CISM vs CISSP
| CISM ISACA | CISSP ISC2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Management · Advanced | Management · Advanced |
| Price | $760 Non-member price (USD 575 for ISACA members). Requires 5 years of experience. | $749 Exam only. Requires 5 years of experience (otherwise you become an Associate). |
| Study hours | 120–200 h | 150–250 h |
| Real difficulty | ●●●○○ | ●●●●○ |
| Exam | Multiple choice Length: 4 h | Multiple choice Length: 3 h |
| Validity | 3 years (credits + fee) | 3 years (credits + USD 135/year) |
| Job ads in United States | – | – |
| Avg. salary | – | – |
| Index | – | – |
| Summary | For managing security programmes: governance, risk and incidents. Very well paid, but not an entry-level cert. | The most requested management certification and one of the best paid. Covers 8 domains, from architecture to compliance. Aimed at experienced professionals. |
Highlighted: the best in that row.