CISSP Live OnLine training: a new offering from AISA

5 September 2016

The globally-recognised CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) credential validates an Information Security professional’s technical knowledge and understanding of information security issues. But there is a large body of knowledge to study and an exam to pass, as well as practical experience requirements to be met, before one can gain the highly sought-after CISSP accreditation.

The Australian Information Security Association (AISA) has partnered with (ISC)² to offer its members enrolment into a CISSP Live OnLine training course at a reduced price.

Andrew Bidwell, an Identity and Access Management specialist for KPMG,  enrolled in AISA’s first offering of the CISSP Live OnLine course with a few of his colleagues, which meant the online discussions continued in the workplace. “It is a great way to thrash out some of the discussion points,” says Bidwell. The course is also recorded allowing students to catch up in their own time if they miss a lesson, which is convenient for people who have other commitments. 

Matthew Lange, Program Architect leading the Information Security investment program at AusPost, intended to self-study for the CISSP exam, but with a young family and busy work life finding the time was difficult. “This course provided a means to kick start the learning process and provides a head start for the remaining self-study required to pass the exam” he says. The convenience of the online course means that Mr Lange can “come home from work, have dinner with the family and then duck into the study.”

The attendance is varied across Australia, which Mr Bidwell says provides unique viewpoints during discussions. “I find hearing other attendee’s experiences of most interest,” he says.

“There are lots of real-world views being provided to add good context to the material being presented,” says Lange.

Any difficult questions that arise are resolved in each subsequent lesson and support is available from authorised instructors. One of those instructors is long-time AISA member Jodie Siganto, who is also an active AISA Policy Committee member and part of AISA’s Education Workgroup. A CISSP since 2004, Siganto has had to become familiar with a large body of knowledge in order to teach the course but says that not everyone can be an expert in all areas. Siganto says instructors have to be able to accommodate a variety of people with a range of needs, “some of whom know way more than you about some of the subject matter and others who have more limited exposure to that topic.”

Mark Gill, an information security consultant and CISSP Study Group coordinator who teaches half of the course with Ms Signato, says he gets great satisfaction out of seeing students pass the initially daunting exam. 

“I'm grateful to all of the AISA volunteers over the years who helped contribute much time and energy to make the CISSP Study Groups such a wonderful mix of conceptual learning backed up by real depth of experience,” says Mr Gill, adding “The study groups also allow people new to the industry to network and find inspiring mentors.”

The online format can also present a challenge for instructors who are used to teaching face-to-face in a classroom. Despite this, however, Siganto says running the course is very rewarding. 

“The people who do the course are always interesting, the interaction is fantastic and there are some great stories from people about their experiences in different organisations,” she says. “It's also great when people who've done the training sit and pass the exam.  I feel like I've contributed a little bit to growing the skills of our community.”

The CISSP Live OnLine training course is intended for professionals with a minimum of five years’ recent paid full-time work experience in two or more of the domains of the CISSP CBK. 

The live OnLine Seminars are led by authorised instructors and the course is delivered in two 2.5-hour sessions per week over 5-8 weeks, usually during the evenings.

Asked if the course was good value for money Lange says it is, considering “week-long training courses are normally around $1000 per day,” adding “the materials are good and come with a test exam as well as good revision materials like a glossary and flip cards.”

Find out more

• If you are an AISA member and you are interested in participating in the course or becoming an authorised instructor please contact [email protected]
• To learn more about the course and to check eligibility visit the CISSP Live Online course page (AISA member sign in required)