensure access control, management processes and corporate standards are maintained. Information systems security professionals may analyze security architecture and principles in order to ensure that infrastructure meets industry best practices and current organizational needs.
Information systems security professionals who analyze data may conduct independent risk reviews and self-assessments. They may be involved in internal risk assessments with IT staff and external audits with consultative professionals who ensure that appropriate remediation measures are implemented and maintained. Successfully passing audits without any major non-compliances is extremely important because certain companies depend on organizational approval and industry certification.
Security Architecture
Senior information systems security professionals provide thought leadership to influence and improve control strength, security essentials and vulnerability sensitivity. They maintain a deep understanding of business domains and enterprise technologies in order to discover potential gaps, develop solution road maps and guarantee data integrity. Security architects will determine security requirements by evaluating business requirements, researching security standards and conducting vulnerability assessments.
These security architects may perform gap analyses across the company to identify, modify or remove unnecessary complexity and bureaucracy. They may communicate with service vendors and application owners regarding system updates, mitigation strategies, equipment replacements and infrastructure reorganization. Senior information systems security professionals may help executives understand the corporate security ecosystem, which includes cloud, network, end user and architecture elements.
A Certified Information Systems Security Professional(CISSP) may also work as a security engineer, cyber security consultant, technology director, chief information officer and information systems security administrator. Anyone who wants to learn more about this certification should visit the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium’s website.
