ISACA CISM Exam (Certified Information Security Manager) Detailed Information
Enhance your competitive advantage
Demonstrate your information security management expertise.
The uniquely management-focused
CISM certification promotes international security practices and recognizes the individual who manages designs, and oversees and assesses an enterprise’s information security.
ISACA Certifications
Open Doors
View Infographic
View Testimonial
Key Exam Registration Dates:
10 December 2016 Exam
7 June 2016 Registration Opens
19 August 2016 Early Registration Deadline
26 October 2016
Final Registration Deadline
Registration for the December exam is closed.
Get Connected!
Join fellow IT professionals in the Knowledge Center to discuss these Information Security topics:
Access Control
Identity Management
Information Security Management
Information Security Policies/Procedures
Intrusion Prevention/Detection
Network Security
Physical Security
Security Tools
Security Trends
How to Earn Your
CISM
To learn more about obtaining your
CISM, click on the steps below.
Step 1: Register for the Exam »
Step 2: Prepare for the Exam »
Step 3: Take the Exam »
Step 4: Apply for Certification »
Step 5: Maintain a Certification »
CISM in the News
ARN: What are the top tech skills of the Aussie channel?
HIT Leaders & News: New and expanding roles in healthcare IT leadership
TechWorm: Best 5 IT Security Certifications
A closer look at the Certified Information Security Manager certification
ISACA Certifies 30,000th
CISM
More »
CISA,
CISM, CGEIT and CRISC Approved
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has accredited the
CISM certification program under ISO/IEC 17024:2012, General Requirements for Bodies Operating Certification Systems of Persons. ANSI, a private, nonprofit organization, accredits other organizations to serve as third-party product, system and personnel certifiers. ISACA is proud to be recognized with this international standard of performance.
In accordance with the ISO standard, ISACA understands the importance of impartiality and commits to act impartially in carrying out its certification activities, managing conflicts of interest and ensuring the objectivity of its certification activities.
certified information security manager (
CISM)
Posted by: Margaret Rouse
WhatIs.com
Contributor(s): Sharon Shea
Sponsored News
ABC’s of VDI in 2016
–Dell
Optimizing Your Microsoft® Investments Through Managed Services
–Rackspace
See More
Vendor Resources
Privacy and Big Data
–ComputerWeekly.com
Information Security Magazine Online July/August Issue – Demystifying APT: Get ...
–Information Security Magazine
Certified Information Security Manager (
CISM) is a certification offered by ISACA, a nonprofit, independent association that advocates for professionals involved in information security, assurance, risk management and governance.
Download this free guide
Download Your Guide to the ISACA
CISM Certification
Take a closer look at the ISACA Certified Information Security Manager certification, including the value it provides security professionals, how it compares to other security professionals, and what the CSX program offers
Start Download
CISM is an advanced certification that provides validation for individuals who have demonstrated they possess the knowledge and experience required to develop and manage an enterprise information security program. The certification intended for information security managers, aspiring managers or IT consultants who support information security program management. It is accredited by ANSI under ISO/IEC 17024:2003.
To become certified, applicants must successfully pass a 200-question multiple-choice exam, which covers four content areas:
Information security management
Information risk management and compliance
Information security program development and management
Information security incident management
To qualify for the exam, applicants must have five years of verified experience in the infosec field, with a minimum of three years of infosec management experience in three or more of the
CISM content areas. Experience must be gained within a 10-year period preceding the application date or within five years from the date of passing the exam.
CISM certification holders must adhere to ISACA's Code of Professional Ethics, agree to comply with ISACA's continuing education policy and satisfy work experience requirements. To maintain
CISM certification, individuals must sustain an adequate level of knowledge and proficiency in the field of information systems security management, complete 20 CPE hours annually and follow ISACA's Code of Ethics.
PRO+
Content
Find more PRO+ content and other member only offers, here.
