Certified Chief Information Security Officer | CCISO Certification
EC-Council’s Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO) Program has certified leading information security professionals around the world. A core group of high-level information security executives, the CCISO Advisory Board, formed the foundation of the program and outlined the content covered by the exam, body of knowledge, and training. Some members of the Board contributed as authors, others as exam writers, others as quality assurance checks, and still others as instructors. Each segment of the program was developed with the aspiring and sitting CISO in mind and looks to transfer the knowledge of seasoned executives to the next generation of leaders in the areas that are most critical in the development and maintenance of a successful information security program.
About the Certified Chief Information Officer (CCISO) Course
The CCISO Certification is an industry-leading, security certification program that recognizes the real-world experience necessary to succeed at the highest executive levels of information security. Bringing together all the components required for a C-Level position, the CCISO program combines audit management, governance, IS controls, human capital management, strategic program development, and the financial expertise vital to leading a highly successful information security program. The job of the CISO is far too important to be learned by trial and error. Executive-level management skills are not areas that should be learned on the job.
The material in the CCISO Program assumes a high-level understanding of technical topics and doesn’t spend much time on strictly technical information, but rather on the application of technical knowledge to an information security executive’s day-to-day work. The CCISO aims to bridge the gap between the executive management knowledge that CISOs need and the technical knowledge that many sitting and aspiring CISOs have. This can be a crucial gap as a practitioner endeavors to move from mid-management to upper, executive management roles. Much of this is traditionally learned as on the job training, but the CCISO Training Program can be the key to a successful transition to the highest ranks of information security management.
Course Outline
Domain 1: Governance and Risk Management
1. Define, Implement, Manage, and Maintain an Information Security Governance Program
- 1.1. Form of Business Organization
- 1.2. Industry
- 1.3. Organizational Maturity
2. Information Security Drivers
3. Establishing an information security management structure
- 3.1. Organizational Structure
- 3.2. Where does the CISO fit within the organizational structure
- 3.3. The Executive CISO
- 3.4. Nonexecutive CISO
4. Laws/Regulations/Standards as drivers of Organizational Policy/Standards/Procedures
5. Managing an enterprise information security compliance program
- 5.1. Security Policy
- 5.1.1. Necessity of a Security Policy
- 5.1.2. Security Policy Challenges
- 5.2. Policy Content
- 5.2.1. Types of Policies
- 5.2.2. Policy Implementation
- 5.3. Reporting Structure
- 5.4. Standards and best practices
- 5.5. Leadership and Ethics
- 5.6. EC-Council Code of Ethics
6. Introduction to Risk Management
- 3.1. Organizational Structure
- 3.2. Where does the CISO fit within the organizational structure
- 3.3. The Executive CISO
- 3.4. Nonexecutive CISO
Domain 2: Information Security Controls, Compliance, and Audit Management
1. Information Security Controls
- 1.1. Identifying the Organization’s Information Security Needs
- 1.1.1. Identifying the Optimum Information Security Framework
- 1.1.2. Designing Security Controls
- 1.1.3. Control Lifecycle Management
- 1.1.4. Control Classification
- 1.1.5. Control Selection and Implementation
- 1.1.6. Control Catalog
- 1.1.7. Control Maturity
- 1.1.8. Monitoring Security Controls
- 1.1.9. Remediating Control Deficiencies
- 1.1.10. Maintaining Security Controls
- 1.1.11. Reporting Controls
- 1.1.12. Information Security Service Catalog
2. Compliance Management
- 2.1. Acts, Laws, and Statutes
- 2.1.1. FISMA
- 2.2. Regulations
- 2.2.1. GDPR
- 2.3. Standards
- 2.3.1. ASD—Information Security Manual
- 2.3.2. Basel III
- 2.3.3. FFIEC
- 2.3.4. ISO 00 Family of Standards
