Certified Information Security Manager Certification 2025
Certified information security manager 2025 (CISM) is a certification offered by ISACA that recognises you as an expert who understands the relationship between your information security program and wider business goals. This management-focused credential promotes international security practices.
The CISM exam contains 150 multiple-choice questions. It tests your ability to create and sustain an information security strategy aligned with your company’s business goals.
Free Certified Information Security Manager Practice Test Online
CISM Training
The CISM certification is a must-have for those looking to move into information security management. It is a globally recognized accreditation that signals your knowledge and expertise. It also opens doors to higher salaries, making it a worthwhile investment for your career.
One of the main areas that the CISM exam covers is how to create and manage an information security strategy aligned with business objectives. This includes governance that directs actions and support the information security program. It also includes identifying, assessing and managing information risk and ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory and organizational requirements.
Another important area that the CISM exam focuses on is how to design and manage systems for detecting and responding to incidents. This includes creating and maintaining incident escalation and notification protocols, and ensuring that all incidents are reported to the appropriate stakeholders.
CISM certification requires five years of experience in the field of information security management, and candidates must adhere to ISACA’s code of professional ethics. There are a number of resources available for those preparing to take the CISM exam, including online forums. These forums provide a place for candidates to share questions, study methods, and tips.
CISM vs CISSP
A CISM certification is a valuable asset for any information security professional. It demonstrates that the individual has completed extensive training and is proficient in information systems management. This includes the design and implementation of computer networks as well as the prevention of cybercrime. It is also useful for demonstrating an individual’s ability to assess and manage risk. Those who receive this certification will be able to develop a plan to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, or destruction.
While both the CISM and CISSP are widely recognized as industry-leading credentials, deciding which one to pursue depends on your career goals. CISM is best for those who want to move from a technical job into managerial roles, such as a CISO or cybersecurity executive. In contrast, CISSP is a more technically-focused credential that aims to prepare professionals for jobs in which they must design, engineer, implement, and manage the overall security posture of a company or organization. Both credentials require years of work experience, peer endorsements, and a commitment to follow a code of ethics.
Information Security Manager Salary
As companies and organizations increasingly rely on computer systems to operate, they must ensure that their sensitive information is protected from hacking or other threats. As a result, the demand for information security managers is rising rapidly. The salary for an information security manager can vary depending on a number of factors, including the location, industry and company size.
In general, a security manager can expect to earn between $120,000 and $153,000 per year. This is a good salary for a position that requires substantial technical knowledge and management skills. It is also possible to obtain a higher salary by earning additional credentials, such as the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) credential from ISACA.
The CISM is the most widely accepted certification in the cybersecurity field. It provides a solid foundation for any career in this area and helps you become a more valuable employee to your employer. The CISM is especially useful for professionals who are responsible for analyzing and aligning cyber security risk and protocols with policies and business goals.
CISM Exam
If you want to advance your career in information security management, consider earning CISM certification. The certification is designed for existing and aspiring information security managers and IT consultants who support information security program management. It certifies that you have the skills to develop and manage an enterprise-level information security program. It also ensures that you are proficient in the four major job practice areas of risk management, governance, programme development, and incident management.
The CISM exam has 200 questions and is graded on a scale similar to the SAT. It is offered year-round at PSI centers in more than 70 countries. You can register online or directly through ISACA. To get the best possible preparation for the CISM exam, read ISACA’s official Exam Candidate Information Guide. It contains all exam-related information, including registration, preparation rules, retake policy, and important exam-day details.
Another good resource for preparing for the CISM exam is a list of sample questions on ISACA’s website. These questions are designed to cover the main content areas of the CISM exam.
Information Systems Security Manager
An information systems security manager works to protect an organization’s computer networks and data from cyberattacks. They also oversee backup and security systems, look after recovery of data in disaster situations and conduct security violation investigations. They often conduct simulated attacks on an organization to identify any weak spots in their cybersecurity.
These professionals are often heavily regulated and work with companies that handle sensitive personal information. They can also assist with advising management-level personnel and decision-makers on security matters. They must have good communication skills to work alongside non-specialist IT staff and explain technical protocols.
This is a full-time job and working overtime hours is likely, particularly when responding to a threat. As cyberattacks become increasingly common, these managers will be in high demand. According to the Department of Labor, employment opportunities for these professionals are expected to grow by 33% from 2020 to 2030. This is much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth is attributed to increased frequency of cyberattacks from independent hackers and state actors.
