Security Basics mailing list archives

RE: CISSP Question


From: "Craig Wright" <Craig.Wright () bdo com au>
Date: Thu, 3 May 2007 07:36:02 +1000

Experience as a "meer operator" is specifically excluded. A gate guard is not involved in the design of security 
systems. 

If you read the requirements you should see that this is not a loophole and is not a valid set of experience.

Next it involves professional experience. Sorry for those on the list who believe otherwise, but a security guard is 
not considered as a professional. There are codes of conduct and legistlation for security guards, but they are not in 
any way professional.

In this - the legal taxonomy of professional is all that counts. How a court will read the term is defined in case law 
dating to the 12th century and is valid (though updated by state statute) in the US as well most (if not all) common 
law countries.

"Professional responsibility. A paradigm case of the moral responsibility that arises from the special knowledge that 
one possesses. It is mastery of a special body of advanced knowledge, particularly knowledge which bears directly on 
the well-being of others, that demarcates a profession. As custodians of special knowledge which bears on human 
well-being, professionals are constrained by special moral responsibilities; that is, moral requirements to apply their 
knowledge in ways that benefit the rest of the society."

Security Gauards are not professionals. They do not act as professionals. How well they do their job has nothing to do 
with the term.

Regards,
Craig



Craig Wright
Manager of Information Systems

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Craig.Wright () bdo com au
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-----Original Message-----

From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On Behalf Of Florian Rommel
Sent: Thursday, 3 May 2007 6:34 AM
To: Simmons, James
Cc: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: Re: CISSP Question


Touché James. Well done you pointed the one thing out that I have been
thinking about for a while as well. However in 99% I would say a person that
has been on Guard duty for 4 years won't have much interest in a CISSP and
then , if he should get it, will have to do quite some catching up to do.
Most employers will find it rather weird that he or she was doing guard duty
for 4 years and got a CISSP   :)

I do think though that this is a viable loophole for anyone that wants to
exploit it that way. I do think it is a little far fetched because you still
have to show that your job included some of the actions on the list.

Good point though, I like it. Wonder what ISC2 has to say about this and how
many people have used that or a similar loophole already.

Cheers,

//Flosse

http://blog.2blocksaway.com

On 5/2/07 10:57 PM, "Simmons, James" <jsimmons () eds com> wrote:

So here is a thought for everyone.

To qualify for CISSP, you should have at least four years of experience in one
of the ten domains. Of which includes Physical Security. So with a bit of
cramming, your gun cleaning, gate guard of 4 years can be a qualified CISSP
with next to minimal experience in Information security.
And as per the ISC2 webpage, to qualify experience you need to have done some
of the included actions.
(https://www.isc2.org/cgi-bin/content.cgi?category=1187)

Reactions anyone?

P.S. I am not saying that all gate guards are incapable of being good CISSP's.
I am just pointing out an all too common scenario.

Regards,

Simmons

-----Original Message-----
From: listbounce () securityfocus com [mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On
Behalf Of Florian Rommel
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 10:53 AM
To: Nicolas villatte; krymson () gmail com; security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: Re: CISSP Question

I agree with Nicolas here. I definitely wouldn't endorse a Desktop Jockey with
4 years of experience. I already filed once a complaint because I know a guy
who, because he has some certifications and has worked as a pc support, thinks
he is qualified to take the exam. His "boss/ partner in crime" was ready to
sign off on it. I know for some people a certification like the CISSP doesn't
mean much but that still shouldn't mean anyone can get in. I had my work
experience fully documented by all my previous employers  before I took the
exam.

Security experience in any of the 10 domains for 4 years doesnt mean that
during those 4 years you should have done something security related at some
point it means that your position was directly security related.

//flosse
http://blog.2blocksaway.com


On 5/2/07 9:47 AM, "Nicolas villatte" <Nicolas.Villatte () chello be> wrote:

Not really, because 5% of your time involved in security during 4
years would give you barely 2 months of experience. I don't know any
CISSP who would endorse such a candidate.

https://www.isc2.org/cgi/content.cgi?category=1187

"Applicants must have a minimum of four years of direct full-time
security professional work experience in one or more of the ten
domains of the (ISC)² CISSP® CBK®."

Regards,
Nicolas.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
------
--------

Nicolas VILLATTE

CISSP, GCIA, GCIH, GCFA

Sr. Security Management Specialist


-----Original Message-----
From: listbounce () securityfocus com
[mailto:listbounce () securityfocus com] On Behalf Of krymson () gmail com
Sent: mardi 1 mai 2007 14:14
To: security-basics () securityfocus com
Subject: RE: CISSP Question

Just a quick add, don't overthink the 4 years' experience requirement.
You need that experience in any one (or more) of the 10 domains.
Honestly, if you're a desktop support jockey for 4 years and you do
some sort of security as part of your work (do you manage passwords
and/or respond to spyware incidents?), you can still qualify. Realistically,
anyone with 4 years'
experience in IT.





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