- 2.3.5. NERC-CIP
- 2.3.6. PCI DSS
- 2.3.7. NIST Special Publications
- 2.3.8. Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements No. 16 (SSAE 16)
3. Guidelines, Good and Best Practices
- 3.1. CIS
- 3.1.1. OWASP
4. Audit Management
- 4.1. Audit Expectations and Outcomes
- 4.2. IS Audit Practices
- 4.2.1. ISO/IEC Audit Guidance
- 4.2.2. Internal versus External Audits
- 4.2.3. Partnering with the Audit Organization
- 4.2.4. Audit Process
- 4.2.5. General Audit Standards
- 4.2.6. Compliance-Based Audits
- 4.2.7. Risk-Based Audits
- 4.2.8. Managing and Protecting Audit Documentation
- 4.2.9. Performing an Audit
- 4.2.10. Evaluating Audit Results and Report
- 4.2.11. Remediating Audit Findings
- 4.2.12. Leverage GRC Software to Support Audits
5. Summary
Domain 3: Security Program Management & Operations
1. Program Management
- 1.1. Defining a Security Charter, Objectives, Requirements, Stakeholders, and Strategies
- 1.1.1. Security Program Charter
- 1.1.2. Security Program Objectives
- 1.1.3. Security Program Requirements
- 1.1.4. Security Program Stakeholders
- 1.1.5. Security Program Strategy Development
- 1.2. Executing an Information Security Program
- 1.3. Defining and Developing, Managing and Monitoring the Information Security Program
- 1.3.1. Defining an Information Security Program Budget
- 1.3.2. Developing an Information Security Program Budget
- 1.3.3. Managing an Information Security Program Budget
- 1.3.4. Monitoring an Information Security Program Budget
- 1.4. Defining and Developing Information Security Program Staffing Requirements
- 1.5. Managing the People of a Security Program
- 1.5.1. Resolving Personnel and Teamwork Issues
- 1.5.2. Managing Training and Certification of Security Team Members
- 1.5.3. Clearly Defined Career Path
- 1.5.4. Designing and Implementing a User Awareness Program
- 1.6. Managing the Architecture and Roadmap of the Security Program
- 1.6.1. Information Security Program Architecture
- 1.6.2. Information Security Program Roadmap
- 1.7. Program Management and Governance
- 1.7.1. Understanding Project Management Practices
- 1.7.2. Identifying and Managing Project Stakeholders
- 1.7.3. Measuring the Effectives of Projects
- 1.8. Business Continuity Management (BCM) and Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP)
- 1.9. Data Backup and Recovery
- 1.10. Backup Strategy
- 1.11. ISO BCM Standards
- 1.11.1. Business Continuity Management (BCM)
- 1.11.2. Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP)
- 1.12. Continuity of Security Operations
- 1.12.1. Integrating the Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability (CIA) Model
- 1.13. BCM Plan Testing
- 1.14. DRP Testing
- 1.15. Contingency Planning, Operations, and Testing Programs to Mitigate Risk and Meet Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
- 1.16. Computer Incident Response
- 1.16.1. Incident Response Tools
- 1.16.2. Incident Response Management
- 1.16.3. Incident Response Communications
- 1.16.4. Post-Incident Analysis
- 1.16.5. Testing Incident Response Procedures
- 1.17. Digital Forensics
- 1.17.1. Crisis Management
- 1.17.2. Digital Forensics Life Cycle
2. Operations Management
- 2.1. Establishing and Operating a Security Operations (SecOps) Capability
- 2.2. Security Monitoring and Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
- 2.3. Event Management
- 2.4. Incident Response Model
- 2.4.1. Developing Specific Incident Response Scenarios
- 2.5. Threat Management
- 2.6. Threat Intelligence
- 2.6.1. Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISAC)
- 2.7. Vulnerability Management
- 2.7.1. Vulnerability Assessments
- 2.7.2. Vulnerability Management in Practice
- 2.7.3. Penetration Testing
- 2.7.4. Security Testing Teams
- 2.7.5. Remediation
- 2.8. Threat Hunting
3. Summary
Domain 4: Information Security Core Competencies
1. Access Control
- 1.1. Authentication, Authorization, and Auditing
- 1.2. Authentication
- 1.3. Authorization
- 1.4. Auditing
- 1.5. User Access Control Restrictions
- 1.6. User Access Behavior Management
- 1.7. Types of Access Control Models
- 1.8. Designing an Access Control Plan
- 1.9. Access Administration
2. Physical Security
- 2.1. Designing, Implementing, and Managing Physical Security Program
- 2.1.1. Physical Risk Assessment