E-Handbook
Runtime application self-protection from A to Z
E-Handbook
New tactics for better endpoint security threat prevention
E-Zine
Identity of things moves beyond manufacturing
This was last updated in April 2014
Continue Reading About certified information security manager (
CISM)
Information system security certification: Detailed list of certs
Experienced security pro ponders taking the ISSMP or
CISM cert
CISM vs. CISSP
CISM and CISSP certification for the channel
The scope of the
CISM
Related Terms
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Certified Information Systems Auditor is a credential that demonstrates an IT professional's ability to assess risk and institute... See complete definition
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an information security certification developed by the ... See complete definition
Common Body of Knowledge (CBK)
The (ISC)2 Common Body of Knowledge is a framework of security subjects relevant to security professionals and used in (ISC)2 ... See complete definition
Course preview
Certified Information Security Manager(
CISM)
Domain 00 - Introduction to
CISM 06:59
0.1 Introduction Preview 00:18
0.2 Introduction to
CISM® Preview 00:47
0.3 Objectives Preview 00:31
0.4 About ISACA® 01:19
0.5 ISACA® Certifications 00:36
0.6 Value of
CISM® Preview 01:09
0.7 Requirements for
CISM® Designations 00:42
0.8
CISM® Domains
0.9
CISM® Exam 00:48
0.10 Quiz
0.11 Summary 00:40
0.12 Conclusion 00:09
Domain 01 - Information Security Governance 56:09
Domain 02 - Information Risks Management and Compliance 52:08
Domain 03 - Information Security Program Development and Management 1:06:43
Domain 04 - Information Security Incident Management 54:15
Exam & certification
How do you become a
CISM certified professional?
To be a certified
CISM professional, you need to meet the following requirements:
Successful completion of the
CISM examination
Adherence to the ISACA Code of Professional Ethics
Agree to comply with the Continuing Education Policy.
Work experience in the field of information security
Submit an Application for
CISM Certification
CISM Certification:
Demonstrates your understanding of the relationship between an information security program and broader business goals and objectives
Distinguishes you as having not only information security expertise, but also knowledge and experience in the development and management of an information security program
Puts you in an elite peer network
Is considered essential to ongoing education, career progression and value delivery to enterprises.
Why Employers Hire
CISMs?
Enterprises and government agencies increasingly recognize, require and expect their IS and IT professionals to hold
CISM certification. .
CISM employees:
Identify critical issues and customize company-specific practices to support the governance of information and related technologies
Bring credibility to the enterprise for which they are employed
Take a comprehensive view of information systems security management and their relationship to organizational success
Demonstrate to enterprise customers their commitment to compliance, security and integrity; ultimately contributing to the attraction and retention of customers
Ensure that there is improved alignment between the organization's information security program and its broader goals and objectives
Provide the enterprise with a certification for Information security management that is recognized by multinational clients and enterprises, lending credibility to the enterprise
CISM Certification Job Practice
The current
CISM exam covers 4 information security management areas, each of which is further defined and detailed through Task & Knowledge statements. The four new domain headings of the 2017 Job Practice are relatively the same; however, the exam specifications (weighting) have shifted slightly.
Following is a brief description of these areas, their definitions and approximate percentage of test questions allocated to each area. These areas and statements were approved by the
CISM Certification Working Group and represent a job practice analysis of the work performed by information security managers as validated by prominent industry leaders, subject matter experts and industry practitioners.
The below job practice is organized by domains that will be tested for the first time in 2017. Also, starting in 2017, the
CISM exam will contain 150 questions testing the new job practice.
Job Practice Domains
The job practice domains and task and knowledge statements are as follows:
Domain 1—Information Security Governance (24%)
Domain 2—Information Risk Management (30%)
Domain 3—Information Security Program Development and Management (27%)
Domain 4—Information Security Incident Management (19%)
Domain 1—Information Security Governance
Establish and/or maintain an information security governance framework and supporting processes to ensure that the information security strategy is aligned with organizational goals and objectives. (24%)
Task Statements
1.1 Establish and/or maintain an information security strategy in alignment with organizational goals and objectives to guide the establishment and/or ongoing management of the information security program.
