As ubiquitous digitization takes hold, concerns regarding cybercrime and data security are escalating. In this scenario, demand for people with knowledge of data privacy regulations, security across digital platforms, computer forensics, and hacking is rising. Consequently, the data security industry has become a breeding ground for certified professionals with systems and cyber security expertise. If you aspire to work in cyber security or cybercrime, the best thing to do is become a certified professional.
CISSP-ISSMP is a certification offered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)² to validate your skills in various cybercrime and cyber security. Owing to the nature of their work, CISSP-ISSMP professionals are paid lucratively. With an average salary of $116,573 they are entitled to even better packages as gain more experience and proficiency in their work. This article aims to provide insights on CISSP-ISSMP Certification Salary and job outlook for those interested.
What is CISSP-ISSMP?
The CISSP-ISSMP, or the Information Systems Security Management Professional certification, is a high-level certification that testifies your skill as a CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) in securing business data and preventing data leaks and security breaches.
Qualifying for a CISSP certification requires a college degree and some experience in the field of cyber security.
These professionals attract competitive employment packages and promising career growth prospects not only because the certification validates their skills but also because the certification is issued by a universal authority on cyber security and crime.
CISSP-ISSMP Certification Job Trends
As ISSMP-CISSPs are experts in cyber and systems security and have in-depth knowledge about its components, they stand out from other IT professionals in terms of job prospects as well as salary. Moreover, the average ISSMP salary falls in the high-income bracket not only because it denotes specialization in system security but also because it is accredited by (ISC)2, the world authority on cybercrime.
Consequently, the following job roles for qualified CISSP-ISSMP professionals are some of the most lucrative options:
- Chief Information Security Officers,
- Cybersecurity Architects,
- Cybersecurity Engineers,
- Cybersecurity Specialists,
- Security Analysts,
- Security Auditors,
- Security Consultants,
- Security Managers.
If you are contemplating a certification, consider starting with some CISSP classes for preparation.
CISSP-ISSMP Salary in 2024
As far as salaries go, a lot depends upon individual skills, so the better you are at what you do, the more the demand and price tag on your skills. With that said, there are other determinants of CISSP ISSMP salaries too, such as location, industry, and job role.
Here’s a snapshot:
1. Average CISSP-ISSMP Certification Salary
On average, CISSP-ISSMP-certified professionals earn a salary of $140,340. However, as mentioned above, the actual numbers will differ based on experience, location, industry, and job role. For instance, a data security manager draws anything from $70,700 to $219,000 per year, while a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) typically earn between $66,800 and $218,000 annually.
2. CISSP-ISSMP Certification Salary: Based on Experience
Experience is one of the top determinants of any pay package. As far as CISSP-ISSMP goes, skill holds far more weight than experience. Here’s a look at the typical earnings of ISSMP professionals starting with CISSP ISSMP entry-level salary:
Level | No. of years' Experience | Approximate Annual Salary |
Fresher | < 1year experience | $89000 |
Beginner | 1 – 4 years experience | $92,000 |
Intermediate | 5-9 years experience | $105,000 |
Advanced | 10 years or more experience | $117,000 |
3. CISSP-ISSMP Certification Salary: Based on Location
Salaries may also vary depending upon which country you live in and the eco-dynamics of that country. Below are the approximate salaries top companies in various countries pay, beginning with CISSP ISSMP salary in India.
A. India
City | Top Companies | Average Salary (USD) |
Bengaluru | Infosys, Wipro | $20,000 - $30,000 |
Mumbai | TCS, Accenture | $25,000 - $35,000 |
New Delhi | HCL, IBM | $22,000 - $32,000 |
Chennai | Cognizant, Tech Mahindra | $18,000 - $28,000 |
B. US
City | Top Companies | Average Salary (USD) |
San Francisco | Apple, Google, Facebook | $140,000 - $180,000 |
New York | JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup | $130,000 - $170,000 |
Washington D.C. | Microsoft, Amazon | $120,000 - $160,000 |
Seattle | Boeing, T-Mobile | $120,000 - $160,000 |
C. UK
City | Top Companies | Average Salary (USD) |
London | Barclays, HSBC | $80,000 - $110,000 |
Manchester | Deloitte, PwC | $70,000 - $100,000 |
Edinburgh | RBS, Standard Life | $65,000 - $95,000 |
Birmingham | KPMG, Accenture | $60,000 - $90,000 |
D. Australia
City | Top Companies | Average Salary (USD) |
Sydney | Commonwealth Bank, Westpac | $100,000 - $140,000 |
Melbourne | ANZ, NAB | $90,000 - $130,000 |
Brisbane | Suncorp, Telstra | $80,000 - $120,000 |
Perth | Woodside, BHP Billiton | $80,000 - $120,000 |
E. Canada
City | Top Companies | Average Salary (USD) |
Toronto | RBC, TD Bank | $90,000 - $130,000 |
Vancouver | Telus, Lululemon | $80,000 - $120,000 |
Calgary | Suncor, Shaw | $80,000 - $120,000 |
Montreal | Bombardier, CGI | $70,000 - $110,000 |
F. Singapore
City | Top Companies | Average Salary (USD) |
Singapore | DBS, Singtel | $70,000 - $100,000 |
Woodlands | ST Engineering | $60,000 - $90,000 |
Jurong East | CapitaLand, Keppel | $60,000 - $90,000 |
Tampines | Changi Airport, Certis | $60,000 - $90,000 |
4. CISSP-ISSMP Salary: Based on Industry
Cyber security is not limited to IT alone but applies to every industry that utilizes information technology. However, every industry has different needs, and hence, the average ISSMP salary may vary from one industry to another.