- 2.2. Physical Location Considerations
- 2.3. Obstacles and Prevention
- 2.4. Secure Facility Design
- 2.4.1. Security Operations Center
- 2.4.2. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility
- 2.4.3. Digital Forensics Lab
- 2.4.4. Datacenter
- 2.5. Preparing for Physical Security Audits
3. Network Security
- 3.1. Network Security Assessments and Planning
- 3.2. Network Security Architecture Challenges
- 3.3. Network Security Design
- 3.4. Network Standards, Protocols, and Controls
- 3.4.1. Network Security Standards
- 3.4.2. Protocols
4. Certified Chief
- 4.1.1. Network Security Controls
- 4.2. Wireless (Wi-Fi) Security
- 4.2.1. Wireless Risks
- 4.2.2. Wireless Controls
- 4.3. Voice over IP Security
5. Endpoint Protection
- 5.1. Endpoint Threats
- 5.2. Endpoint Vulnerabilities
- 5.3. End User Security Awareness
- 5.4. Endpoint Device Hardening
- 5.5. Endpoint Device Logging
- 5.6. Mobile Device Security
- 5.6.1. Mobile Device Risks
- 5.6.2. Mobile Device Security Controls
- 5.7. Internet of Things Security (IoT)
- 5.7.1. Protecting IoT Devices
6. Application Security
- 6.1. Secure SDLC Model
- 6.2. Separation of Development, Test, and Production Environments
- 6.3. Application Security Testing Approaches
- 6.4. DevSecOps
- 6.5. Waterfall Methodology and Security
- 6.6. Agile Methodology and Security
- 6.7. Other Application Development Approaches
- 6.8. Application Hardening
- 6.9. Application Security Technologies
- 6.10. Version Control and Patch Management
- 6.11. Database Security
- 6.12. Database Hardening
- 6.13. Secure Coding Practices
7. Encryption Technologies
- 7.1. Encryption and Decryption
- 7.2. Cryptosystems
- 7.2.1. Blockchain
- 7.2.2. Digital Signatures and Certificates
- 7.2.3. PKI
- 7.2.4. Key Management
- 7.3. Hashing
- 7.4. Encryption Algorithms
- 7.5. Encryption Strategy Development
- 7.5.1. Determining Critical Data Location and Type
- 7.5.2. Deciding What to Encrypt
- 7.5.3. Determining Encryption Requirements
- 7.5.4. Selecting, Integrating, and Managing Encryption Technologies
8. Virtualization Security
- 8.1. Virtualization Overview
- 8.2. Virtualization Risks
- 8.3. Virtualization Security Concerns
- 8.4. Virtualization Security Controls
- 8.5. Virtualization Security Reference Model
9. Cloud Computing Security
- 9.1. Overview of Cloud Computing
- 9.2. Security and Resiliency Cloud Services
- 9.3. Cloud Security Concerns
- 9.4. Cloud Security Controls
- 9.5. Cloud Computing Protection Considerations
10. Transformative Technologies
- 10.1. Artificial Intelligence
- 10.2. Augmented Reality
- 10.3. Autonomous SOC
- 10.4. Dynamic Deception
- 10.5. Software-Defined Cybersecurity
11. Summary
Domain 5: Strategic Planning, Finance, Procurement and Vendor Management
1. Strategic Planning
- 1.1. Understanding the Organization
- 1.1.1. Understanding the Business Structure
- 1.1.2. Determining and Aligning Business and Information Security Goals
- 1.1.3. Identifying Key Sponsors, Stakeholders, and Influencers
- 1.1.4. Understanding Organizational Financials
- 1.2. Creating an Information Security Strategic Plan
- 1.2.1. Strategic Planning Basics
- 1.2.2. Alignment to Organizational Strategy and Goals
- 1.2.3. Defining Tactical Short, Medium, and Long-Term Information Security Goals
- 1.2.4. Information Security Strategy Communication
- 1.2.5. Creating a Culture of Security
2. Designing, Developing, and Maintaining an Enterprise Information Security Program
- 2.1. Ensuring a Sound Program Foundation
- 2.2. Architectural Views
- 2.3. Creating Measurements and Metrics
- 2.4. Balanced Scorecard
- 2.5. Continuous Monitoring and Reporting Outcomes
- 2.6. Continuous Improvement
- 2.7. Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Continual Service Improvement (CSI)
3. Understanding the Enterprise Architecture (EA)
- 3.1. EA Types
- 3.1.1. The Zachman Framework
- 3.1.2. The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF)
- 3.1.3. Sherwood Applied Business Security Architecture (SABSA)
- 3.1.4. Federal Enterprise Architecture Framework (FEAF)
4. Finance
- 4.1. Understanding Security Program Funding
- 4.2. Analyzing, Forecasting, and Developing a Security Budget
- 4.2.1. Resource Requirements
- 4.2.2. Define Financial Metrics
- 4.2.3. Technology Refresh
