CASP+ vs CISSP: Which Certification is Better For You?

We live in a world where cybercriminals strike every 39 seconds, where 52,000 new security vulnerabilities are uncovered in a single year, and where businesses scramble to protect their digital networks from relentless attacks. 

This isn’t a plot of a dystopian thriller, it’s reality. 

As cyber threats grow bolder, the demand for skilled defenders has skyrocketed. The cybersecurity market is booming, expected to surge from 217.9 billion to 345.4 billion by 2026. Hence, it’s a goldmine of opportunities for those with the right skill set. 

But here’s the catch. Not all certifications are created equal. 

Enter CASP+ vs CISSP, two heavyweight certifications that grease the wheels of your career. One is a strategic leadership badge (CISSP), opening doors to boardrooms and high-stakes security decisions. The other is a technical expert’s emblem (CASP+), perfect for those who thrive in the trenches, battling vulnerabilities hands-on. 

So, which one is right for you? The answer lies in this article. Let’s find out.

CASP+ vs CISSP: Overview

Meet two sides of the same coin.

What is CASP+?

The CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) certification is the newest advanced-level cybersecurity certification that stays ahead of the curve. 

It’s fresh. 

It’s technical. 

And it’s built for hands-on experts. 

It dives deep into technical skills, from on-premises to hybrid cloud environments. Think governance, risk, compliance, and leading teams to shore up enterprise security. 

But here’s a twist. It has been renamed as SecurityX, a sleek rebrand for CompTIA’s expert-level certifications. However, this name change doesn’t impact the certification status of the current cert holders (They’ll receive a rebranded SecurityX badge, so take a seat and relax.)

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What is CISSP?

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is globally recognized and backed by ISC2. It is perfect for security professionals who like their knowledge “a mile wide and an inch deep”. 

Translation? It covers everything! Governance, risk, architecture, but doesn’t drown you in technical minutiae.

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CASP+ vs CISSP: Key Differences

So, which certification speaks your language? Let’s break it down.

Focus: Technical (CASP+) vs Managerial (CISSP)

CASP+ is for the doers! 

In 2024, cloud security skills topped hiring wishlists with 36% of managers craving them. AI/ML expertise came in a close second. That’s where CASP+ shines. It trains you to secure hybrid environments, automate defenses, and engineer resilient systems. 

CISSP is for the deciders. 

Technical skills matter but communication rules. Can you explain ransomware to a CEO? Stay calm mid-breach? That’s CISSP territory. It’s about strategizing, governing, and leading teams through chaos. Think risk management, policy crafting, and translating tech-speak into boardroom decisions. So, build with CASP+, or steer with CISSP? Your call.

Exam Format: Performance-Based vs Scenario-Based

CASP+ tests your reflexes. 

You’ll face real-world simulations and actual tasks like configuring cloud security or dissecting malware. Then comes the classic 90 multiple-choice questions to be done in 165 minutes. 

CISSP prefers mind games. Adaptive questions shift difficulty based on your answers. Scenario-based problems test decision-making under pressure. To sum up, you have to attempt 100-150 questions within 180 minutes.

Experience Requirements: CASP+ vs CISSP

The CISSP plays hard to get. It demands five years in the security domain. No experience? You get a consolation prize: Associate of ISC2 status and six years to prove yourself. 

It’s quality control. The CISSP brand stays elite because its holders earned their stripes. 

CASP+ takes a different approach. No hard requirements, just a polite suggestion, “Maybe have a decade in IT?” 

CASP+ certification recommends a minimum of 10 years of general hands-on IT experience with at least 5 years of hands-on security experience, with Network+, Security+, CySA+, Cloud+, and PenTest+ or equivalent knowledge.

Renewal Requirements: Price of Staying Relevant

CASP vs CISSP demands ongoing effort but in different flavors. 

CASP+ keeps it simple: 75 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) every three years. Take a course, earn another certification, or attend an event…flexibility is key. 

The best part? Your renewed CASP+ keeps its ISO/ANSI accreditation, so employers know it’s legit. No annual feels. 

