“Remember to Practice… 40 Hours a day” – TwoSetViolin
Hey everyone, and welcome to my very first blog post! Since this is the start of what I hope will be a long and helpful journey together, I thought I’d take a moment to introduce myself and share a bit about how I got here and my recent experience earning the CISSP certification.
My Background
My adventure in IT started back in high school, between 2014 and 2016, when I enrolled in the Network Associates program at Southern Oklahoma Technology Center. That early exposure to the world of tech set the stage for everything that came next. Since then, I’ve worn a few different hats—mostly as a Systems Administrator, and now in my current role as a DevOps Platform Engineer.
Education has always been a big part of my journey. I wrapped up my degree in Cyber Security and Assurance at Western Governors University in 2024, and just this past May (2025), I officially became a CISSP. If you’re considering the CISSP, I can’t recommend it enough. The concepts you’ll learn aren’t just for passing a test—they’re foundational for understanding how to align IT with business needs and build robust governance.
What It’s Really Like to Take the CISSP
Let’s be honest: the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam from ISC2 isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a comprehensive, adaptive test that covers a massive range of security topics. While it’s technically possible to pass as a beginner, the real value comes after you’ve spent at least five years working in IT or security roles.
Even with experience, this isn’t a test you can just breeze through. My advice? Study, sleep, repeat. And then study some more.
Tips for Success
Build Your Experience
The CISSP covers eight domains, including Security and Risk Management, Asset Security, Security Architecture and Engineering, and more. You’ll need a solid foundation of experience across these areas to qualify, but I’d recommend having significant hands-on time in one or more domains before taking this test. If you’re just starting out, certifications like CompTIA Security+ or ISC2 SSCP are great stepping stones.
Choose the Right Study Materials
Don’t rely on just one resource. Mix things up with books and video courses. The official “ISC2 CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide” by Mike Chapple is a classic, but I found “Destination CISSP: A Concise Guide” by Rob Witcher to be a more approachable read. I’d suggest reading Witcher’s book cover to cover before you test.
For video learning, Pete Zerger’s free YouTube course, “CISSP Exam Cram Full Course (All 8 Domains),” is a fantastic resource. Watching the videos after reading helped me really lock in the concepts.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Practice tests are your best friend. I used the questions from both Witcher’s guide and the official study guide, but the adaptive practice tests from Quantum Exams (recommended by Pete Zerger) were the most helpful. They adjust to your weak spots and really challenge your understanding
Closing Remarks
The CISSP isn’t just another certification—it’s a toolkit for building better security practices in any organization. If you’re considering taking the plunge, I hope my experiences and these resources help you along the way. Feel free to reach out if you have questions or want to share your own journey. Here’s to learning, growing, and making IT a little more secure 🍻
Resources and Citations:
Chapple, M., & Stewart, J. (Year). ISC2 CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide (Edition). Publisher.
Witcher, R. (Year). Destination CISSP: A Concise Guide. Publisher.
Zerger, P. (2024). CISSP Exam Cram Full Course (All 8 Domains) – Good for 2024 exam! [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nyZhYnCNLA
Perplexity. (2023). Perplexity.ai (AI Chatbot) [Large language model]. https://www.perplexity.ai/
Hendele, T. (n.d.). [Landscape with mountains and trees] [Photograph]. Pixabay. https://pixabay.com/photos/forest-hiking-trees-path-trail-682003/