Industry | Average Salary |
Financial Services | $120,000 - $160,000 |
Technology | $110,000 - $150,000 |
Government/Defense | $100,000 - $130,000 |
Healthcare | $95,000 - $130,000 |
Consulting | $90,000 - $120,000 |
5. CISSP-ISSMP Salary: Based on Job Roles
As mentioned above, a CISSP-ISSMP-certified professional can work in different job roles and industries. The salary will, therefore, vary depending on the specific job role, organizational structure, and hierarchy. Here’s a look:
Job Role | Average Salary |
Information Security Manager | $120,000 - $160,000 |
Security Consultant | $110,000 - $150,000 |
IT Risk Manager | $100,000 - $140,000 |
Chief Information Security Officer | $150,000 - $200,000 |
Security Architect | $110,000 - $150,000 |
6. CISSP-ISSMP Salary: Based on Skills
When it comes to IT professionals, your hands-on skills hold more weight than the number of years of experience you have. Of course, experience helps in upskilling, but that is not the only way to do so. You can enroll in some Cyber Security courses online and spend time honing your skills.
Nevertheless, here’s a look at the approximate CISSP-ISSMP salary based on skill level:
Skill Level | National salary data |
Novice | $67,739 |
Knowledgeable | $93,318 |
Adept | $101,595 |
Well versed | $102,591 |
Expert | $105,825 |
7. CISSP-ISSMP Salary: Based on Education
Qualifying for CISSP-ISSMP requires an experience of 5 years in at least two areas of info-sec. If not, an experience of at least four years coupled with a college degree is required. You can review the detailed eligibility criteria on the ISC2 website.
Considering the high level of education required, the certificate naturally draws a high salary.
Factors Affecting CISSP-ISSMP Salary
We’ve already seen how factors like industry, location, experience, and expertise can significantly impact the salary of a CISSP-ISSMP-certified professional. Here’s a deeper dive into these factors.
- Location: Different countries have different pay scales depending on socio-economic and other factors. This is why the average ISSMP salary is different for different countries, cities, and states.
- Industry/Employer/Company: Different industries place different values on cyber security and privacy. Moreover, the size of the business, the business model, and the volume of data processed also influence the need for data security. Thus, industry, employer, or company can also influence the salary of CISSP-ISSMP professionals.
- Experience: Experience is essential in any role. While there is an experience (hence salary) gap between different cyber security professionals, CISSP-ISSMP professionals are expected to have the highest-paying jobs as they are experienced in all—tech skills, aptitude, and approach.
- Demand and Supply: Demand and supply are the eternal determinants of price – even the price of skill and expertise. However, the demand for information system security professionals is rising with ubiquitous digitization. With rising demand, CISSP ISSMP professionals have become a vital asset and their salary is also expected to escalate. Consequently, the systems and cyber security market is also witnessing a surge in the supply of such professionals.
- Credentials/Certifications: Many employers demand CISSP-ISSMP certification as a prerequisite for employment. Getting certified may suffice to become a cybersecurity professional, but more is needed to land a handsome package. There are many other certifications and credentials that you can seek after CISSP-ISSMP to gain more knowledge of different systems and technologies. You may explore CISM, CCISO, or CISA to enhance your salary further.
- Skills: Employers value professionals with practical cyber security experience and deep cyber security knowledge and stay updated with industry trends. Hence, while CISSP-ISSMP-certified professionals attract high salaries, you can escalate your salary even further if you are skilled at what you do.
How to Improve CISSP-ISSMP-certified Professional Salary?
Upskill. That’s the one-word answer to escalating your salary. Apart from that, given the speed at which technology advances, you should catch up on discoveries and innovations in your area of interest and expertise. Besides, you may also decide to go for specializations within the domain or other related certifications like ISSEP and ISSAP.
Moreover, salary is one of many things you want to escalate; the focus should be on upskilling and advancing your career. Thus, adopt a skill-based learning approach to everything you do and enhance your skill set.
Why are CISSP-ISSMP-certified Professionals Paid So Much?
Several factors drive the high salaries of CISSP-ISSMP-certified professionals.
- First, a high-level certification requires a preliminary CISSP certification and two years of work experience in relevant domains. This means certified professionals have already demonstrated their expertise and experience in information security management. On average, members of (ISC)², which include CISSP-ISSMP-certified professionals, earn more than non-members. This indicates that the certification is highly valued by employers, leading to higher salaries.
- Furthermore, cyber security salaries, in general, are among the highest in the IT industry, and professionals with security certifications tend to earn significantly more than those without certifications. Therefore, combining specialized knowledge, leadership skills, and high demand in the cyber security field contributes to the higher pay for CISSP-ISSMP-certified professionals.
Salary Growth and Projections
Let us look at some fast facts.
- The US Bureau of Labor and Services, or BLS, projects a growth of about 35% in demand for cybersecurity professionals by 2031.
- Moreover, Forbes reports that the unemployment rate for cyber security professionals was 0% in 2016 and has not risen since then.
- Forbes also reports Cybercrime magazine’s projection of 3.5 million jobs in the cyber security industry by 2025.
In light of these predictions and considering that CISSP is a highly valued certification, the demand for CISSP-ISSMP professionals is almost certain to escalate, and so will their salaries.
This, by itself, serves as evidence of the optimistic growth forecasts.
Conclusion
The high demand for skilled information security management experts and the projected salary growth has driven a demand for CISSP-ISSMP-certified professionals. This certification can be an excellent starting place for lucrative opportunities in information security management with competitive salaries.
Once certified, going beyond ISSMP with additional certifications, advanced degrees, and relevant experience can further improve salary and career prospects. While the career path may seem daunting, with KnowledgeHut's CISSP certification prep course, you can begin your preparation for a fulfilling career in systems and cyber security.