CISM Certification Cost
CISM Certification Cost: CISM is an advanced certification by ISACA to demonstrate a technical professional’s comprehension of information security (infosec) especially in the areas of governance, risk management, incident management, and running infosec programs. This article takes a closer look at the process of becoming a CISM and what to expect when it comes to exam costs, jobs, salaries, and requirements.
ISACA is one of the most well-recognized cybersecurity training bodies in the world and their CISM certification has become a staple on many technical resumes. This is because it is one of the few industry certifications that targets IT/IS security managers in a non-vendor specific way, and requires an understanding of a wide range of domains. The CISM exam is also quite challenging, and ISACA’s curricula are constantly being updated to meet the needs of the industry.
The exam itself costs $575 for ISACA members, and $760 for non-members. It can be taken at 1,300 PSI locations worldwide, and there is a 12 month eligibility term. After the exam is passed, candidates are required to maintain their CISM status by meeting a certain number of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours each year, and adhere to the CISM code of ethics.
CISM Requirements
There are a few requirements that CISM candidates must meet in order to take the exam. First, they must agree to a code of ethics established by ISACA that guides them in their professional and personal behavior. Additionally, they must participate in a continuing education program (CPE) policy to ensure that they maintain their expertise.
The exam itself consists of multiple-choice questions on various information security topics. It tests the candidate’s ability to classify information assets and develop security precautions that optimize their value, as well as their knowledge of integrating these standards into organizational procedures. It also tests the candidate’s ability to understand the impact of non-compliance risks on business operations and processes.
CISM certification is meant for current and aspiring information security managers, as well as IT consultants who support infosec management. It’s important to note that CISM is not an entry-level cert: candidates must have at least a decade of experience in their field. However, there is some wiggle room in that requirement, as lower-level certs and time spent teaching infosec can substitute for years of experience.
Information Security Manager Jobs
Information security managers are responsible for a variety of tasks related to building and updating cybersecurity systems. They also monitor internal and external policies to ensure compliance. For example, if there is a new privacy law that affects an organization’s operations, the manager would need to make sure that the company is following the law by changing its policies. They also regularly go through logs and investigate cyber threats.
They work with all departments within the organization and use their expertise to help IT employees prevent cyber attacks. They are often the highest point of escalation for incidents that occur, so they need to be able to quickly assess and react to situations.
This role is one that requires a lot of attention to detail. If you enjoy working with your hands and have strong managerial people skills, then this may be the perfect job for you. Ready to pursue your dream of becoming a CISM? Learn how you can start earning your bachelor’s or master’s degree from WGU today!
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Questions and Answers
An advanced certification called Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certifies a person as having the skills and knowledge necessary to create and oversee an infosec program for businesses.
A Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification will teach you how to evaluate risks, put in place efficient governance, and respond to incidents in a proactive manner.
CISM stands for Certified Information Security Manager.
Worldwide, there are more than 48,000 CISM-certified professionals, according to ISACA, the international organization that administers the certification.
An individual must first fulfill the following requirements in order to become CISM certified:
- Succeed on the certification test.
- Pay the $50 processing charge for the application.
- Submit an application to show that you have the necessary experience.
- Comply with the Code of Professional Ethics
- Comply with the Continuing Professional Education Policy >
ISACA offers the CISA and CISM certificates, two well-known credentials in the field of information security and audit (Information Systems Audit and Control Association). However, they provide various promises for people on various career routes and target various professionals. While CISA focuses primarily on the auditing and assurance of information systems, CISM is geared at information security management and governance. The fact that the CISA and CISM certifications are performance-based is a significant similarity between them. Both evaluate your capacity for advancement in the field of information security auditing or analysis as well as your analytical abilities, ability to recognize risk areas within an organization, and potential.
The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) credential does not expire, but in order to keep their current status, holders must take part in continuing professional education (CPE).
The CISM certification grants you global recognition in addition to being in great demand. Passing the test is not a simple process, though. Only 50–60% of candidates were able to pass this exam on their first attempt, indicating that it is difficult.
A minimum of three years of information security management work experience in three or more of the job practice analysis areas, along with five years of information security work experience, are requirements for the CISM certificate.
Examiners will give candidates four hours to finish the 150-question test.
You need to start your preparation at least four to six weeks before the exam if you want to pass the CISM certification exam. Try organizing the information next by domain. For each of the four domains, you should devote yourself ideally 1-2 hours every day, varied according to their weight in the exam.
The 150 questions on the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) exam evaluate your knowledge and skills on real-world job practices used by knowledgeable professionals. The exam covers 4 job practice domains.
