"Women need examples of other successful women role models or influencers in sustained and upward trending leadership roles to be able to visualise themselves in one."
FAQ
HOW AM I CONTRIBUTING TO THE BROADER GOALS OF THE PROGRAM?
By successfully passing the CISM exam and/or obtaining the CISM certification, your success will encourage and motivate other women, globally to pursue the CISM or other cyber security certifications. If willing, you will be interviewed(via video and publication) after the program to share your success story with other aspiring females for next years program. You will therefore be a catalyst of a global movement of tangible uplift to women's leadership careers!
IS CISM RIGHT FOR ME?
ISACA’s Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification is for those with technical expertise and experience in IS/IT security and control and wants to make the move from team player to manager. CISM can add credibility and confidence to your interactions with internal and external stakeholders, peers and regulators. See more info CISM Certification | Certified Information Security Manager | ISACA
WHEN DO I NEED TO REGISTER FOR THE CISM EXAM?
Eligibility is established at the time of exam registration and is good for twelve (12) months (365 days). Exam registration and payment are required before you can schedule and take an exam. You will forfeit your fees if you do not schedule and take the exam during your 12-month eligibility period. No eligibility deferrals or extensions are allowed.
WHAT ARE CISM PRE-REQUISITES?
Someone who aspires to be CISM-certified must have 5 years of experience in information security, with at least 3 years of information security management experience in 3 or more of the CISM domains. Moreover, the experience should be gained within 10 years before the application date or within 5 years after passing the exam. After passing the exam, applicants can then apply for CISM certification within 5 years. Further details can be found on CISM Certification | Certified Information Security Manager | ISACA
WHAT IS THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA TO BE SELECTED FOR THIS PROGRAM?
This program is only available to our female members who are Australian Residents.
The program is aimed at women who are:
IT security professionals who want to step up to a security team lead, security manager or leadership position
IT professionals from a non-technical management role keen to move laterally to a security management or leadership position
IT professionals planning return to work after a career break or a maternity leave and aspire to step up.
HOW MANY DAYS A WEEK I SHOULD ATTEND EXAM PREP SESSIONS?
Three times a week (Monday and Friday) and each session takes an hour from 7-8 pm.
IS IT MANDATORY TO ATTEND ALL SESSIONS?
Commitment to attending all sessions is an expectation of the program to successfully pass the CISM exam. Absences may impact your eligibility for any rewards.
CAN I ASK QUESTIONS DURING THE SESSIONS?
Because of the large number of participants and session time limitations, participants are encouraged to ask questions over chat or CISM domain specific forum topics on this website-Forum | Tangible Uplift Program-Women in Cyber Security Leadership
IS IT MANDATORY TO TAKE THE EXAM BY END OF 2023
You are encouraged take the exam by end of 2023 because your exam readiness will be at peak during that time and you will be highly likely not only to crack the exam but to obtain top scores. The program support will end on 1st December as this is a 100% volunteered initiative. This will also make you eligible for any rewards.
WHAT WILL BE THE IMPLICATIONS IF I NEED TO RE-SCHEDULE THE EXAM TO AFTER NOVEMBER
You will be eligible to take the exam for up to 12 months after you have paid the CISM registration fee. Therefore, you will still be able to re-schedule and take the exam after end of November 2023. However you will not be able to receive any support from the program instructors. In addition, you will not be eligible for any rewards.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TAKE THE CISM EXAM?
The cost to register for an ISACA certification is: ISACA Members: $575 USDNon-members: $760 USD Not an ISACA Member? In most cases your membership will pay for itself with the amount you save on exam registration. Join today!
WHY SHOULD I TAKE THE CISM CERTIFICATION?
Once you have completed the CISM certification process, you enter an elite group of professionals recognized by governmental agencies and businesses alike. Through your expertise, you bring credibility to the workplace by demonstrating your extensive knowledge of information systems and security. Your credential will be well-respected by multinational clients and enterprises, which can have a profound effect on your future success as an infosec professional. Not only does completion validate your skills, but it gives you a clear advantage when looking for work in the field. Along with accelerating your career, the CISM certificate enhances your value as an employee and sets you on a path of continued education and success. As the infosec field continues to grow, anyone who understands the inner-workings of the industry stands to benefit as a result. Although the exam itself is not easy, taking the CISM exam will is well worth all the hours spent studying and preparing for the challenge.
WHAT IS COVERED UNDER EACH OF THE FOUR DOMAINS ON THE CISM EXAM?
The CISM job practice consists of task and knowledge statements, organized by domains. The CISM exam contains 150 questions and covers four information security management areas. The CISM exam covers four different infosec management areas.
Domain I: Information Security Governance / Weighted 17 %
Domain II: Information Risk Management / Weighted 20 %
Domain III: Information Security Program Weighted 33 %
Domain IV: Incident Management / Weight 30 %
See details: CISM Exam Content Outline | CISM Certification | ISACA
HOW IS THE EXAM SCORED?
CISM test does not rely on percentages but rather, uses a 200-800 scaled scoring method allowing for performance comparison among candidates. The passing score of 450 is determined by the Certification Working Group through a process known as “cut score.” Using the review and input of global professionals, a passing point for the exam is established through exercises and simulations. They then establish a passing score as the minimum number of questions answered correctly while demonstrating both knowledge and skills.