1.2 Establish and/or maintain an information security governance framework to guide activities that support the information security strategy.
1.3 Integrate information security governance into corporate governance to ensure that organizational goals and objectives are supported by the information security program.
1.4 Establish and maintain information security policies to guide the development of standards, procedures and guidelines in alignment with enterprise goals and objectives.
1.5 Develop business cases to support investments in information security.
1.6 Identify internal and external influences to the organization (e.g., emerging technologies, social media, business environment, risk tolerance, regulatory requirements, third-party considerations, threat landscape) to ensure that these factors are continually addressed by the information security strategy.
1.7 Gain ongoing commitment from senior leadership and other stakeholders to support the successful implementation of the information security strategy.
1.8 Define, communicate, and monitor information security responsibilities throughout the organization (e.g., data owners, data custodians, end users, privileged or high-risk users) and lines of authority.
1.9 Establish, monitor, evaluate and report key information security metrics to provide management with accurate and meaningful information regarding the effectiveness of the information security strategy.
Knowledge Statements
k1.1 Knowledge of techniques used to develop an information security strategy (e.g., SWOT [strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats] analysis, gap analysis, threat research)
k1.2 Knowledge of the relationship of information security to business goals, objectives, functions, processes and practices
k1.3 Knowledge of available information security governance frameworks
k1.4 Knowledge of globally recognized standards, frameworks and industry best practices related to information security governance and strategy development
k1.5 Knowledge of the fundamental concepts of governance and how they relate to information security
k1.6 Knowledge of methods to assess, plan, design and implement an information security governance framework
k1.7 Knowledge of methods to integrate information security governance into corporate governance
k1.8 Knowledge of contributing factors and parameters (e.g., organizational structure and culture, tone at the top, regulations) for information security policy development
k1.9 Knowledge of content in, and techniques to develop, business cases
k1.10 Knowledge of strategic budgetary planning and reporting methods
k1.11 Knowledge of the internal and external influences to the organization (e.g., emerging technologies, social media, business environment, risk tolerance, regulatory requirements, third-party considerations, threat landscape) and how they impact the information security strategy
k1.12 Knowledge of key information needed to obtain commitment from senior leadership and support from other stakeholders (e.g., how information security supports organizational goals and objectives, criteria for determining successful implementation, business impact)
k1.13 Knowledge of methods and considerations for communicating with senior leadership and other stakeholders (e.g., organizational culture, channels of communication, highlighting essential aspects of information security)
k1.14 Knowledge of roles and responsibilities of the information security manager
k1.15 Knowledge of organizational structures, lines of authority and escalation points
k1.16 Knowledge of information security responsibilities of staff across the organization (e.g., data owners, end users, privileged or high-risk users)
k1.17 Knowledge of processes to monitor performance of information security responsibilities
k1.18 Knowledge of methods to establish new, or utilize existing, reporting and communication channels throughout an organization
k1.19 Knowledge of methods to select, implement and interpret key information security metrics (e.g., key goal indicators [KGIs], key performance indicators [KPIs], key risk indicators [KRIs])
Domain 2—Information Risk Management
Manage information risk to an acceptable level based on risk appetite in order to meet organizational goals and objectives. (30%)
Task Statements
2.1 Establish and/or maintain a process for information asset classification to ensure that measures taken to protect assets are proportional to their business value.
2.2 Identify legal, regulatory, organizational and other applicable requirements to manage the risk of noncompliance to acceptable levels.
2.3 Ensure that risk assessments, vulnerability assessments and threat analyses are conducted consistently, at appropriate times, and to identify and assess risk to the organization’s information.
2.4 Identify, recommend or implement appropriate risk treatment/response options to manage risk to acceptable levels based on organizational risk appetite.
