In the world of advanced cyber security practices, if there is anything that retains the utmost significance in the industry, it is the various certifications that cyber security professionals acquire over time. There are a total of 8 certifications that are offered for advanced cyber security practices by (ISC)². It is the world's largest non-profit organization that aims to strengthen the best practices of cyber security, and gears toward building the largest global community of people working in the field of cyber certifications. Today, we will draw a detailed comparison between two out of the eight certifications. We will discuss the OSCP certification and the CISSP certification along with the main point of difference between them. So, without further ado, let's jump directly into the CISSP vs OSCP comparison.
While talking about the differences between OSCP and CISSP, don't forget to check out the article on CASP vs CISSP.
CISSP stands for certified information systems security professional. It is one of the (ICS)2 certifications are issued to people after completing the CISSP training and clearance of the CISSP exam. It is a certification that validates the ability and knowledge of a cyber security professional to design, implement and manage advanced cyber security systems and devices. It focuses on strengthening components like managing security risk, identifying system security vulnerabilities, assessing security systems, and forming and maintaining an advanced security system. It is a certification that testifies your knowledge and ability to be a top tier cyber security professional in the industry. If you are interested in the CISSP certification, the best time to channel your interest is now, you can enrol in CISSP certification online courses by clicking here.
The OSCP full form is offensive security certified professional. OSCP is a certification issued by Offensive security also known as OffSec, it is related to the field of advanced cyber security and information security. The OSCP exam focuses on validating and providing the necessary knowledge for being a penetration tester. During the OSCP certification training, aspirants learn to establish penetration testing skills along with cyber defence practices. OSCP is one of the most respected multi-dimensional certifications in the field of advanced cyber security and InfoSec.
A professional who possesses an OSCP certification has practical knowledge of security vulnerabilities, configuration mistakes, infrastructures, and security systems and devices. Cyber security professionals, who bear an OSCP certification, learn and hold knowledge of penetration testing methodologies using tools inherent in the Kali Linux distribution. Kali is an open-source Linux distribution that enables IT and security professionals to evaluate the security of their systems. Cyber security is an integral part of the OSCP certification, it is the base of the concepts taught during OSCP training. If you are looking to strengthen your basics for OSCP certification training, you should try out.
Cyber Security training courses by knowledgeHut, click on the link below for more information.
Let's see the OSCP vs CISSP analysis in terms of a table.
Parameters | OSCP | CISSP |
Credential | Offensive Security Certified Professional offered by OffSec | Certified Information Systems Security Professional offered by ISC2 |
Target Audience | Penetration Testers, Ethical Hackers | Security professionals, Managers, Auditors |
Scope | Offensive Security, Penetration Testing | Comprehensive Information Security |
Exam Format | 24-hour hands-on practical exam | 250 multiple-choice questions, adaptive format |
Industry Recognition | Highly regarded in penetration testing | Widely recognized in the information security industry |
Job Duties | Hands-on penetration testing, ethical hacking | Security policy development, risk management, secure architecture |
Salary | $70k to $130k | $103k to $170k |
We now have a decent idea about both the certifications and observe that both of them hold some similarities, both OSCP and the CISSP certifications are related to the advanced cyber security field. And both of the certifications focus on strengthening advanced cyber security practices. But let us now draw a detailed comparison between the two certifications and discuss various aspects of studying OSCP vs CISSP.
CISSP
The CISSP examination has questions based on the 10 domains it consists of. The exam is taken in a multiple-choice question format. There are a total of 250 multiple choice questions which are to be finished in a time duration of 6 hours by any candidate. Out of the 250 multiple choice questions, 25 are the pretest questions. The important topics of the CISSP examination include telecommunications and network security, access control, information security governance and risk management, software development security, cryptography, operations security, business continuity and disaster recovery planning legal, investigations and compliance, and physical security. A candidate needs to score 700 out of 1000 to pass the examination. And the CISSP examination cost is $599.
OSCP
The OSCP certification examination is nothing like the normal examinations that we have attempted or heard of. This examination pattern maintains the stature of the certification in the industry. The OSCP examination is supposed to be completed within 24 hours, and the documentation it requires needs to be submitted in the next 24 hours of the examination. All OSCP exams are digitally proctored. During the examination, each candidate is given 3 independent targets, and one active directory set, that consists of two clients and one domain controller. Detailed instructions for each task in the examination are provided in the exam control panel but they are available only when the OSCP examination starts. The documentation requirements of the OSCP examination are intense. The documentation requirements of the OSCP examination are very strict, and the failure to provide sufficient documents results in zero points or failure. The important topics of the examination are passive information gathering, active information gathering, vulnerability scanning, buffer overflows, bypassing antivirus software, password attacks, file transfers, client-side attacks, the Metasploit framework and penetration test breakdown. And the OSCP certification cost $800.
CISSP
The CISSP certification has two certification level requirements. The first is to maintain a mandatory membership with (ISC)². The membership fee is $125. The second is to earn and maintain a score of 120 CPE.
