CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional Study Guide [Paperback]

James M. Stewart (Author), Ed Tittel (Author), Mike Chapple (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 2011 | ISBN-10: 0470944986 | ISBN-13: 978-0470944981 | Edition: 5

Totally updated for 2011, here's the ultimate study guide for the CISSP exam

Considered the most desired certification for IT security professionals, the Certified Information Systems Security Professional designation is also a career-booster. This comprehensive study guide covers every aspect of the 2011 exam and the latest revision of the CISSP body of knowledge. It offers advice on how to pass each section of the exam and features expanded coverage of biometrics, auditing and accountability, software security testing, and other key topics. Included is a CD with two full-length, 250-question sample exams to test your progress.

• CISSP certification identifies the ultimate IT security professional; this complete study guide is fully updated to cover all the objectives of the 2011 CISSP exam
• Provides in-depth knowledge of access control, application development security, business continuity and disaster recovery planning, cryptography, Information Security governance and risk management, operations security, physical (environmental) security, security architecture and design, and telecommunications and network security
• Also covers legal and regulatory investigation and compliance
• Includes two practice exams and challenging review questions on the CD

Professionals seeking the CISSP certification will boost their chances of success with CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional Study Guide, 5th Edition.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Comprehensive preparation for the 2011 CISSP certification exam

With pages of in-depth coverage, real-world scenarios, and detailed explanations of all domains from the Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) for the CISSP certification exam, this complete guide not only thoroughly prepares you for the exam, it also helps you develop practical skills for success on the job. Key topics include access control, business continuity, cryptography, biometrics, and more. You'll also find helpful advice on how to pass each section of the exam. Inside, find:

Full coverage of all exam objectives in a systematic approach, so you can be confident you're getting the instruction you need for the exam

Real-world scenarios that put what you've learned in the context of actual job roles

Challenging review questions in each chapter to prepare you for exam day

Exam Essentials, a key feature in each chapter that identifies critical areas you must become proficient in before taking the exam

A handy tear card that maps every official exam objective to the corresponding chapter in the book, so you can track your exam prep objective by objective

Look inside for complete coverage of all exam objectives.

SYBEX TEST ENGINE

Test your knowledge with advanced testing software. Includes all chapter review questions and two full-length, 250-question practice exams.

ELECTRONIC FLASHCARDS

Reinforce your understanding with electronic flashcards.

Also on CD, you'll find the entire book in searchable and printable PDF. Study anywhere, any time, and approach the exam with confidence.

Includes Real-World Scenarios, Written Labs, and

Leading-Edge Exam Prep Software Featuring:

• Custom Test Engine

• Two Full-Length, 250-Question Practice Exams

• Electronic Flashcards

• Entire Book in PDF

About the Author

James Michael Stewart, CISSP, is a security expert, technical trainer, and author who has written numerous publications, books, and courseware. Ed Tittel, CISSP, is a freelance writer and a regular contributor to numerous online outlets, including SearchSecurity.com, InformIT.com, and ITExpertVoice.com. He has authored over 140 books. Mike Chapple, PhD, CISSP, is an IT security professional with the University of Notre Dame. He was formerly chief information officer of Brand Institute and an information security researcher with the National Security Agency and the U.S. Air Force.

Product Details

• Paperback: 864 pages
• Publisher: Sybex; 5 edition (January 25, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470944986
• ISBN-13: 978-0470944981
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Computers & Technology > Security & Encryption

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid exam preparation tool, April 24, 2003

By 

J C O'Connor (Dublin, Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional Study Guide (Hardcover)

I must admit a soft spot for Sybex (and Ed Tittel) study guides, having used them extensively for Microsoft exams. This book follows in that tradition, providing a good balance between detailed explanation and comprehensive coverage of the exam topics.

The bundled CD is useful. I raced through the 250 flash cards in an hour, which is good for jogging the memory. The four bonus exams, of 75 questions each, are good, but are not as difficult as the real thing. These exams provide grades broken down by each CISSP exam domain, which is excellent for identifying topics for revision.

One book can not guarantee coverage of all CISSP exam topics, particularly given the long list of references on the CISSP suggested reading list. I also skimmed through a friend's copy of Shon Harris's "All-in-One" exam guide. I would still rate this book higher, but Harris's book covers some topics in more detail then the Sybex book. The "All-in-One" practice exams are more difficult, though some of the questions are not clearly worded.

The biggest disappoint I have with the exam preparation experience is with the CISSP's ten domains. The examination questions are based on 'good exam fodder' from topics in the ten domains. The topics lean towards an academic approach to security, rather then knowledge needed by a working security professional.

The other references I would strongly suggest to help to gain a security brain, as well as a high exam score include: Stephen Northcutt's `Inside Network Perimeter Security', Ross Anderson's `Security Engineering', and Syngress's `Special Ops'. Maybe I should take one of the SANS security exams, which are much more practical in nature.

And best of luck with the exam!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great material -- just not enjoyable reading, July 17, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional Study Guide (Hardcover)

As I took the CISSP exam, I kept thinking, "he really knew what he was talking about." If you were to know this book backwards and forwards, you would do well on the CISSP exam. However, this text suffers from a problem common among learning manuals -- if you didn't get a good sleep the night before you will be nodding off after only a few pages. It reads like a dictionary. Also, the summaries and tables were lacking in both quality and quantity.

After having said that, I have to admit that this book probably helped me the most out of the four I used to prepare for the exam. While Shon Harris' second edition of the All-In-One guide was much more readable and memorable, the content probably wasn't quite as good. Therefore, these two books probably tied as the ones on the top of my list were I to go through this process again.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good resource, May 29, 2004

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: CISSP: Certified Information Systems Security Professional Study Guide (Hardcover)

I purchased and used both this text and the Shon Harris book. The text here is dry reading but very informative. As I got closer to taking the exam, I used it primarily for the practice exams and then used those to identify my weak areas. The practice exams give a very good breakdown by domain area of your strengths and weaknesses. I agree with another reviewer that the Shon Harris book is easier reading. If you are relatively new to the material and teaching yourself, you may want to go with that book as your primary text. However, if you are already pretty familiar with the material and knowledgeable about the technical aspect of networking, then this book would probably provide you more useful material. Both are outstanding texts but one is more useful than the other based upon where you are starting from.