CISSP certification is more structured, more demanding. You’ll need 120 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits over three years, with at least 40 yearly. Also, a $135 annual fee, regardless of how many ISC2 certifications you hold. It’s a subscription to excellence, ensuring you stay sharp in a fast-changing field. 

Which approach works better? CASP+ offers breathing room, ideal for hands-on professionals who learn by doing. CISSP’s stricter upkeep ensures its holders never get complacent. 

One’s a gym membership, the other’s a personal trainer. Both keep you fit, just differently.

CASP+ vs CISSP: Career Paths and Jobs

Time to break down these certifications in terms of numbers:

CASP+ Salary & Job Opportunities

The average CASP+ salary is $165,661 in the U.S. Not bad, right? But dig deeper. The salary packages vary depending on the job title, industry, region, and experience. For example, a healthcare cybersecurity analyst makes $132,962, while a security architect climbs higher.

Common job roles that SecurityX practitioners can pursue are as follows: 

• SOC Manager
• Cyber Risk Analyst 
• Senior Security Consultant
• Technical Lead Analyst 
• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

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CISSP Salary & Job Opportunities

The global average CISSP salary sits at $119,577, while North American boosts to $147,757. The common career paths of CISSP holders include: 

• CISO
• Security Manager 
• Network Architect 
• Security Analyst
• Security Architect
• Senior Information Security Risk Officer
• Lead Security Consultant

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CASP+ vs CISSP: Exam Difficulty and Preparation Tip

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Both certification exams will test your limits, but in fundamentally different ways that reflect their core philosophies. 

CASP+ Exam Difficulty

CASP+ is for the tech-obsessed. If you don’t live and breathe security architecture, cloud configurations, or threat analysis, the performance-based questions will humble you. 

Questions will drop you into simulated enterprise environments where you might be: 

• Configuring Hybrid Cloud Security architectures
• Responding to advanced persistent threats
• Designing cryptographic solutions for legacy systems

The challenge? There’s no partial credit for the almost-right answers. Either your solution works or it doesn’t. This makes the CASP+ exam particularly brutal for those who’ve spent more time studying than doing. 

▶ Preparation strategies

Join uCertify CyberRange and Live Labs to practice like you’re on a job. But break and fix systems without compromising data integrity and costing your business millions of dollars. Practice until troubleshooting becomes instinctive. 

CISSP Exam Difficulty

Imagine being the security expert in a boardroom where the conversation jumps from: 

• Cloud access security brokers to 
• European GDPR compliance then 
• Business Continuity Planning

The adaptive exam format means each correct answer leads to more tricky questions. So,…while you won’t configure firewalls, you’ll need to: 

• Compare security framework (NIST vs ISO 27001)
• Evaluate risk methodologies (FAIR vs OCTAVE) 
• Justify security investments to executives

▶ Preparation strategies

Think like a manager. Create concept maps linking all eight domains. Practice explaining technical topics to non-technical audiences.

CASP+ vs CISSP: Which Certification Should You Choose?

The cybersecurity industry doesn’t just want specialists or generalists; it needs both. But your career path depends on which role fits you best.

The Case for CASP+ (SecurityX)

For Whom? 

• Technical practitioners who thrive in SOCs, incident response teams, or cloud security roles.
• Career-changers with IT experience but lacking formal security credentials. 
• DoD contractors needing IAT Level III / IAM Level II compliance. 

Why It Shines? 

• Skill validation over theory 
  • CASP+ proves you can do security work. Performance-based questions simulate real-world tasks like configuring an SIEM or hardening a hybrid cloud environment. 
  • Ideal for roles where hands-on experience trumps policy knowledge (e.g., penetration testers, security engineers). 
• Lower barrier to entry 
  • No strict experience requirements (unlike CISSP’s 5-year mandate). 
  • CompTIA’s “recommended” 10-year IT background is flexible. Talented mid-level professionals can pass with focused study. 
• Emerging tech focus
  • Covers cutting-edge domains like AI/ML Security and zero-trust architecture…topics CISSP’s broader curriculum barely scratches. 

