All certifications / Compare / CISSP vs SecurityX
CISSP vs SecurityX: which should you take?
Which first?
Either order works. Pick the one that matches the role you want next; many senior people eventually hold both.
Who each one is for
CISSP (2024 outline): Experienced professionals moving into security leadership, management or program design.
SecurityX (CAS-005): Senior practitioners who want to stay technical: security architects and engineers.
Key differences
- CISSP requires five years of paid experience in at least two of its eight domains (one year can be waived); SecurityX recommends extensive experience but doesn't require proof.
- CISSP questions often ask what a manager should do first; SecurityX questions include hands-on scenarios and performance-based items.
- CISSP is the most requested senior security certification in job postings.
Side by side
| Item | CISSP | SecurityX |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | ISC2 | CompTIA |
| Exam | 2024 outline | CAS-005 |
| Questions | 100–150 (computerized adaptive testing) | Maximum of 90 (multiple choice and performance-based) |
| Time | 180 minutes | 165 minutes |
| To pass | 700 out of 1000 | Pass/fail only (no scaled score is reported) |
| Free study plan here | – | – |
| Career tracks | Cybersecurity | Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Administration |
Exam domains
CISSP (2024 outline)
- Security & risk management 16%
- Asset security 10%
- Security architecture & engineering 13%
- Communication & network security 13%
- Identity & access management 13%
- Security assessment & testing 12%
- Security operations 13%
- Software development security 10%
SecurityX (CAS-005)
- Governance, risk and compliance 20%
- Security architecture 27%
- Security engineering 31%
- Security operations 22%
Exam details come from each vendor's published objectives as recorded in the study plans; confirm them on the vendor's page before you book.
Study either one for free
Week-by-week lessons, quizzes, exam simulations and hands-on labs.
CISSP plan SecurityX planWeek-by-week lessons, quizzes, exam simulations and hands-on labs.