2.5 Determine whether information security controls are appropriate and effectively manage risk to an acceptable level.
2.6 Facilitate the integration of information risk management into business and IT processes (e.g., systems development, procurement, project management) to enable a consistent and comprehensive information risk management program across the organization.
2.7 Monitor for internal and external factors (e.g., key risk indicators [KRIs], threat landscape, geopolitical, regulatory change) that may require reassessment of risk to ensure that changes to existing, or new, risk scenarios are identified and managed appropriately.
2.8 Report noncompliance and other changes in information risk to facilitate the risk management decision-making process.
2.9 Ensure that information security risk is reported to senior management to support an understanding of potential impact on the organizational goals and objectives.
Knowledge Statements
k2.1 Knowledge of methods to establish an information asset classification model consistent with business objectives
k2.2 Knowledge of considerations for assigning ownership of information assets and risk
k2.3 Knowledge of methods to identify and evaluate the impact of internal or external events on information assets and the business
k2.4 Knowledge of methods used to monitor internal or external risk factors
k2.5 Knowledge of information asset valuation methodologies
k2.6 Knowledge of legal, regulatory, organizational and other requirements related to information security
k2.7 Knowledge of reputable, reliable and timely sources of information regarding emerging information security threats and vulnerabilities
k2.8 Knowledge of events that may require risk reassessments and changes to information security program elements
k2.9 Knowledge of information threats, vulnerabilities and exposures and their evolving nature
k2.10 Knowledge of risk assessment and analysis methodologies
k2.11 Knowledge of methods used to prioritize risk scenarios and risk treatment/response options
k2.12 Knowledge of risk reporting requirements (e.g., frequency, audience, content)
k2.13 Knowledge of risk treatment/response options (avoid, mitigate, accept or transfer) and methods to apply them
k2.14 Knowledge of control baselines and standards and their relationships to risk assessments
k2.15 Knowledge of information security controls and the methods to analyze their effectiveness
k2.16 Knowledge of gap analysis techniques as related to information security
k2.17 Knowledge of techniques for integrating information security risk management into business and IT processes
k2.18 Knowledge of compliance reporting requirements and processes
k2.19 Knowledge of cost/benefit analysis to assess risk treatment options
Domain 3—Information Security Program Development and Management
Manage information risk to an acceptable level based on risk appetite in order to meet organizational goals and objectives. (27%)
Task Statements
3.1 Establish and/or maintain the information security program in alignment with the information security strategy.
3.2 Align the information security program with the operational objectives of other business functions (e.g., human resources [HR], accounting, procurement and IT) to ensure that the information security program adds value to and protects the business.
3.3 Identify, acquire and manage requirements for internal and external resources to execute the information security program.
3.4 Establish and maintain information security processes and resources (including people and technologies) to execute the information security program in alignment with the organization’s business goals.
3.5 Establish, communicate and maintain organizational information security standards, guidelines, procedures and other documentation to guide and enforce compliance with information security policies.
3.6 Establish, promote and maintain a program for information security awareness and training to foster an effective security culture.
3.7 Integrate information security requirements into organizational processes (e.g., change control, mergers and acquisitions, system development, business continuity, disaster recovery) to maintain the organization’s security strategy.
3.8 Integrate information security requirements into contracts and activities of third parties (e.g., joint ventures, outsourced providers, business partners, customers) and monitor adherence to established requirements in order to maintain the organization’s security strategy.
3.9 Establish, monitor and analyze program management and operational metrics to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the information security program.
3.10 Compile and present reports to key stakeholders on the activities, trends and overall effectiveness of the IS program and the underlying business processes in order to communicate security performance.
