The Benefits of Online vs In-Person CISSP Training You Need to Know About So You Can Pass Your CISSP Certification Exam
For IT professionals to establish themselves as industry leaders, the CISSP certification is the go-to credential. If you are planning to take the CISSP certification exam, you should ask yourself two important questions.
First of all, you should ask yourself whether CISSP is the best choice for your career. If so, how do you plan to prepare for it and where will you get training from? CISSP certification training can be challenging regardless of how well-versed you are in your field.
The CISSP certification exam will test you in eight different domains. Moreover, (ISC)² CBK Committee regularly updates the CBK (Common Body of Knowledge) to include the latest and pertinent content necessary for practice in the information security field.
Therefore, having an effective training strategy is necessary to conquer this challenging feat.
First of all, you should ask yourself whether CISSP is the best choice for your career. If so, how do you plan to prepare for it and where will you get training from? CISSP certification training can be challenging regardless of how well-versed you are in your field.
The CISSP certification exam will test you in eight different domains. Moreover, (ISC)² CBK Committee regularly updates the CBK (Common Body of Knowledge) to include the latest and pertinent content necessary for practice in the information security field.
Therefore, having an effective training strategy is necessary to conquer this challenging feat.
What Are the Benefits of In-Person and Online CISSP Training?
In-person and online training programs have their benefits and drawbacks. In-person training options for CISSP offer an inclusive environment for candidates that are inclined towards the traditional way of learning.
In-person training gives you the option to interact and have easier access to your instructor. It also helps you to get to know other candidates who are preparing to get CISSP certified. In-person training is the best option for candidates living in locations with technical issues such as internet and power shutdowns. In-person classes offer an uninterrupted mode of learning without any distractions to make your learning more effective.
On the other hand, online training programs offer flexibility and the freedom to learn from anywhere. This is the best option for the majority of the candidates because most of them have demanding careers in the IT field and taking physical classes might be too hectic for them.
Online training also benefits candidates who are applying from locations with no CISSP training institutes. Such programs allow the candidate to have an equal learning opportunity regardless of their circumstances.
In the end, choosing between the two draws down to your preferences and how you can make your learning as effective as possible.
In-person training gives you the option to interact and have easier access to your instructor. It also helps you to get to know other candidates who are preparing to get CISSP certified. In-person training is the best option for candidates living in locations with technical issues such as internet and power shutdowns. In-person classes offer an uninterrupted mode of learning without any distractions to make your learning more effective.
On the other hand, online training programs offer flexibility and the freedom to learn from anywhere. This is the best option for the majority of the candidates because most of them have demanding careers in the IT field and taking physical classes might be too hectic for them.
Online training also benefits candidates who are applying from locations with no CISSP training institutes. Such programs allow the candidate to have an equal learning opportunity regardless of their circumstances.
In the end, choosing between the two draws down to your preferences and how you can make your learning as effective as possible.
What Are the Options Officially Provided By (ISC)²?
(ISC)² officially provides three training options to IT professionals appearing for the CISSP certification exam. These three options are:
Classroom-Based Training
The Online Instructor-Led Training program (ISC)² is another authorized pathway toward certification. It will help you build the knowledge and confidence you need to succeed.
With the online instructor-led training you can combine convenience and flexibility for your busy schedule while having access to an (ISC)² Authorized Instructor, who will provide you with the right guidance. This program is offered in two schedules - 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks or 5 consecutive days.
With the online instructor-led training you can combine convenience and flexibility for your busy schedule while having access to an (ISC)² Authorized Instructor, who will provide you with the right guidance. This program is offered in two schedules - 2 sessions per week for 8 weeks or 5 consecutive days.
Online Self-Paced Training
The last option by (ISC)² is the self-paced online training for individuals who plan on giving the CISSP certification exam but do not have a specific date or time frame for it. This program gives you the freedom to study at your own pace.
In this training program, you will have on-demand access to recorded content from an authorized instructor. It will also have course activities that mimic real-world scenarios and in-demand skills in the field of information systems security. This program has a duration of 180 days so you will have a lot of time to cover the course content.
In this training program, you will have on-demand access to recorded content from an authorized instructor. It will also have course activities that mimic real-world scenarios and in-demand skills in the field of information systems security. This program has a duration of 180 days so you will have a lot of time to cover the course content.
What Other Sources Does (ISC)² Offer?