- 4.2.4. New Project Funding
- 4.2.5. Contingency Funding
- 4.3. Managing the information Security Budget
- 4.3.1. Obtain Financial Resources
- 4.3.2. Allocate Financial Resources
- 4.3.3. Monitor and Oversight of Information Security Budget
- 4.3.4. Report Metrics to Sponsors and Stakeholders
- 4.3.5. Balancing the Information Security Budget
5. Procurement
- 5.1. Procurement Program Terms and Concepts
- 5.1.1. Statement of Objectives (SOO)
- 5.1.2. Statement of Work (SOW)
- 5.1.3. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
- 5.1.4. Request for Information (RFI)
- 5.1.5. Request for Proposal (RFP)
- 5.1.6. Master Service Agreement (MSA)
- 5.1.7. Service Level Agreement (SLA)
- 5.1.8. Terms and Conditions (T&C)
- 5.2. Understanding the Organization’s Procurement Program
- 5.2.1. Internal Policies, Processes, and Requirements
- 5.2.2. External or Regulatory Requirements
- 5.2.3. Local Versus Global Requirements
- 5.3. Procurement Risk Management
- 5.3.1. Standard Contract Language
6. Vendor Management
- 6.1. Understanding the Organization’s Acquisition Policies and Procedures
- 6.1.1. Procurement Life cycle
- 6.2. Applying Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) During the Procurement Process5
- 6.3. Vendor Management Policies
- 6.4. Contract Administration Policies
- 6.4.1. Service and Contract Delivery Metrics
- 6.4.2. Contract Delivery Reporting
- 6.4.3. Change Requests
- 6.4.4. Contract Renewal
- 6.4.5. Contract Closure
- 6.5. Delivery Assurance
- 6.5.1. Validation of Meeting Contractual Requirements
- 6.5.2. Formal Delivery Audits
- 6.5.3. Periodic Random Delivery Audits
- 6.5.4. Third-Party Attestation Services (TPRM)
7. Summary
Meet Your Instructor
What Our Students Say
Minimum Requirements
In order to qualify to sit for the CCISO Exam without taking any training, candidates must have five years of experience in each of the 5 CCISO domains verified via the Exam Eligibility Application.
To sit for the exam after taking training, candidates must have five years of experience in three of the five CCISO Domains verified via the Exam Eligibility Application.
Waivers for the CCISO are available to Self-Study Candidates
Domain | Education Waivers |
1. Governance and Risk Management | Ph.D. Information Security – 3 years, MS Information Security Management, MS Information Security Engineering – 2 years, BS Information Security – 2 years |
2. Information Security Controls, Compliance, and Audit Management | Ph.D. Information Security – 3 years, MS Information Security Management, MS Information Security Engineering – 2 years, BS Information Security – 2 years |
3. Security Program Management & Operations | Ph.D. Information Security – 3 years, MS Information Security or MS Project Management – 2 years, BS Information Security – 2 years |
4. Information Security Core Competencies | Ph.D. Information Security – 3 years, MS Information Security – 2 years, BS Information Security – 2 years |
5. Strategic Planning, Finance, Procurement, and Vendor Management | CPA, MBA, M. Fin. – 3 years |
About the Exam
There are three cognitive levels tested on the CCISO exam.
- Level 1 – Knowledge: This cognitive level of questions is used to recall memorized facts. This is the most basic cognitive level rarely accepted on certifications as it merely recognizes the candidate’s ability to memorize information. It can be effectively used when asking for basic definitions, standards or any concrete fact.
- Level 2 – Application: This cognitive level of questions is used to identify the candidate’s ability to understand the application of a given concept. It differs from Knowledge based questions in the sense that it requires the understanding and correct applicability of a given concept – not just the concept itself. This type of question often quires additional context before the actual question is provided in the stem.
- Level 3 – Analysis: This cognitive level of questions is used to identify the candidate’s ability to identify and resolve a problem given a series of variables and context. Analysis questions differ greatly from Application based questions in the sense that they require not only the applicability of a concept but also how a concept, given certain constrain can be used to solve a problem.