The Caveats 

• Limited leadership currency 
  • While CASP+ teaches risk management, hiring managers still view it as a technical certification. It won’t propel you to CISO roles. 
• Rebranding uncertainty 
  • The shift to “SecurityX” in 2024 may cause temporary confusion in the job market.

The Case for CISSP

For Whom? 

• Aspiring security leaders eyeing managerial or executive positions. 
• Consultants who need to credibly advise across industries. 
• Compliance professionals in regulated sectors (finance, healthcare). 

Why It Dominates? 

• Gold standard for credibility 
  • CISSP is the cybersecurity equivalent of an MBA, a universal signal of competence. 
  • Required for many senior roles (e.g., Indeed has listed 9000+ jobs with CISSP requirements). 

• Domain breadth
  • The 8-domain CBK ensures you speak the language of both engineers and executives. 
  • Unlike CASP+’s technical depth, CISSP prepares you to pivot across specialties (governance, architecture, risk). 
• Salary multiplier effect 
  • CISSP holders earn 23% more on average than non-certified peers in similar roles. 
  • In consulting, it can justify $50-100/hr rate increases. 

The Caveats 

• “Paper CISSP” Problem
  • The exam’s theoretical focus means some holders lack practical skills. This fuels industry skepticism about “all-talk” professionals. 
• Ongoing cost burden
  • $135/year AMF + CPE requirements make it expensive to maintain long-term.

Deciding Factors: A Realist’s Checklist 

1. Career Stage Matters 
   • Early-career? CASP+ builds tangible skills employers value today. 
   • 5+ years in security? CISSP unlocks promotions and consulting opportunities. 
2. Industry-Specific Demands
   • Tech startups/cyber firms? CASP+ aligns better with their technical culture. 
   • Finance/government? CISSP is often non-negotiable for advancement. 
3. Your Tolerance
   • CASP+ is lean. Study, pass, and move on. 
   • CISSP requires navigating ISC2 bureaucracy (endorsements, ethics exam, CPE tracking).

Final Verdict

There’s no “wrong” choice, only the right one for your career. 

If you’re interested in firewall configurations, cloud security, and hands-on threat hunting, CASP proves you can walk the walk. 

If you’re eyeing the corner office, CISSP will open doors money can’t buy. 

Are you into the hybrid approach? Start with CASP+ to build street credibility, then add CISSP when you’re ready to lead the conversation. 

So, CASP+ vs CISSP? The answer isn’t in a certification guide. It’s where you want to clock in tomorrow. 

Choose, certify, and own your career path. The industry is waiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does everyone search for job postings with CISSP? 

Professionals often utilize platforms like Indeed or GlassDoor to find CISSP job postings. Some also recommend directly visiting company career pages or using advanced techniques, such as Google Dorking, to locate specific job listings. 

Also, networking on LinkedIn and reaching out to CISSP-certified professionals can provide valuable job leads. 

What are the tips for passing CISSP certification?

To prepare for the CISSP exam: 

• Study Resources: Enroll in our CISSP course and practice with interactive question banks and hands-on labs. 
• Practice Exams: Engage in our gamified test preps to familiarize yourself with the exam format and question styles. 
• Consistent Study Schedule: Allocate regular study time over several months to cover all domains thoroughly. 

Why are you getting CISSP certified?

Obtaining a CISSP certification offers several benefits:​

• Career Advancement: Opens doors to senior and leadership roles in cybersecurity.​
• Industry Recognition: Validates your expertise and commitment to the field.​
• Higher Earning Potential: CISSP holders often command higher salaries.​
• Global Opportunities: Recognized worldwide, facilitating international career prospects.​
• Professional Network: Access to a community of certified professionals for networking and knowledge sharing.

Is CASP+ a good cert to go to after CySA+ and PenTest+?

Yes, pursuing CASP+ after obtaining CySA+ and PenTest+ can be a logical progression:​

• Skill Enhancement: Builds upon the foundational knowledge from CySA+ and PenTest+, focusing on advanced security topics.
• Career Growth: Prepares you for senior-level roles that require a deeper understanding of enterprise security.​
• Certification Renewal: Earning CASP+ can also help in renewing your previous CompTIA certifications.​

This pathway can position you well for advanced technical roles in cybersecurity.