(ISC)² has a wide range of CISSP examination material that includes guides, textbooks, practice tests, and an Online Study group. In short, there is a training or study resource for almost every professional out there.
Are There Any Unofficial Institutes & Training Programs Offering CISSP Certification Training?
Apart from (ISC)², many unofficial institutes offer effective training programs and help candidates get CISSP certified. These institutes provide CISSP training in both in-person and online modes making them an attractive option for CISSP aspirants.
It is important to keep in mind that you do not need to study for the exam through an official channel. Most candidates take training from unofficial instructors that are well-versed in their domain and pass the exam quite easily. All you have to do is make sure that the training program you are choosing is legitimate in terms of providing value for your time and money.
But how do you choose between these options? And are these programs beneficial for a CISSP aspirant? Let's find out.
It is important to keep in mind that you do not need to study for the exam through an official channel. Most candidates take training from unofficial instructors that are well-versed in their domain and pass the exam quite easily. All you have to do is make sure that the training program you are choosing is legitimate in terms of providing value for your time and money.
But how do you choose between these options? And are these programs beneficial for a CISSP aspirant? Let's find out.
Things To Consider Before Choosing Between In-person Or Online Training Program:
Whether You Want to Self Study or Enroll in a Training Program
The first thing you need to consider is whether you can study the CISSP course content on your own or not. If you are a self-learner who can plan ahead and set achievable study goals, then the self-study approach will be best for you. If you are a self-learner and prefer to prepare for the CISSP exam independently, then downloading a CISSP study guide may be the next step you take on your path to CISSP certification.
Then again, it is important to remember that the CISSP certification exam is no easy feat to master, and self-study might not be reliable for a candidate who struggles with the fundamentals of the 8 domains.
As a professional working in information systems security, you might have in-depth knowledge of a few specific domains but very little knowledge of other domains that will be tested in the CISSP certification exam. The syllabus of the CISSP certification exam is vast and full of complex topics.
Trying to learn and master the 8 domains of the CISSP exam on your own without any expert guidance may lead to a loss of interest during preparation / studies or failing the actual exam.
Therefore, if you lack self-discipline and proper guidance you should opt for a CISSP training program.
Then again, it is important to remember that the CISSP certification exam is no easy feat to master, and self-study might not be reliable for a candidate who struggles with the fundamentals of the 8 domains.
As a professional working in information systems security, you might have in-depth knowledge of a few specific domains but very little knowledge of other domains that will be tested in the CISSP certification exam. The syllabus of the CISSP certification exam is vast and full of complex topics.
Trying to learn and master the 8 domains of the CISSP exam on your own without any expert guidance may lead to a loss of interest during preparation / studies or failing the actual exam.
Therefore, if you lack self-discipline and proper guidance you should opt for a CISSP training program.
Can You Attend In-person Classes or Will Online Training Work Best for You?
In-person training and online training have their benefits and drawbacks. In the end, the decision draws down to the personal preference of the candidate.
Classroom-based training is a traditional way of learning, and it is more interactive than other options. It allows candidates to interact with the instructors and other students with more ease, helping them understand IT concepts with more clarity. Another big advantage of in-person learning is that it is in no way dependent on technology.
However, you should keep in mind that online learning is also as effective as in-person training. The biggest advantage of online learning is that it provides you with the flexibility to view the lectures at demand any time, any day of the week for as many times as you want.
Moreover, it provides you with the freedom to pause and play these video lectures so you can go over them again if you miss out on something or want to recall a certain concept.
Another big advantage of online learning is that the learner can attend the classes given by the instructors from any location.
The online training option is your best bet if you live in a location where there are no In-person CISSP institutes. This also saves people from the hassle to schedule and travel to the location of the class with their already busy lives, saving them time and travel expenses.
Classroom-based training is a traditional way of learning, and it is more interactive than other options. It allows candidates to interact with the instructors and other students with more ease, helping them understand IT concepts with more clarity. Another big advantage of in-person learning is that it is in no way dependent on technology.
However, you should keep in mind that online learning is also as effective as in-person training. The biggest advantage of online learning is that it provides you with the flexibility to view the lectures at demand any time, any day of the week for as many times as you want.
Moreover, it provides you with the freedom to pause and play these video lectures so you can go over them again if you miss out on something or want to recall a certain concept.
