(Benefits of a CISSP Certification) What Are The Benefits Of Having CISSP-Certified Employees

With cybersecurity now being a critical enabler of innovation in the modern enterprise, leaders must make sure to have the necessary expertise on their side.

Summary: As cybercrime becomes increasingly widespread and difficult to manage, business leaders must overcome the acute skills shortage in this space. Enrolling employees in CISSP and other training programs boosts the prospects of long-term success and prepares organizations for tackling the latest threats.

No business is too small or inconsequential to be targeted by attackers, and these incidents can have far-reaching effects. This is why every business needs to have an optimal blend of expertise and technology on their side to protect themselves against the latest threats.

Certified Information Security Systems Professionals, or CISSPs, are among the most sought-after experts in the field, and for good reason. As a globally recognized credential, CISSPs have a range of responsibilities and typically hold managerial positions in their organizations.

Investing in employees by providing CISSP training is almost always preferable to relying on outsourcing IT security to third parties, especially in the case of technology companies and large organizations operating in regulated industries.

Here are some of the most important benefits of helping employees earn this certification:

#1. Ensure Safety and Compliance

Today's organizations face a huge and constantly growing array of cyber threats, from state-sponsored attackers to organized cybercriminals. To address these ever-increasing risks, regulatory bodies in the US and beyond are mandating stricter standards and controls for protecting sensitive data from patient health information to financial records to government-controlled information. Ensuring safety and compliance requires a blend of technical expertise and strong leadership skills of the sort that CISSPs can offer.

#2. Drive Innovation without Adding Risk

In the old days, information security departments were often seen as barriers to innovation. Today's security leaders are a very different breed since they often stand on the front lines of innovation and security. CISSPs are themselves champions of innovation who maintain close ties with the leaders of other departments to drive innovation forward without adding risk to their organizations and clients. As such, investing in helping employees become CISSPs is an investment in the business's long-term success.

#3. Align with Industry Best Practices

CISSP accreditation is one of the most valuable and widely recognized available. It is the baseline for entry into the National Security Agency (NSA), for example. By addressing all the major information security domains in extensive detail, it aligns with the same industry best practices used in developing other regulatory frameworks and security standards. Moreover, the CISSP framework and exam content are regularly updated to address the latest threats and standards, thereby driving the continuous improvement of security maturity.

#4. Improve Brand Reputation

Having a CISSP on the team lends enormous credibility to organizations, especially those directly responsible for protecting sensitive data on behalf of their customers. For example, any managed services provider (MSP) or cloud technology provider can greatly enhance their brand reputation and authority by having an accredited CISSP in charge of security decisions. CISSPs themselves play an important role in educating and consulting others, including other employees, stakeholders, and clients.

#5. Overcome the Security Skills Shortage

There are currently around 150,000 accredited CISSPs globally. While that might sound like a lot, the number of unfilled security-related job placements is expected to reach 3.5 million in 2021. As such, finding an accredited CISSP can be difficult and time-consuming, especially in organizations operating out of smaller cities. With more organizations reporting a serious skills shortage, the case for training existing employees has never been greater. When it comes to CISSP training, any employee with five years of experience in at least two of the eight security domains is a good potential candidate for CISSP exam preparation. It may still take quite a few months to bring them up to speed ahead of the exam, but it usually works out a lot cheaper than trying to find and hire someone already certified.

#6. Enhance Employee Productivity

Employees who have access to valuable training resources are more loyal and have greater job satisfaction. These factors contribute to improved productivity and better information security. Furthermore, offering comprehensive training programs and customizable career paths to employees makes them feel appreciated while developing critical skills for their organizations. Being champions of innovation, CISSPs stand at the forefront of digital transformation, guiding business leaders in implementing cutting-edge technology solutions like automation, machine learning, and self-service security capabilities.

#7. Boost Cybersecurity Maturity

CISSP is a must-have for anyone in a senior information security role. By contrast, those with generalist skills and experience are rarely sufficiently equipped to stay on top of the latest cybersecurity trends, especially from a leadership position. Having a CISSP can take an organization's security maturity to the next level by demonstrating excellence in the field and continuously improving its security posture. Becoming a CISSP validates one's technical and leadership abilities, which is a must for organizations that their clients and stakeholders regularly call upon to demonstrate an impeccable track record and understanding of today's most pressing cybersecurity challenges.

#8. Win Lucrative New Contracts

Having a full understanding of how to secure confidential data and its means is a clear necessity for businesses operating in regulated sectors, such as government and healthcare. The ability to win lucrative new contracts depends on it, which is why having a CISSP on the team is a surefire way to impress potential clients and investors. For many such contracts, the CISSP will be one of the main lines of communication between the business and its clients.

Cybrary for Teams is an all-in-one workforce development platform that helps organizations develop stronger cybersecurity skills, prepare for new certifications, and track team progress. Enroll your employees today!