Most People Who Earned the CISM Took Just Under 5 Months to Prepare
by Ross Heintzkill | Published on January 29, 2025
The ISACA CISM certification is a highly respected credential for security management professionals. But how long does it take to prepare for the CISM exam? Certified professionals on Twitter, LinkedIn, and email told us how long it took them, so we could give you an estimate based on their experiences and help you plan your study schedule. Keep reading to find out how much time you’ll need to prepare for the CISM certification.
What is the CISM?
CISM stands for Certified Information Security Manager. It's a very popular certification for IT/security managers from ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association) a professional organization of IT/IS auditors and managers. The CISM certification is designed for experienced IT professionals looking to advance in information security management. It’s ideal for IT managers, security consultants, or those looking to move into leadership roles in information security.
Note: this is different from the CISA, which is another credential from ISACA.
The CISM focuses on managing and overseeing an organization’s information security program, including risk management, governance, and incident response. Employers value CISM because it shows that a candidate has both technical expertise and the ability to align security strategies with broader business goals, making them crucial for leadership roles in cybersecurity.
The CISM exam costs $760 if you're not a member of ISACA or $575 if you are (and it only costs $145 to join, so it’s worth the membership). It's a serious exam where you'll have four hours to answer 150 information security management and governance questions. There is a prerequisite to taking it: five years of relevant work experience in the field.
How Long Does it Take to Study for the CISM?
The time it took our survey respondents to study for the CISM shows a significant spread, probably reflecting the range of experience and study approaches among candidates. 14% of respondents prepared in less than six weeks, but most people needed much more time. About 55% of candidates spent between 3 to 5 months studying before taking the exam.
If you're preparing for CISM, expect the time it'll take you to study to depend heavily on the study resources you use and how dedicated you are to your study plan. Focusing on a structured study plan and leveraging hands-on scenarios or case studies can help you manage your preparation more effectively.
What's on the CISM Test?
The CISM exam is a 150-question test of your ability to assess risks, implement effective governance, and proactively respond to incidents. CISM highlights emerging technologies like AI and blockchain and top-of-mind concerns like data breaches and ransomware attacks. Preparing for the test with an online ISACA course can help anyone, even experienced data center administrators.
The test has four sections:
Information Security Governance
Information Security Risk Management
Information Security Program
Incident Management
The ISACA CISM test focuses on skills needed for managing and governing information security in an organization. The test covers building a security strategy that aligns with company goals, understanding organizational culture, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
The test also emphasizes risk management, focusing on identifying, assessing, and responding to information security risks. Experience in evaluating potential threats and vulnerabilities, developing risk response plans, and continuously monitoring and reporting risks will be essential.
As mentioned, CISM prep can take between three and five months, but an online course can help shorten that time quite a lot. Rather than go it alone, follow along with CISM online training that breaks down complex topics and gives you a structured approach to figuring out topics like risk management and governance.
Why Should I Spend Months Earning the CISM?
Three to five months is a long time to commit to certification, but for mid-career security professionals, it can be time well spent if you want to move into security management or consulting with the CISM cert. Employers and companies have no better way of knowing that you have a firm grasp on governance, risk, and security strategies than seeing a CISM after your name.
Especially if you're aiming for leadership roles, the CISM is a great cert to consider. Globally recognized as a benchmark for expertise in making critical, high-level decisions about securing sensitive information, it looks great on a resume.
Unlike technical certifications focusing on specific tools or technologies, CISM validates your ability to build, lead, and assess an organization’s security framework from a strategic perspective. The knowledge you gain from taking a CISM course and earning the cert can help you manage and communicate risks to non-technical stakeholders, ensuring that security measures align with overall business goals.
This kind of high-level understanding makes CISM holders very valuable for bridging the gap between technical teams and executive leadership.
How to Earn the CISM in Under Three Months
CISM takes a big commitment – three to five months – but the right tools can make the study journey feel more manageable and help you get certified faster.
Use Online Training Resources
Finding CISM training independently is tough, especially for a management-focused certification. CBT Nuggets offers a course tailored to CISM, covering governance, risk management, and information security strategies. With a structured, comprehensive course, you’ll stay organized and cut down study time by focusing on what matters most for the certification and for advancing your career in security management.
Apply Real-World Scenarios
Understanding complex security management requires more than just theory, and the CISM course from CBT Nuggets incorporates real-world scenarios to help you apply key concepts. You’ll dive into situations involving risk assessment, incident response, and governance through case studies and realistic scenarios. This practical experience goes beyond standard study, helping you build confidence and develop a solid foundation in security management—essential for mastering CISM topics quickly and effectively.
Test Yourself Using a Practice Exam
A CISM practice exam from CBT Nuggets helps you test your knowledge and show you which areas need further review. Practice tests provide a real sense of the exam structure, so you’ll know what to expect and feel confident going in. With this focused prep, you’ll be ready for certification in less time, with a clear understanding of your strengths and weaknesses.
Learn From Experts
Information security management can feel overwhelming, but CBT Nuggets’ instructors break down CISM concepts into digestible lessons. Their expertise and real-world examples make learning practical and relevant, saving you time and ensuring you’re fully prepared.
Looking to move up in security management? The CISM certification can take you there. Three to five months might feel like a big commitment, but CBT Nuggets’ CISM course is designed to help you maximize your study time.
It’s a targeted way to gain the knowledge and confidence you need to take on higher-level security roles. Invest in your career growth and let CBT Nuggets bring you closer to certification and career advancement.