Another big advantage of online learning is that the learner can attend the classes given by the instructors from any location.
The online training option is your best bet if you live in a location where there are no In-person CISSP institutes. This also saves people from the hassle to schedule and travel to the location of the class with their already busy lives, saving them time and travel expenses.
Does the CISSP Training Program You Want to Enroll in Offer an Exam Pass Guarantee or Not?
The next important thing you need to consider as a CISSP examination candidate is to ask whether the training program offers an exam pass guarantee or not. With countless institutes offering CISSP training, many of them only want the candidate to register for their course and pay a hefty amount.
Once the candidate has paid the fee for the course, the instructors or trainers of the course pay little attention to the quality of the teaching or to the extent to which the candidate has understood the lessons.
They also overlook another important scenario–that in case a candidate is unable to prepare for the CISSP certification exam they will let them go ahead and appear for the exam.
They only want to secure the fee from the candidates and the quality of their training drops over time. So, they do not pay much attention to the lessons they deliver and to the proficiency of the learner in cybersecurity concepts after completing the course.
Therefore, it is important to choose a CISSP training course or institute that provides an exam pass guarantee. Such training courses and institutes will reimburse you the amount you paid if you are unable to pass the CISSP certification exam after learning with them.
The exam pass guarantee ensures that the instructor and institute will do their best to guide you for the CISSP certification exam. They will make sure that you have adequate knowledge of the domains and concepts of the exam.
If you are unable to complete your preparation, they will advise you to shift your exam to a later date because if you are unable to pass the exam, they will have to pay you back.
Once the candidate has paid the fee for the course, the instructors or trainers of the course pay little attention to the quality of the teaching or to the extent to which the candidate has understood the lessons.
They also overlook another important scenario–that in case a candidate is unable to prepare for the CISSP certification exam they will let them go ahead and appear for the exam.
They only want to secure the fee from the candidates and the quality of their training drops over time. So, they do not pay much attention to the lessons they deliver and to the proficiency of the learner in cybersecurity concepts after completing the course.
Therefore, it is important to choose a CISSP training course or institute that provides an exam pass guarantee. Such training courses and institutes will reimburse you the amount you paid if you are unable to pass the CISSP certification exam after learning with them.
The exam pass guarantee ensures that the instructor and institute will do their best to guide you for the CISSP certification exam. They will make sure that you have adequate knowledge of the domains and concepts of the exam.
If you are unable to complete your preparation, they will advise you to shift your exam to a later date because if you are unable to pass the exam, they will have to pay you back.
Does The Certification Course Advertise a High Exam Pass Rate?
The CISSP In-person or online certification course that you are considering should be advertising a high pass rate. If they do not provide any statistics for their pass rate, it means that the course and training they are offering are not up to par with other quality institutes.
As a rule of thumb, remember that successful training programs will have a list of candidates that have learned from them and passed the exam. The CISSP certification exam is the benchmark of knowledge in the IT field, if an institute can provide you with the training to pass this exam, they will also own the results to show the effectiveness of their program.
But if this is not the case you should reconsider opting for the course and go with other available options.
Any trainer who provides high-quality lessons on the core concepts and topics of cybersecurity will be more than eager to display the lists of learners who have taken their course and have subsequently cleared the CISSP certification exam successfully.
It is also possible that the training program is only starting and does not have enough learners, in this case we will recommend you not choose them because they are not well-established.
In short, your best bet to master the exam is to choose a training program with a high exam pass rate.
As a rule of thumb, remember that successful training programs will have a list of candidates that have learned from them and passed the exam. The CISSP certification exam is the benchmark of knowledge in the IT field, if an institute can provide you with the training to pass this exam, they will also own the results to show the effectiveness of their program.
But if this is not the case you should reconsider opting for the course and go with other available options.
Any trainer who provides high-quality lessons on the core concepts and topics of cybersecurity will be more than eager to display the lists of learners who have taken their course and have subsequently cleared the CISSP certification exam successfully.
It is also possible that the training program is only starting and does not have enough learners, in this case we will recommend you not choose them because they are not well-established.
In short, your best bet to master the exam is to choose a training program with a high exam pass rate.
How Much Does the CISSP Certification Training Course You Are Choosing Cost?
When choosing a course for your preparation you will also need to take into account its cost. Most candidates planning to appear for CISSP certification will have to pay a hefty registration fee for the exam. This leaves them limited finances when it comes to choosing a training program.
