CISSP resources: Free books, videos, practice exams and other study tools

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional, or CISSP certification, is intended for cybersecurity professionals who want to go above and beyond the basics of cybersecurity and advance their careers. Earning your CISSP verifies that you are someone in the middle or later stages of your cybersecurity career who can design, implement and manage an effective cybersecurity program for an organization. 

As the most requested certification by hiring managers, it demonstrates to potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge to assume a leadership role in their IT department potentially. To earn this certification, you will have to pass the CISSP exam. 

A good study resource can make all the difference when preparing for an exam, and the CISSP certification exam is no different. There are several ways to prepare for the exam, and figuring out where to start and what to use can be hard. So, in this guide, we'll go through the CISSP study resources you can use to prepare. We'll explore the different books, CISSP practice exam materials and online study materials that can make the difference between earning a passing score and having to retake the exam. 

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Free CISSP exam prep course 

The CISSP is a unique exam that requires a unique mindset. As Infosec CISSP instructor Steve Allen explains, the CISSP exam is unlike a math test with clear yes or no answers. In fact, sometimes every option is partially correct — and it’s your job to pick the BEST answer.  

Understanding how to approach the exam is a great place to start, and this free one-hour CISSP course features advice that has led to students having a 95% pass rate. If you have questions about how the CISSP exam works or how to approach it, start here. 

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Free podcasts and videos 

It can be easy to underestimate the plethora of online free video content. CISSP subject matter experts have posted many hours of videos that guide you through the intricacies of the exam. 

For example, the Cyber Work Podcast and Cyber Work Hacks both feature cybersecurity leaders, practitioners and instructors who share their advice on how to gain an edge as you approach your exam prep. For instance, they discuss topics such as new developments in the updated version of the CISSP exam and tips for passing. 

In this episode of Cyber Work Hacks, instructor Steve Spearman gives his top tips and tricks for taking the CISSP exam. 

You can also search for yourself on YouTube and TikTok, including the Infosec YouTube channel, which has a range of helpful resources to both simplify the exam and position you to pass. 

Free online CISSP practice questions 

CISSP practice exams are designed to introduce you to the exam's content and structure. They make it easier to gauge how you'll perform on the real exam because they use similar language and address the same subject matter. 

It's important to grasp the material the exam covers and the kinds of thinking it is designed to assess.  

"This is a management exam, so the highest order answer is almost always the correct answer,” explains Spearman. "In a question, if you have an option between two-factor authentication and developing a policy, 'policy' is the highest order answer. It's likely going to be the correct answer." These kinds of specific tips can clear up much of the fog around the exam that may confuse some test takers. 

Platforms like Infosec Skills come with CISSP practice exams designed to hone your test-taking skills. Anyone can create a free account, which includes 7-days of free access to helpful questions. 

Another resource some find useful is ISC2's free quiz. Although it has only 10 items, it serves as a good starting point, at least for getting your feet wet. 

CISSP books and study guides 

To get focused, step-by-step guidance, a CISSP study book may be an effective option, especially if you want to go the self-prep route. Some popular options include: 

• ISC2 CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide (Sybex) 
• ISC2 CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Practice Tests (Sybex) 
• The Official ISC2 CISSP CBK Reference (Sybex) 

While a CISSP official study guide isn't free, the above options may be worth the investment because they give you a solid foundation upon which to build a passing score. They also make it easier to determine how long to study for CISSP because you can base your schedule of sessions on the book's contents. In some cases, you may be able to find them at your local library, where you can borrow them for free. 

Cybersecurity communities 

There are multiple cybersecurity communities whose members and resources can help you earn a higher score. Some include: 

• TechExams: This is a forum dedicated to IT certification. Users share exam techniques and practice questions to help each other earn higher scores. 
• Reddit: Reddit has several communities that can be helpful, but r/CISSP and r/Cybersecurity may be especially helpful because their members can provide CISSP-specific guidance. 
• LinkedIn groups: LinkedIn has several communities that may be helpful, such as the CISSP group. 

You can also browse through a variety of other social groups found on social networks across the internet. For example, there are both Facebook groups and Discord channels dedicated to supporting those taking the CISSP exam. 

By interacting with the community, you can get a candid view of not only what the test is like but also inside tips from those who've passed it already. You can also glean insights from those who've failed and pitfalls to avoid. 

Infosec has collected tips from both students and instructors regarding how to boost your score, and we've compiled them in a helpful ebook called “CISSP exam tips and tricks.” 

CISSP training videos 

While most CISSP training videos require a fee, you also have some free options. For instance, when joining the Infosec Skills site, you get a 7-day free trial. Therefore, if you can get through all the training materials in a week, you can score a free video prep course. 

There are other providers as well, each with its own approach and costs. 

Paid CISSP training 

In many cases, free resources simply aren't enough. This is when a live CISSP Boot Camp or paid, on-demand videos are the best option.  

In a live boot camp, you get targeted, intense CISSP training over the course of a few days. This puts you in a position to go from very little exam knowledge to being able to get a passing score within a week or less. 

Earn your CISSP, guaranteed!

Get live, expert CISSP training from anywhere. Enroll now to claim your Exam Pass Guarantee!

Get Pricing

Start building your CISSP foundation now 

With a CISSP certification, you earn a cybersecurity badge of honor respected by organizations around the world. In today's skills-first job market, this gives you a clear advantage over other applicants who may have few, if any, artifacts that provide indelible proof of their knowledge.  

Still not sure where to start? Download the free Infosec CISSP ebook and enroll in the free one-hour CISSP course.