Certification Exam Outline

Certication Exam Outline

Effective Date: May 1, 2021

CISSP Certication Exam Outline

About CISSP

The Certied Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is the most globally recognized certication

in the information security market. CISSP validates an information security professional’s deep technical

and managerial knowledge and experience to effectively design, engineer, and manage the overall security

posture of an organization.

The broad spectrum of topics included in the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK

) ensure its relevancy

across all disciplines in the eld of information security. Successful candidates are competent in the following

eight domains:

• Security and Risk Management

• Asset Security

• Security Architecture and Engineering

• Communication and Network Security

• Identity and Access Management (IAM)

• Security Assessment and Testing

• Security Operations

• Software Development Security

Experience Requirements

Candidates must have a minimum of ve years cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the

eight domains of the CISSP CBK. Earning a four year college degree or regional equivalent or an additional

credential from the ISC2 approved list will satisfy one year of the required experience. Education credit will

only satisfy one year of experience.

A candidate that doesn’t have the required experience to become a CISSP may become an Associate of ISC2

by successfully passing the CISSP examination. The Associate of ISC2 will then have six years to earn the ve

years required experience. You can learn more about CISSP experience requirements and how to account for

part-time work and internships at www.isc2.org/Certications/CISSP/experience-requirements.

Accreditation

CISSP was the rst credential in the eld of information security to meet the stringent requirements of ANSI/

ISO/IEC Standard 17024.

Job Task Analysis (JTA)

ISC2 has an obligation to its membership to maintain the relevancy of the CISSP. Conducted at regular

intervals, the Job Task Analysis (JTA) is a methodical and critical process of determining the tasks that are

performed by security professionals who are engaged in the profession dened by the CISSP. The results of

the JTA are used to update the examination. This process ensures that candidates are tested on the topic

areas relevant to the roles and responsibilities of today’s practicing information security professionals.

CISSP Certication Exam Outline

CISSP CAT Examination Information

CISSP CAT Examination Weights

Length of exam

Number of items

Item format

Passing grade

Exam language availability

Testing center

4 hours

125 - 175

Multiple choice and advanced innovative items

700 out of 1000 points

English

ISC2 Authorized PPC and PVTC Select Pearson VUE

Testing Centers

Domains Average Weight

1. Security and Risk Management 15%

2. Asset Security 10%

3. Security Architecture and Engineering 13%

4. Communication and Network Security 13%

5. Identity and Access Management (IAM) 13%

6. Security Assessment and Testing 12%

7. Security Operations 13%

8. Software Development Security 11%

Total: 100%

The CISSP exam uses Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) for all English exams. CISSP

exams in all other languages are administered as linear, xed-form exams. You can learn

more about CISSP CAT at www.isc2.org/certicatons/CISSP-CAT.

CISSP Certication Exam Outline

CISSP Linear Examination Information

CISSP Linear Examination Weights

Length of exam

Number of items

Item format

Passing grade

Exam language availability

Testing center

6 hours

250

Multiple choice and advanced innovative items

700 out of 1000 points

Chinese, German, Korean, Japanese, Spanish

ISC2 Authorized PPC and PVTC Select Pearson VUE

Testing Centers

Domains Weight

1. Security and Risk Management 15%

2. Asset Security 10%

3. Security Architecture and Engineering 13%

4. Communication and Network Security 13%

5. Identity and Access Management (IAM) 13%

6. Security Assessment and Testing 12%

7. Security Operations 13%

8. Software Development Security 11%

Total: 100%

CISSP Certication Exam Outline

Domain 1:

Security and Risk Management

1.1 Understand, adhere to, and promote professional ethics

» ISC2 Code of Professional Ethics

» Organizational code of ethics

1.2 Understand and apply security concepts

» Condentiality, integrity, and availability, authenticity and nonrepudiation

1.3 Evaluate and apply security governance principles

1.4 Determine compliance and other requirements

» Contractual, legal, industry standards, and regulatory requirements

» Privacy requirements

1.5 Understand legal and regulatory issues that pertain to information security in

a holistic context

1.6 Understand requirements for investigation types (i.e., administrative, criminal, civil,

regulatory, industry standards)