As a CISSP aspirant, you will have to consider whether the training course you are opting for is affordable or not.
The most affordable option for candidates is to choose an online program because it will save them travel costs and time.
You should not splurge on the most expensive training program without considering certain things that include how much knowledge you already have. Candidates who struggle with concepts and knowledge might need a more rigorous program for preparation, but this might not be the case with you.
Certain candidates can require limited guidance to navigate through the process of preparing for the exam. Training programs for such candidates are more focused on the tips and tricks of passing the paper, and as a result, such programs are cheaper than the ones teaching from scratch.
Therefore, when choosing a program make sure, you are aware of your needs and then budget your CISSP certification journey. A good CISSP training course will be expensive but deciding if it is for you or not is the real deal.
Additionally, we will also recommend you survey the available training options and try to find a program that is within your budget. If you are willing to spend too much on a training program without due diligence you might fall victim to fraudulent training programs which have popped up almost everywhere these days.
As a CISSP aspirant, you will have to consider whether the training course you are opting for is affordable or not.
The most affordable option for candidates is to choose an online program because it will save them travel costs and time.
You should not splurge on the most expensive training program without considering certain things that include how much knowledge you already have. Candidates who struggle with concepts and knowledge might need a more rigorous program for preparation, but this might not be the case with you.
Certain candidates can require limited guidance to navigate through the process of preparing for the exam. Training programs for such candidates are more focused on the tips and tricks of passing the paper, and as a result, such programs are cheaper than the ones teaching from scratch.
Therefore, when choosing a program make sure, you are aware of your needs and then budget your CISSP certification journey. A good CISSP training course will be expensive but deciding if it is for you or not is the real deal.
Additionally, we will also recommend you survey the available training options and try to find a program that is within your budget. If you are willing to spend too much on a training program without due diligence you might fall victim to fraudulent training programs which have popped up almost everywhere these days.
What Kind of Reviews and Feedback Does the Training Program Have?
Last but not least, when choosing a training program look for the reviews of previous candidates. If a training program or instructor claims that they provide best-in-class training for CISSP certification, they should have many positive reviews of candidates who learned from them and passed the CISSP certification exam.
Reviews are an important maker for informing prospective candidates about the effectiveness of a training program. For example, if a student of that program clears the CISSP exam, he will be more than willing to leave a positive review for the course on the educational course and training provider’s website.
So, if you happen to come across a training course that offers an exam pass guarantee and claims a high pass rate, your next step should be to look for past reviews. If they have limited positive reviews or testimonials, you should reconsider choosing them.
The reason for this is either the content and training offered in that course are ineffective or it has a high enrollment but fails to deliver training effectively when it comes to passing the CISSP certification exam.
Both of these cases are detrimental to a candidate’s success and thus he should avoid courses that do not have many positive reviews.
Reviews are an important maker for informing prospective candidates about the effectiveness of a training program. For example, if a student of that program clears the CISSP exam, he will be more than willing to leave a positive review for the course on the educational course and training provider’s website.
So, if you happen to come across a training course that offers an exam pass guarantee and claims a high pass rate, your next step should be to look for past reviews. If they have limited positive reviews or testimonials, you should reconsider choosing them.
The reason for this is either the content and training offered in that course are ineffective or it has a high enrollment but fails to deliver training effectively when it comes to passing the CISSP certification exam.
Both of these cases are detrimental to a candidate’s success and thus he should avoid courses that do not have many positive reviews.
Final Thoughts
If you want to attempt the CISSP certification exam in near future, you should start planning for it. There are multiple domains to be covered in this exam, which makes it very comprehensive.
As a prospective candidate, your focus should be not only on passing the exam but also on learning and growing as a professional in the information systems security field. So, you should choose a program that is convenient and effective for you while being affordable.
Remember that the CISSP exam can be tough but if you prepare well, you can pass it on the first attempt. All you need to do is to devise an effective strategy and find a training program that will help you achieve your goal.
As a prospective candidate, your focus should be not only on passing the exam but also on learning and growing as a professional in the information systems security field. So, you should choose a program that is convenient and effective for you while being affordable.
Remember that the CISSP exam can be tough but if you prepare well, you can pass it on the first attempt. All you need to do is to devise an effective strategy and find a training program that will help you achieve your goal.
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