A score of 450 represents a minimum consistent standard of knowledge as established by the respective ISACA Certification Committee. Although the scoring scale can change slightly, the raw score always has the same result and ultimately dictates whether the candidate has passed. Because there are four domains on the CISM exam—all with different applied weights—your score will also be broken down to reflect performance in each area.
A candidate who who receives a score of less than 450 has not passed the exam and can schedule a retake in the next testing window by registering again and paying through the automated system. In an effort to improve future scores, ISACA will provide a results letter analyzing the overall score and areas of particular weakness.
See details: How is my CISA / CISM / CGEIT / CRISC / CDPSE exam scored? (detailed version) (force.com)
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME CISM CERTIFIED?
ISACA's experience-based certifications like CISM blend credit for work experience with the achievement of passing an exam.
The first step is taking and passing the exam for the certification you wish to obtain.
The next step is applying with the required amount of experience, which will vary depending on the certification. You have 5 years to apply for certification after passing the exam.
We recommend that you first review
Job Practice Areas: https://www.isaca.org/credentialing/cism/cism-job-practice-areas
Requirement Details: https://www.isaca.org/credentialing/cism/get-cism-certified
HAS THE CISM EXAM BEEN UPDATED IN JUNE 2022 AND HOW WILL THIS PROGRAM GET IMPACTED?
Yes, the CISM Exam Content Outline has been updated 1 June 2022. The program is geared at developing a cyber security management mindset regardless of the exam content change. The program will use new content.
WHEN AND HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY CISM EXAM SCORE?
You will be able to view your preliminary result (pass or not pass) on the screen immediately following the completion of your exam. Your official score will be emailed and available online within 10 business days from the date that you take the exam. If you are successful you will receive details on how to apply for certification.
Exam results are provided two ways:
Email notification (encrypted) - sent to the email address listed on your profile
Online results - available on your ISACA Profile
Login to your account at www.isaca.org/myisaca
Select the Certifications & CPE Management tab
Scroll down to the Exam Summary section
Click Print Results Letter to view a printable version of your exam results.
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THE CISM EXAM?
Login to your ISACA profile at www.isaca.org/myprofile.
Once logged in please go to https://www.isaca.org/credentialing.
Select the CISM certification.
Scroll down to the Register for the exam section and click the "Register Now" button and complete the registration form.
Once completed please add to cart and checkout to complete your registration.
If you need a Pay Later order, you will have the option to Select "Pay Later" and enter an email address you wish to have the invoice sent to.
After you have completed the payment for the exam, please allow 24-hours before scheduling your exam.
The cost to register for an ISACA certification is:
ISACA Members: $575 USD
Non-members: $760 USD
Not an ISACA Member? In most cases your membership will pay for itself with the amount you save on exam registration. Join today!
IS THE CISM EXAM INCLUDED AS PART OF THE PROGRAM?
No, the exam is not included. Delegates need to book their exam through ISACA website. The payment for the exam registration fee may be self funded or company funded. You can claim the exam fee in tax refund.
WHAT KIND OF SALARY BUMP CAN I EXPECT AFTER GETTING CERTIFIED?
Candidates that have a CISM certification can expect great things on the salary front. The average base salary comes in at around AU$155k/year, but this varies depending on the job title and job function that you find yourself performing. For 2021 statistics refer Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Salary in Australia | PayScale
WHAT IS THE CURRENT GENDER BREAKDOWN FOR CISM CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS?
Male 89.5%
Avg. Salary: AU$101k - AU$228k
Female 10.5%
Avg. Salary: AU$79k - AU$245k
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Salary in Australia | PayScale
Now does that not motivate you to increase our female representation?
WHAT IS THE EXAM PASS GUARANTEE?
This is a non for profit, free and volunteered program and our goal is to help you succeed on. We cannot provide CISM delegates with an exam pass guarantee, however if you enrol in the program, we are confident that you will pass the ISACA examination. All we require is that delegates attend all training days, complete any extra work they may be given, and carry out revision.
DO I NEED ANY PRIOR QUALIFICATIONS TO ATTEND THIS CISM TRAINING COURSE?
No, you do not need any prior qualifications to attend this CISM training course.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CISM CERTIFICATION?
The benefits of taking and passing the CISM are obvious: better pay, more responsibility and a detailed, fundamental understanding of information security management, as well as how it relates to the successful operation of a company or organization’s Information Security. Candidates who successfully complete their CISM will be virtually guaranteed better job prospects, and will be on their way to climbing up the management structures within the organization.
It is also worth noting that the CISM is globally recognized, so candidates will find that they can work wherever they choose. This creates further opportunities for anyone that wishes to branch out and broaden their horizons in another country.
WILL OFFICIAL ISACA COURSE MATERIAL BE PROVIDED?
No, official ISACA resources are required to be purchased individually if needed. However the IT Masters course will provide study and exam prep material(non ISACA). The exam preparation and practice sessions will equip you will knowledge and expertise to correctly answer the questions. The following ISACA official resources as well as other widely used resources are recommended for exam preparation:
ISACA’s online CISM Exam Prep Course
ISACA’s Online CISM Review Question Database
Cybrary’s online CISM study material
Linkedin Learning
Depending on your budget, select what is best for you.