🧩 CISM
Certified Information Security Manager (ISACA)

🧠 1. Certification Name and Issuing Body

  • Full name: Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

  • Issuing organization: ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association)

  • Reputation and global recognition: Highly respected globally for leadership and governance roles in information security. Often requested in job postings for management-level positions.

πŸ“š 2. Curriculum and Skills Covered

  • Covered domains:

    1. Information Security Governance

    2. Information Risk Management

    3. Information Security Program Development and Management

    4. Information Security Incident Management

  • Depth of content: Conceptual and managerial focus; minimal hands-on or technical details

  • Technologies and tools included: Focus on policy, framework alignment, and control implementation rather than specific tools

  • Relevance in the current job market: Very high for managerial and strategic security positions

  • Mapping to frameworks: Strong alignment with NIST, COBIT, ISO/IEC 27001, and relevant to DoD 8140 management pathways

🧩 3. Prerequisites and Recommended Level

  • Prior certifications or experience required?: 5 years of work experience in information security management, including at least 3 years in at least 3 of the 4 domains. Waivers for up to 2 years possible based on education or other certs.

  • Expected skill level: Advanced

  • Required knowledge: Risk assessment, compliance, business continuity, incident response, GRC (governance, risk, compliance), stakeholder communication

πŸ’΅ 4. Cost

  • Total cost:

    • ISACA Member: ~$575 USD

    • Non-Member: ~$760 USD

  • Study materials or lab access included?: No, purchased separately. ISACA provides official training courses and manuals.

  • Discounts: Available for members, bulk purchases, and sometimes through local chapters or events

⏳ 5. Estimated Preparation Time

  • Recommended study hours: 80–120 hours

  • Self-paced or instructor-led: Both available

  • Learning modes: Self-study, ISACA’s instructor-led training (online or in-person), third-party prep courses

🎯 6. Target Roles and Career Path

  • Job roles: Information Security Manager, Risk Manager, CISO, GRC Consultant, IT Compliance Officer, Audit Manager

  • Career goals: Excellent for those aiming to move into strategic roles or manage security programs in mid-to-large enterprises

  • Type: Managerial with a strong governance and policy focus

πŸ§ͺ 7. Exam Format and Difficulty

  • Format: Online or in-person (at PSI testing centers)

  • Type: Multiple-choice

  • Hands-on or theoretical: Entirely theoretical

  • Labs/simulations: None

  • Length and questions: 4 hours, 150 multiple-choice questions

  • Difficulty level: Moderate to high; requires practical experience and good understanding of business-oriented security concepts

πŸ“œ 8. Validity and Renewal

  • Expiration: Valid for 3 years

  • Renewal process: 120 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits every 3 years + annual maintenance fee (~$45–85 depending on membership)

🧰 9. Study Resources Available

  • Official documentation: ISACA’s CISM Review Manual and online question databases

  • Books: β€œCISM Certified Information Security Manager All-in-One Exam Guide” by Peter Gregory

  • Online platforms: ISACA Learning, Cybrary, Infosec Institute, Kaplan

  • Communities: Reddit r/cybersecurity, ISACA chapter forums, LinkedIn groups, Discord communities

  • Free/paid courses: Some on YouTube, others available through ISACA, Udemy, or Coursera

πŸ’Ό 10. Industry Value and Demand

  • Mentioned in job postings: Very frequently for CISO, InfoSec Manager, and compliance-related roles

  • Recruiter interest: High; validates strategic security capabilities

  • Recognized by: Banks, consulting firms, Fortune 500s, and government agencies

  • Average salary: $110,000–140,000 USD/year, depending on region and experience

🧭 11. Related Certifications and Progression

  • Career path: Often pursued after CISSP or in parallel with CRISC or CGEIT

  • Next steps: CGRC (for compliance focus), CCISO (for executive level), or SABSA (for architecture)

  • Comparison: Less technical than CISSP; more management-focused. Complements CRISC (risk), and CGRC (governance).