1.7 Develop, document, and implement security policy, standards, procedures, and guidelines

» Alignment of the security function to business strategy, goals, mission, and objectives

» Organizational processes (e.g., acquisitions, divestitures, governance committees)

» Organizational roles and responsibilities

» Security control frameworks

» Due care/due diligence

» Cybercrimes and data breaches

» Licensing and Intellectual Property (IP)

requirements

» Import/export controls

» Transborder data ow

» Privacy

CISSP Certication Exam Outline

1.8 Identify, analyze, and prioritize Business Continuity (BC) requirements

» Business Impact Analysis (BIA)

» Develop and document the scope and the plan

1.9 Contribute to and enforce personnel security policies and procedures

1.10 Understand and apply risk management concepts

1.11 Understand and apply threat modeling concepts and methodologies

1.12 Apply Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) concepts

1.13 Establish and maintain a security awareness, education, and training program

» Candidate screening and hiring

» Employment agreements and policies

» Onboarding, transfers, and termination processes

» Vendor, consultant, and contractor agreements

and controls

» Compliance policy requirements

» Privacy policy requirements

» Identify threats and vulnerabilities

» Risk assessment/analysis

» Risk response

» Countermeasure selection and implementation

» Applicable types of controls (e.g., preventive,

detective, corrective)

» Control assessments (security and privacy)

» Monitoring and measurement

» Reporting

» Continuous improvement

(e.g., Risk maturity modeling)

» Risk frameworks

» Risks associated with hardware, software,

and services

» Third-party assessment and monitoring

» Minimum security requirements

» Service level requirements

» Methods and techniques to present awareness and training (e.g., social engineering,

phishing, security champions, gamication)

» Periodic content reviews

» Program effectiveness evaluation

CISSP Certication Exam Outline

Domain 2:

Asset Security

2.1 Identify and classify information and assets

2.2 Establish information and asset handling requirements

2.3 Provision resources securely

2.4 Manage data lifecycle

2.5 Ensure appropriate asset retention (e.g., End-of-Life (EOL), End-of-Support (EOS))

2.6 Determine data security controls and compliance requirements

» Information and asset ownership

» Asset inventory (e.g., tangible, intangible)

» Asset management

» Data roles (i.e., owners, controllers, custodians,

processors, users/subjects)

» Data collection

» Data location

» Data maintenance

» Data retention

» Data remanence

» Data destruction

» Data classication

» Asset Classication

» Data states (e.g., in use, in transit, at rest)

» Scoping and tailoring

» Standards selection

» Data protection methods (e.g., Digital Rights Management (DRM), Data Loss Prevention (DLP),

Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB))

CISSP Certication Exam Outline

Domain 3:

Security Architecture and Engineering

3.1 Research, implement and manage engineering processes using secure design principles

3.2 Understand the fundamental concepts of security models

(e.g., Biba, Star Model, Bell-LaPadula)

3.3 Select controls based upon systems security requirements

3.4 Understand security capabilities of Information Systems (IS) (e.g., memory protection,

Trusted Platform Module (TPM), encryption/decryption)

3.5 Assess and mitigate the vulnerabilities of security architectures, designs, and solution

elements

3.6 Select and determine cryptographic solutions

» Client-based systems

» Server-based systems

» Database systems

» Cryptographic systems

» Industrial Control Systems (ICS)

» Cloud-based systems (e.g., Software as a Service

(SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as

a Service (PaaS))

» Distributed systems

» Internet of Things (IoT)

» Microservices

» Containerization

» Serverless

» Embedded systems

» High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems

» Edge computing systems

» Virtualized systems

» Threat modeling

» Least privilege

» Defense in depth

» Secure defaults

» Fail securely

» Separation of Duties (SoD)

» Keep it simple

» Zero Trust

» Privacy by design

» Trust but verify

» Shared responsibility

» Cryptographic life cycle (e.g., keys, algorithm

selection)

» Cryptographic methods (e.g., symmetric,

asymmetric, elliptic curves, quantum)

» Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)

» Key management practices

» Digital signatures and digital certicates

» Non-repudiation

» Integrity (e.g., hashing)