Knowledge Statements
k3.1 Knowledge of methods to align information security program requirements with those of other business functions
k3.2 Knowledge of methods to identify, acquire, manage and define requirements for internal and external resources
k3.3 Knowledge of current and emerging information security technologies and underlying concepts
k3.4 Knowledge of methods to design and implement information security controls
k3.5 Knowledge of information security processes and resources (including people and technologies) in alignment with the organization’s business goals and methods to apply them
k3.6 Knowledge of methods to develop information security standards, procedures and guidelines
k3.7 Knowledge of internationally recognized regulations, standards, frameworks and best practices related to information security program development and management
k3.8 Knowledge of methods to implement and communicate information security policies, standards, procedures and guidelines
k3.9 Knowledge of training, certifications and skill set development for information security personnel
k3.10 Knowledge of methods to establish and maintain effective information security awareness and training programs
k3.11 Knowledge of methods to integrate information security requirements into organizational processes (e.g., access management, change management, audit processes)
k3.12 Knowledge of methods to incorporate information security requirements into contracts, agreements and third-party management processes
k3.13 Knowledge of methods to monitor and review contracts and agreements with third parties and associated change processes as required
k3.14 Knowledge of methods to design, implement and report operational information security metrics
k3.15 Knowledge of methods for testing the effectiveness and efficiency of information security controls
k3.16 Knowledge of techniques to communicate information security program status to key stakeholders
Domain 4—Information Security Incident Management
Plan, establish and manage the capability to detect, investigate, respond to and recover from information security incidents to minimize business impact. (19%)
Task Statements
4.1 Establish and maintain an organizational definition of, and severity hierarchy for, information security incidents to allow accurate classification and categorization of and response to incidents.
4.2 Establish and maintain an incident response plan to ensure an effective and timely response to information security incidents.
4.3 Develop and implement processes to ensure the timely identification of information security incidents that could impact the business.
4.4 Establish and maintain processes to investigate and document information security incidents in order to determine the appropriate response and cause while adhering to legal, regulatory and organizational requirements.
4.5 Establish and maintain incident notification and escalation processes to ensure that the appropriate stakeholders are involved in incident response management.
4.6 Organize, train and equip incident response teams to respond to information security incidents in an effective and timely manner.
4.7 Test, review and revise (as applicable) the incident response plan periodically to ensure an effective response to information security incidents and to improve response capabilities.
4.8 Establish and maintain communication plans and processes to manage communication with internal and external entities.
4.9 Conduct postincident reviews to determine the root cause of information security incidents, develop corrective actions, reassess risk, evaluate response effectiveness and take appropriate remedial actions.
4.10 Establish and maintain integration among the incident response plan, business continuity plan and disaster recovery plan.
Knowledge Statements
k4.1 Knowledge of incident management concepts and practices
k4.2 Knowledge of the components of an incident response plan
k4.3 Knowledge of business continuity planning (BCP) and disaster recovery planning (DRP) and their relationship to the incident response plan
k4.4 Knowledge of incident classification/categorization methods
k4.5 Knowledge of incident containment methods to minimize adverse operational impact
k4.6 Knowledge of notification and escalation processes
k4.7 Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities in identifying and managing information security incidents
k4.8 Knowledge of the types and sources of training, tools and equipment required to adequately equip incident response teams
k4.9 Knowledge of forensic requirements and capabilities for collecting, preserving and presenting evidence (e.g., admissibility, quality and completeness of evidence, chain of custody)
k4.10 Knowledge of internal and external incident reporting requirements and procedures
k4.11 Knowledge of postincident review practices and investigative methods to identify root causes and determine corrective actions
k4.12 Knowledge of techniques to quantify damages, costs and other business impacts arising from information security incidents
k4.13 Knowledge of technologies and processes to detect, log, analyze and document information security events
k4.14 Knowledge of internal and external resources available to investigate information security incidents
k4.15 Knowledge of methods to identify and quantify the potential impact of changes made to the operating environment during the incident response process
k4.16 Knowledge of techniques to test the incident response plan
k4.17 Knowledge of applicable regulatory, legal and organization requirements
k4.18 Knowledge of key indicators/metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the incident response plan
