The best CISM study resources for information security managers

Becoming a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) distinguishes you as having the knowledge and experience to handle complex security challenges in today's technological environment. CISMs understand the relationship between a security program and the broader business goals of their enterprise or industry. As you search for the best CISM study resources, it's important to find materials that prepare you for both the certification exam and your future role.

While cultivating their managerial skills, CISMs become security experts who can function within an elite peer network of professionals. You, too, can earn a CISM certification and take advantage of exciting career opportunities. But what are the best ways to prepare? How can you find what you need to take this vital step? Do you have the right resources? Let's explore the most effective CISM preparation resources available to help you succeed.

$150,040 average salary

ISACA CISM is one of the industry's highest-paying cybersecurity certifications. Take your information security management career to new heights and enroll now to claim your Exam Pass Guarantee!

View Pricing

Free online resources for CISM exam prep

Various free CISM study materials are available to help you prepare for the certification exam without spending money upfront. These free CISM resources can be an excellent starting point in your preparation journey.

ISACA, the organization that administers the exam, provides a free CISM practice quiz to test your knowledge against the CISM domains. This gives you a baseline understanding of where you stand in your preparation.

Community forums like TechExams and Reddit have dedicated sections where you can connect with others who are studying for or have already taken the CISM exam. These platforms offer valuable insights into information security study materials and governance study resources that worked for others.

Several cybersecurity podcasts cover CISM-related topics, providing alternative ways to absorb key concepts during your commute or downtime. These audio resources often feature interviews with experienced CISMs who share their journeys and security management learning tips.

Learn about the most recent CISM exam changes on this episode of Cyber Work Hacks.

Infosec partners with ISACA for free webcasts on CISM certification topics, such as exploring the ISACA career path. You can also download Infosec's free career and certification ebooks and guides for more advice:

• Cybersecurity certifications and skills: A roadmap for mid-career professionals
• Cybersecurity salary guide: Popular and top-paying certifications and roles 
• Are you training the wrong way? 5 mistakes to avoid when preparing for your exam

These free CISM resources are a great way to start your exam journey without a significant financial investment.

Online training resources for CISM exam prep

Need more structured preparation? The average CISM salary in the U.S. is now over $166,000. Investing in quality CISM study guides and training now can significantly impact your future career and earnings. The CISM exam cost is just one expense to consider in your overall preparation budget. Here are some top CISM review materials to consider:

Boot camps from Authorized Training Partners

Authorized training partners like Infosec Institute work directly with ISACA to deliver training to professionals looking to prepare for the ISACA exam, such as CISM.

With a pass rate of over 93 percent, this 5-day CISM Boot Camp from Infosec is the go-to for many students looking to get certified quickly. After completing this intense course, which is available live online or in-person, you'll walk away with the knowledge, expertise and confidence to successfully pass the CISM exam. The boot camp comes with an Exam Pass Guarantee, which means if you don't pass the exam on your first attempt, you can get a second attempt at the training and the exam at no additional cost.

For those seeking tips for CISM exam success, a boot camp may be a great option to set you up for success. The Infosec Boot Camps also include official ISACA resources, such as the questions and answers database, described below.

If you can't get time off for live training, self-paced training options are also available. 

CISM Questions, Answers & Explanations Database

Another valuable online resource is the CISM Questions, Answers & Explanations Database, which includes practice exam sets for each domain, including in-depth explanations for each answer choice. This allows you to fully understand the correct and incorrect answers for each question, and how ISACA thinks you should approach the CISM exam

This is the go-to way for CISM candidates to get a sense of what the exam is like. You can purchase access from the ISACA store, or it may be included in training from an authorized partner like Infosec.

$150,040 average salary

ISACA CISM is one of the industry's highest-paying cybersecurity certifications. Take your information security management career to new heights and enroll now to claim your Exam Pass Guarantee!

View Pricing

Best CISM books for exam preparation

Because the CISM is a comprehensive review of four main areas: security governance, risk management, information security programs and incident management, it demands thorough knowledge of many subjects. One key way to gain this knowledge is by studying books written specifically for CISM certification. Here are some of the best CISM books to consider:

Official ISACA Review Manual, 16th edition, eBook

Starting with the official source from the hosting organization, this CISM book is easy to access. It only requires a personal device with an internet connection and a PUB3-compatible e-Reader that uses Adobe DRM with an Adobe Content Server ID. Once you've created a login and added the resource to your online library, you can access these ISACA study guides immediately.

The eBook divides chapters into two sections. Section 1 takes you through:

• Definitions and objectives for the four domains
• Task and knowledge statements
• Self-assessment questions, answers and explanations
• Suggested resources for further study

Section 2 contains reference material and definitions of the terms most found on the CISM certification exam. This section also contains supporting content for the knowledge statements in Section 1, making it one of the most comprehensive certified information security manager books available.

CISM Certified Information Security Manager All-in-One Exam Guide

Authored by computer security expert and speaker Peter H. Gregory, this certified information security manager book offers complete coverage of every topic in the latest version of the CISM exam in the form of a study guide.

By integrating self-study and expert information, this book will help you develop confidence while learning applicable, practical information. It focuses primarily on the exam itself, which can be wonderfully reassuring to those about to meet the challenge, by carefully reviewing each section of governance, risk management, program development and incident management.

It's a thorough and complete resource with clear learning objectives at the start of each chapter and in-depth explanations at the end of each discussion. Because it pays close attention to the current CISM exam, it offers valuable insight and advice on what to look out for and how to succeed. Through this pragmatic discussion, readers develop a more intuitive sense of what lies ahead and better confidence in their test-taking skills.

CISM practice exams to test your readiness

Many CISM practice exams are available online and in the market. Here are some of the best options to assess your exam readiness:

Free CISM self-assessment exam by ISACA

Passing the CISM exam demands thorough knowledge and demonstration of the cybersecurity world. As such, it's important to self-assess while preparing for the test and determining areas of strength and weakness. This CISM practice test has 10 questions to give you a sense of what types of questions you may see on the exam. It's not enough to get you prepared, but it's a start.

CISM training at Infosec Skills

Infosec offers a certification training exam learning path for the CISM. By selecting the CISM cert, you can access high-quality training materials, including videos, labs and CISM practice exam questions. This contains fewer questions than you get with a full CISM Boot Camp, which includes authorized ISACA materials like a subscription to the Q&A database described above.

CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual

If you'd rather not use the online database of questions, you can purchase (or find at your local library) the CISM Review Questions, Answers & Explanations Manual, 10th Edition. This manual contains 1,000 multiple-choice questions, along with their supporting answers and explanations. This book presents its questions in two different ways. The first is by domain, and the second is a sample exam where the questions are scrambled, which is what exam candidates will experience on exam day.

Earn a $150,040 Salary with an ISACA CISM

The employment of information systems managers is projected to grow 16% by 2031. Get your ISACA CISM to launch into the field — backed with an Exam Pass Guarantee.

Learn More

Never stop upleveling

Earning the CISM certification is a great way to uplevel your information security manager career. The best way to prepare for the CISM certification exam is to choose from the CISM study resources presented above and create your own toolbox of preparation materials.

For more information on the CISM exam and CISM CPE opportunities, visit our ISACA CISM hub.