Passing Score
In order to maintain the high integrity of our certifications exams, EC-Council Exams are provided in multiple forms (I.e. different question banks). Each form is carefully analyzed through beta testing with an appropriate sample group under the purview of a committee of subject matter experts that ensure that each of our exams not only has academic rigor but also has “real world” applicability. We also have a process to determine the difficulty rating of each question. The individual rating then contributes to an overall “Cut Score” for each exam form. To ensure each form has equal assessment standards, cut scores are set on a “per exam form” basis. Depending on which exam form is challenged, cut scores can range from 60% to 78%.
Exam Details
Number of Questions: 150
Test Duration: 2.5 Hours
Test Format: Multiple Choice
Test Delivery: ECC Exam Portal
- Director, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Google Cloud
- Deputy CISO
- VP & Chief Information Security Officer
- Chief Information Security Officer (VP)
- System Dir, Info Sys. Security – CISO
- Chief Privacy Officer
- ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER
- Chief Security Officer
- CIO COO
- Assistant Executive Director – Chief Information Security Officer
- CISO Threat Intel
- Chief Technical Officer (CTO)
- Chief Data Officer
- VP, Information Security
- Information Security Officer
- Chief Compliance Officer
- Senior Cyber Security CIO SME
- Regional Chief Information Officer
About OhPhish
OhPhish is a great way for CCISOs to jumpstart the security awareness programs at their companies at no cost. OhPhish is a simple and user-friendly solution for driving phishing simulations and online trainings. Launching phishing simulations is made easy through pre-existing phishing templates and connectors for authoritative identity repositories (like Active Directory). The solution not only sends customized emails and campaigns, but also tracks responses and actions (like clicking links or opening attachments) in real time, giving trends as well as detailed reports by user, department, or other key demographics.
Features
Inquire for Multi Seat discount.
Explore what is included with each of our training packages:
- Live Course Delivered by an EC-Council Master Trainer
- Official Printed Courseware (U.S. only)
- Certification Exam
- Exam Retake – 1 qty
- CCISO On-Demand Course (1 year access)
Don’t just take a class. Join a program.
The Executive Management Program includes the complete Certified Project Manager (CPM) course, including exam, as well as the Cybersecurity Risk Management Workshop, Certified Secure Computer User, (100 Seat license) and 1 free “Aware” license that enables you to run a phishing simulation to test your company’s user awareness.
Gain Analytical Skills
You’ll learn how to process raw and unstructured data and how to provide insights that impact your business decisions
Gain Tactical Skills
Learn when and how to apply certain methodologies in your projects for guaranteed success
This risk management course is specifically designed to guide a CISO in defining and implementing a risk management approach within an IS program. The course introduces the student to the most common approaches and practices used by organizations worldwide. It is not intended to cover risk outside of the IS enterprise (including financial and business risks).
Up to 100-user license of EC-Council’s Certified Secure Computer User course
This class will immerse students into an interactive environment where they will acquire a fundamental understanding of various computer and network security threats such as identity theft, credit card fraud, virus and backdoors, emails hoaxes, loss of confidential information, hacking attacks and social engineering.
Being a CISO and managing a security program means understanding and implementing end user training. This is where Aware comes in! Our phishing simulations mimic real-life attack scenarios that teach your employees to spot phishing scams and avoid the hefty cost of a data breach.
This learning option includes the CCISO course as well as one year of unlimited access to EC-Council’s library of video certification courses.
Get Started |
One Year Subscription $2,999 |
Access to EC-Council’s full library of on-demand courses |
Official e-courseware |
iLabs* |
Certification exam* |
Move to “enhance” to upgrade your experience. |
Enhance |
During your subscription, you can upgrade to a live course for $499! |
Official Printed Courseware |
iLabs* |
Certification exam* |
Lastly, receive ongoing professional development by moving to the Continuing Education phase! |
Continuing Education |
Continue to learn and gather continuing education credits with EC-Council Pro! |
Premium Content: 600+ Premium Online Cybersecurity Courses |
Fresh Content: 15,000+ Lab Demos to Practice Your New Skills |
EC-Council Pro course videos come with lab demos to reinforce course learning concepts and create a constant career learning companion. |
Self-Paced Learning, Anytime, Anywhere.
On-Demand Training Includes:
- CCISO Online Self-Paced Streaming Video Course (1 year access)
- E-Courseware
- Certificate of Completion
- Certification Exam
Think you’re ready?
Have questions?