CISSP Certication Exam Outline

3.7 Understand methods of cryptanalytic attacks

3.8 Apply security principles to site and facility design

3.9 Design site and facility security controls

» Brute force

» Ciphertext only

» Known plaintext

» Frequency analysis

» Chosen ciphertext

» Implementation attacks

» Side-channel

» Fault injection

» Timing

» Man-in-the-Middle (MITM)

» Pass the hash

» Kerberos exploitation

» Ransomware

» Wiring closets/intermediate distribution facilities

» Server rooms/data centers

» Media storage facilities

» Evidence storage

» Restricted and work area security

» Utilities and Heating, Ventilation, and Air

Conditioning (HVAC)

» Environmental issues

» Fire prevention, detection, and suppression

» Power (e.g., redundant, backup)

CISSP Certication Exam Outline

Domain 4:

Communication and Network Security

4.1 Assess and implement secure design principles in network architectures

4.2 Secure network components

4.3 Implement secure communication channels according to design

» Open System Interconnection (OSI) and Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) models

» Internet Protocol (IP) networking (e.g., Internet Protocol Security (IPSec), Internet Protocol (IP) v4/6)

» Secure protocols

» Implications of multilayer protocols

» Converged protocols (e.g., Fiber Channel Over Ethernet (FCoE),

Internet Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP))

» Micro-segmentation (e.g., Software Dened Networks (SDN), Virtual eXtensible Local Area Network (VXLAN),

Encapsulation, Software-Dened Wide Area Network (SD-WAN))

» Wireless networks (e.g., Li-Fi, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, satellite)

» Cellular networks (e.g., 4G, 5G)

» Content Distribution Networks (CDN)

» Operation of hardware

(e.g., redundant power, warranty, support)

» Transmission media

» Network Access Control (NAC) devices

» Endpoint security

» Voice

» Multimedia collaboration

» Remote access

» Data communications

» Virtualized networks

» Third-party connectivity

CISSP Certication Exam Outline

Domain 5:

Identity and Access Management (IAM)

5.1 Control physical and logical access to assets

5.2 Manage identication and authentication of people, devices, and services

5.3 Federated identity with a third-party service

5.4 Implement and manage authorization mechanisms

5.5 Manage the identity and access provisioning lifecycle

5.6 Implement authentication systems

» Identity Management (IdM) implementation

» Single/Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

» Accountability

» Session management

» Registration, proong, and establishment

of identity

» Federated Identity Management (FIM)

» Credential management systems

» Single Sign On (SSO)

» Just-In-Time (JIT)

» Role Based Access Control (RBAC)

» Rule based access control

» Mandatory Access Control (MAC)

» Discretionary Access Control (DAC)

» Attribute Based Access Control (ABAC)

» Risk based access control

» Information

» Systems

» Devices

» Facilities

» Applications

» Account access review (e.g., user, system, service)

» Provisioning and deprovisioning

(e.g., on /off boarding and transfers)

» Role denition (e.g., people assigned to new roles)

» Privilege escalation (e.g., managed service

accounts, use of sudo, minimizing its use)

» On-premise

» Cloud

» Hybrid

» OpenID Connect (OIDC)/Open Authorization

(Oauth)

» Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML)

» Kerberos

» Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service

(RADIUS)/Terminal Access Controller Access

Control System Plus (TACACS+)

CISSP Certication Exam Outline

6.1 Design and validate assessment, test, and audit strategies

6.2 Conduct security control testing

6.3 Collect security process data (e.g., technical and administrative)

6.4 Analyze test output and generate report

6.5 Conduct or facilitate security audits

» Vulnerability assessment

» Penetration testing

» Log reviews

» Synthetic transactions

» Code review and testing

» Misuse case testing

» Test coverage analysis

» Interface testing

» Breach attack simulations

» Compliance checks

» Internal

» External

» Third-party

» Remediation

» Exception handling

» Ethical disclosure

» Account management

» Management review and approval

» Key performance and risk indicators

» Backup verication data

» Training and awareness

» Disaster Recovery (DR) and Business Continuity

(BC)

Domain 6:

Security Assessment and Testing

» Internal

» External

» Third-party

CISSP Certication Exam Outline

7.1 Understand and comply with investigations

7.2 Conduct logging and monitoring activities

7.3 Perform Conguration Management (CM) (e.g., provisioning, baselining, automation)

7.4 Apply foundational security operations concepts

7.5 Apply resource protection

7.6 Conduct incident management

Domain 7:

Security Operations

» Evidence collection and handling

» Reporting and documentation

» Investigative techniques

» Digital forensics tools, tactics, and procedures

» Artifacts (e.g., computer, network, mobile device)

» Media management

» Media protection techniques

» Intrusion detection and prevention

» Security Information and Event Management

(SIEM)

» Continuous monitoring

» Egress monitoring

» Log management

» Threat intelligence (e.g., threat feeds, threat

hunting)

» User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA)

» Need-to-know/least privilege

» Separation of Duties (SoD) and responsibilities

» Privileged account management

» Job rotation

» Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

» Detection

» Response

» Mitigation

» Reporting

» Recovery

» Remediation

» Lessons learned

CISSP Certication Exam Outline

7.7 Operate and maintain detective and preventative measures

7.8 Implement and support patch and vulnerability management

7.9 Understand and participate in change management processes

7.10 Implement recovery strategies

7.11 Implement Disaster Recovery (DR) processes

7.12 Test Disaster Recovery Plans (DRP)

7.13 Participate in Business Continuity (BC) planning and exercises

7.14 Implement and manage physical security

7.15 Address personnel safety and security concerns

» Firewalls (e.g., next generation, web

application, network)

» Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion

Prevention Systems (IPS)

» Whitelisting/blacklisting

» Third-party provided security services

» Sandboxing

» Honeypots/honeynets

» Anti-malware

» Machine learning and Articial Intelligence (AI)

based tools

» Backup storage strategies

» Recovery site strategies

» Multiple processing sites

» System resilience, High Availability (HA), Quality

of Service (QoS), and fault tolerance

» Response

» Personnel

» Communications

» Assessment

» Restoration

» Training and awareness

» Lessons learned

» Read-through/tabletop

» Walkthrough

» Simulation

» Parallel

» Full interruption

» Perimeter security controls

» Internal security controls

» Travel

» Security training and awareness

» Emergency management

» Duress

CISSP Certication Exam Outline

Domain 8:

Software Development Security

8.1 Understand and integrate security in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

8.2 Identify and apply security controls in software development ecosystems

8.3 Assess the effectiveness of software security

8.4 Assess security impact of acquired software

8.5 Dene and apply secure coding guidelines and standards

» Development methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, DevOps, DevSecOps)

» Maturity models (e.g., Capability Maturity Model (CMM), Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM))

» Operation and maintenance

» Change management

» Integrated Product Team (IPT)

» Security weaknesses and vulnerabilities at the source-code level

» Security of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)

» Secure coding practices

» Software-dened security

» Programming languages

» Libraries

» Tool sets

» Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

» Runtime

» Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery

(CI/CD)

» Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response

(SOAR)

» Software Conguration Management (SCM)

» Code repositories

» Application security testing (e.g., Static Application

Security Testing (SAST), Dynamic Application

Security Testing (DAST))

» Auditing and logging of changes

» Risk analysis and mitigation

» Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS)

» Open source

» Third-party

» Managed services (e.g., Software as a Service

(SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform

as a Service (PaaS))

CISSP Certication Exam Outline

Additional Examination Information

Supplementary References

Candidates are encouraged to supplement their education and experience by reviewing

relevant resources that pertain to the CBK and identifying areas of study that may need

additional attention.

View the full list of supplementary references at www.isc2.org/certications/References.

Examination Policies and Procedures

ISC2 recommends that CISSP candidates review exam policies and procedures prior to

registering for the examination. Read the comprehensive breakdown of this important

information at www.isc2.org/Register-for-Exam.

Legal Info

For any questions related to ISC2’s legal policies, please contact the ISC2 Legal

Department at [email protected].

Any Questions?

Contact ISC2 Candidate Services in your region:

Americas

Tel: +1-866-331-ISC2 (4722)

Email: [email protected]

Asia-Pacic

Tel: +(852) 5803-5662

Email: [email protected]

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Tel: +44 (0)203-960-7800

Email: [email protected]

v7/2023