The average person will pay $760 to take the exam. Existing ISACA members, a nonprofit that administers and maintains the certification, will simply need to pay $575.
- Passing an exam on information security incident management, information security program development and management, information risk management, and information security governance is the first step in earning a CISM certification.
- Agreement with the “Code of Professional Ethics” is required as the second stage in earning a CISM certification. This ethics code was established by ISACA to direct CISM certification holders’ conduct both professionally and personally. The CISM code of ethics mandates that holders uphold ISACA standards and continue to be knowledgeable in the field of information systems.
- Adhering to a rigid ISACA ongoing education policy is the third step in being certified. A minimum of 20 hours of CPE must be completed yearly, and a minimum of 120 hours must be completed throughout a three-year period. This continuous education policy’s major goal is to make sure you keep a sufficient level of up-to-date expertise in information security.
- Submitting proof of a minimum of five years of information security work experience, which has been verified by your employer, is the final step in obtaining your CISM certification.
- You can submit an application for the CISM certification once you have passed the exam, accepted the ethical code, paid your recurring annual fee, complied with the continuing education policy, and kept up the necessary job experience. You receive the CISM certification and designation after ISACA verifies your information.
- Go through the updated ISACA Exam Candidate Guide.
- Map Out Your 30-Day Exam Preparation Path.
- Completely read and comprehend the CISM Review Manual (CRM).
- Make a list of all the key terms and make sure you understand them all.
- Enroll in ISACA’s online CISM exam preparation program.
The practice exam is a crucial step in assessing candidates’ readiness for the CISM certification, therefore they should be excited about taking it. Taking a practice test will also help you become accustomed to the format and kinds of questions on the real exam.
Select “CISM” under the “Certification” option. The “Register for Exam” button should be clicked. Choose the time, place, and language of your selected exam. Exam registration agreement is reviewed and accepted.
- It is advised that you create a study plan before you begin your preparation. You can divide your preparations leading up to the Certified Information Security Manager exam day with the aid of a study schedule. Set a date by which you must complete the exam. Even though each applicant learns differently, three months should be plenty to get ready for this ISACA certification test. A shorter period of time will be demanding because you’ll have to balance your personal and professional obligations.
- Some candidates find that self-study is the greatest method of learning, while others prefer audio lectures and others prefer taking a one-on-one training course. You must choose your learning style because everyone has a unique way of learning and studying. This could mean getting CISM study materials, signing up for an online course, or taking a CISM practice exam.
- Just as each learns differently, applicants frequently have diverse ideas about what makes for a productive study environment. Do you enjoy total silence? Or how about some background music? Or do you prefer a setting with less outside distractions? As you decide where you will carry out the majority of your preparations, ask yourself each of the following questions.
- A variety of websites offer CISM practice questions and full-length sample exams. Make the necessary efforts to ensure the dependability of the testing environment; one such site is Edusum.com, from where you are taking the CISM practice exam. The most accurate approach to gauge your level of preparedness is to take CISM practice exams. These drills put you through a series of questions with the same format as a real Certified Information Security Manager exam. Make use of these CISM practice exams to relax your approach to timing and pressure.
- Not just the CISM exam, but any exam preparation can be nerve-wracking. It is obvious to feel physical fatigue under such situations. Every day, you should engage in at least two of your favorite activities if you want to feel energized and awake. When it comes to studying for the CISM exam, keep in mind that both your body and mind are crucial.
For IT professionals moving from technical to managerial responsibilities, the CISM certification is a great option. For seasoned program managers who want to concentrate in IT, it’s a fantastic qualification.
The difficulty of each is roughly equal. A little more technical is CISSP (not very deep, but concepts). CISM is less technical yet extremely management-focused. They complement one another well, and since there is a lot of topic overlap, choosing between the CISSP AND CISM is an option.
A minimum of three years of information security management work experience in three or more of the job practice analysis areas is required for the CISM certificate, which requires five years of information security work experience.
A person who holds the advanced certification of Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) has the skills and knowledge necessary to create and oversee an infosec program for an organization.
CISM stands for Certified Information Security Manage.
In this scenario, the conventional sequence is to pursue a CISSP first and a CISM second. A small percentage of persons go on to earn both. However, that doesn’t imply that one serves as the basis for the other. Understanding how each certification will affect your career will help you choose which is the best fit for you. Each certification has a specific focus.
Yes. Exams are “open book.” This implies that the exam taker is free to consult any public CISM resources that are available.