Achievements

My Path to CISSP Certification

Gabriel Haab

• 2 min read
My Path to CISSP Certification

I wanted to share my experience with the exam and my journey leading up to it. To start, I’ve been a security analyst for just over five years, and this was my first ISC2/management-level certification. While I’ve earned several technical certifications from OffSec, CompTIA, and EC-Council, I saw this exam as a critical step to enhance my resume and move closer to my career goals.

The exam was definitely challenging, particularly with its emphasis on selecting the "BEST" answer. This type of question has always been a weak point for me, so I was constantly second-guessing myself during the test. By the time I reached question 100, I felt almost certain I wouldn’t pass. Still, I prepared myself to push through to 150, with 44 minutes remaining on the timer. To my surprise, the exam ended at question 100, and I received the paper that read "Congratulations." I was overwhelmed with relief and pride. The pressure I put on myself to pass was intense, and seeing the effort pay off was an emotional moment.

My preparation process was thorough and structured. Over two months, I dedicated 2–3 hours each weekday and 4–5 hours on weekends to studying. I integrated studying into my daily routine, bringing materials to work and using breaks to read or tackle practice questions. Altogether, I completed around 2,000 practice questions from PocketPrep and Wiley/Sybex. While none of the practice questions mirrored the exam, they were invaluable in boosting my confidence and exposing gaps in my knowledge.

One of the standout resources during my preparation was ChatGPT. There were times when I struggled to grasp complex concepts, like Kerberos. By asking ChatGPT to explain Kerberos in simple terms, it created a relatable analogy involving amusement park tickets that made the concept click. Beyond explanations, I used ChatGPT’s voice feature for active recall. I asked it to quiz me on each domain and required me to verbally explain answers. For instance, if asked to explain the Bell-LaPadula model, I had to articulate my understanding, and ChatGPT would point out any gaps or inaccuracies. This approach not only solidified my knowledge but also built my confidence in explaining key topics—an essential skill for applying these concepts in the workplace.

Reflecting on this journey, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the material and developed effective study habits. I’m excited to apply these concepts in real-world scenarios and am looking forward to exploring new opportunities once my endorsement is complete.

Here is a list of resources that I used:

Videos/Course

Reading

  • Sybex Official Study Guide - Mike Chapple
  • Destination Cert Study Guide - Rob Witcher
  • Destination Cert Mindmaps printable - Rob Witcher
  • How to Think Like a Manager - Luke Ahmed
  • 11th hour CISSP - Eric Conrad
  • Last Minute Review - CertMike

Practice Tests