OSCP
Just like the CISSP certification, the OSCP certification has two certification levels as well. The first is the academic exam level, in which the candidate gets 3 independent targets and 1 active directory set and they have to work on it for 24 hours. The next is the documentation exam, the documentation needs to be submitted within the next 24 hours, after the academic exam. It is noteworthy that in the OSCP examination, documents play a critical role. Failure in producing the documents results in failing the examination.
CISSP
All the domains of the CISSP examination are equally important and are taught during the certification training. There are eight domains in the CISSP examination, that are: -
OSCP
There are two domains in the OSCP examination. Both the domains need to be completed in 24 hours. The domains are: -
CISSP
The CISSP certification is one of the most valued certifications in the arena of cyber security. Various companies are actively looking for professionals who possess the certification, which has created a demand for people with the CISSP certification worldwide. This demand has resulted in an upsurge in the salaries of the professionals possessing the CISSP certification. A cyber security professional that has a CISSP certification earns about $156,659 annually.
OSCP
OSCP is one of the most valued and intense certifications in the field of cyber security. It is among a few top tier exams which focus on practical knowledge extensively. Due to its extensive focus on practical knowledge, recruiters are actively looking for people with the OSCP certification, which has resulted in a hike in the demand for OSCP certification holders, which has shown a visible impact on the salaries of the OSCP certification holders. On average, an OSCP certification holder earns $96,000 annually.
CISSP
CISSP Job Duties:
OSCP
OSCP Job Duties:
OSCP: In the information security industry, the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) credential is highly acknowledged and recognised on a global scale. One of the top providers of practical, real-world cybersecurity training and certification is Offensive Security, which offers the OSCP certification. Numerous firms actively seek out applicants with the OSCP certification because they understand its significance, which includes both govt. and private organisations.
Furthermore, Offensive Security has qualified specialists in more than 140 countries globally and is an internationally recognised organisation. The OSCP certification is relevant and well-respected across national boundaries and industry sectors thanks to its widespread reach and recognition.
CISSP: CISSP is a globally accepted, vendor-neutral standard, that attests to an IT security professional's technical proficiency and practical expertise designing, implementing, and overseeing security programs.
IT, healthcare, banking, government, and the military are just a few of the industries where CISSP specialists work in information security roles. The CISSP has authorization from the American National Standards Institute. Furthermore, the UK National Academic Recognition Information has assessed it, and the US Department of Defence has authorised it.
We have talked in detail about both the certifications individually and have also discussed the points of differences between them. After this, we observe that both the certifications are issued by the same organization and in the same field, i.e., cyber security. Both fields have their strengths.
Choosing between OSCP and CISSP depends on your career goals and interests:
1) If you love hands-on hacking and want to specialize in offensive security: What to choose between OSCP vs CISSP
Choose OSCP. It's like becoming a cybersecurity ninja, actively breaking into systems, and fixing vulnerabilities.
2) If you aim for managerial roles and want to lead an organization's security strategy: What to choose between CISSP vs OSCP
Choose CISSP. It's the key to becoming a security manager or even a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), overseeing the big picture of security.
3) If you enjoy technical challenges and want to work as a penetration tester or ethical hacker:
Go for OSCP. It's about becoming an expert in finding and exploiting security weaknesses.
4) If you're interested in creating and implementing security policies at an organizational level:
Opt for CISSP. It's more about being the architect of an organization's overall security.
5) If you want versatility and recognition across various security domains:
CISSP is broader, offering a comprehensive understanding of security principles.
In essence, OSCP is for hands-on technical specialists, while CISSP is for those aiming at managerial and strategic leadership roles in information security. Consider your passion and career path to make the right choice when choosing CISSP or OSCP.
You can also pursue knowledgeHut’s CISSP certification online courses to strengthen your concepts.
A comparison of the CISSP and OSCP certifications shows that the cybersecurity sector values both of these credentials highly. In contrast to OSCP, which focuses practical skills and knowledge through its hands-on approach and specialist certifications, CISSP offers a more thorough grasp of multiple cybersecurity subjects. Which certification between OSCP vs CISSP is best depends on personal interests, professional goals, and the specific demands of the job market.
But when choosing the best path to advance one's cybersecurity profession, it is imperative to get the guidance and expertise of a reputable training facility. The KnowledgeHut best online Cyber Security certificate programs are such courses that will undoubtedly be helpful.
No, OSCP is not better than CISSP or vice versa, both the certifications hold worth individually, and one must pursue any of them based on their requirements and needs. CISSP is best for people who have an interest in maintaining, designing and working on advanced security systems whereas the OSCP certification is for people who are interested in ethical hacking, information security and penetration testing.
Yes, OSCP is an entry-level penetration testing certification. It is a very well respected certificate in the cyber security and ethical hacking field. It is perfect for people who are into defensive security or information security.
Yes, one can easily get jobs with an OSCP certification, it is one of the few certifications that focuses on practical knowledge more than theoretical knowledge. The additional focus of the OSCP certification on practical knowledge is a testimony of the ability of the OSCP certification holders to work on real-time problems.
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