What is the CISSP Mentorship Program?
The global demand for cybersecurity talent has been a topic of discussion within the security and risk management landscape for many years. Pre-pandemic research indicated there would be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions by 2021.
Our mentor program is taught by industry-leading professionals and provided at no cost to participants as a way to help fill those open positions. By preparing you for the CISSP certification exam, we’re investing in the industry, and opening doors for future well-qualified information security professionals.
CISSP Training
Sessions
students
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14 Years Running
Over the past 14 years, the CISSP Mentorship Program has trained over 40,000 students reaching from all over the globe. The program is taught by industry-leading experts who volunteer their wealth of knowledge as well as practical real-world experience to deliver a high-quality training experience. The training consists of 13 sessions that are scaffolded to align with the domains of the test and prepare students with the tools they need to pass the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need five years of experience for the CISSP certification?
For the CISSP certification, you do need five years of verified industry experience on top of passing the exam. However, there is an associate CISSP certification you can receive if you fall short of the time requirement. We suggest taking this course regardless of your industry experience or skill level—it’s a perfect base building course for general infosec knowledge and practice.
Which is better: CISSP or Security+?
There is no better or worse when it comes to security certifications. The choice should come with your goals in mind. Security+ is more of a starting point. The CISSP certification is more well-rounded—geared for the more professional long term. Many who get the Security+ certification end up needing a CISSP eventually.
Is CISSP in high demand?
Over the past few years, business leaders have woken up to the fact that they need employees with a true security mind and focus to help drive their business initiatives. Given this, and that the CISSP is widely considered the gold standard in security certifications, CISSPs are certainly in high demand.
Is CISSP equivalent to master's degree?
While the CISSP is not a direct equivalent to a Master’s Degree, it can be viewed similarly in some scenarios. When folks go and get an undergrad degree they do so to learn the fundamentals. The same is true for a Security+ certification. Enrolling in a masters or MBA program then allows them to get practical education with the intent on putting it into real-world efforts. The CISSP is meant to focus on practical security application, and therefore is similar in that respect.
How much does the CISSP course cost?
While most CISSP courses cost a few thousand dollars, we offer our course free.
$0.00
This program is now, always has been, and always will be free. It is led by volunteers whose mission is to fix the broken information security industry. One of the ways we can accomplish this is by removing barriers to entry in the infosec field.
You will only be responsible for purchasing the textbook and covering the exam costs should you decide to take it.
How do I register for this CISSP Training Program?
Sign up for free via Eventbrite
What books or other materials do I need?
Main: Title: The Official (ISC)2 CISSP CBK Reference, Sixth Edition (Paperback) by Arthur J. Deane, & Aaron Kraus. Language: English ISBN-10: 111978990, ISBN-13: 978-1119789994
Not covered, but helpful: CISSP: 2 Books in 1: The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Learn the Fundamentals of Information System Security + Tips and Strategies to Pass the CISSP Exam on Your First Attempt (Paperback) by Robert Preston. ISBN-13 : 979-8639674624
Can I get CPE credits for this course?
We are unfortunately unable to offer CPE credits to attendees for this course. Due to the way the course is structured, we cannot verify attendance for the sessions. However, for CISSP and CISM you can self report taking the course and claim CPEs that way.
How do I cancel my registration?
Attendees can cancel free registrations in the Tickets section of their Eventbrite account.
2023 Course Schedule
April 10: Introduction
April 12: Domain 1: Security & Risk Management
April 17: Domains 2 & 3: Asset Security & Security Architecture
April 19: Domain 3: Security Architecture & Engineering
April 24: BREAK
April 26: Domain 3: Security Architecture & Engineering
May 1: Domain 4: Communication & Network Security
May 3: Domain 4: Communication & Network Security
May 8: Domain 5: Identity & Access Management
May 10: BREAK
May 15: Domain 6: Security Assessment and Testing
May 17: Domain 7: Security Operations
May 22: Domain 7 & 8: Security Operations & Software Development Security
May 24: Review & Exam Prep
May 29: BREAK (MEMORIAL DAY)
May 31: Final Exam Prep
Participants Span the Globe
The CISSP Mentorship program is available free of charge to anyone wanting to participate. The map below shows our program’s reach throughout the globe. Our 2022 program participants registered from 137 different countries; and we expect 2023 to be even more expansive.
Stay With Us
What's it used for?
Keep it FREE
We use donations to help fund the programs. We are adamant that the programs we provide are at no or very little cost to participants.
Build New Programs
We use donations to help build more program offerings and create meaningful and relevant curriculum.
Extend our Reach
We use donations to help extend our reach and attract a more diverse attendee pool.
Extend our Resource Offerings
Help us reach our goal of creating more resources for the InfoSec industry and creating a platform to connect job seekers with employers.
CISSP Mentorship Program
Dustin "Dusti" Kimmons
"I highly recommend the FREE CISSP Mentorship program. I went through the program in 2021 and it made a huge impact on my passing the test. They will go through the study guide and explain the different areas. If you have questions you can ask during the webinar. They also setup a forum for people to communicate with each other and instructors."
Victoria Fogarty, CISSP
"The CISSP mentorship program is a gift. I was new to the industry and limited budget for training. Having the ability to learn what I needed to, from experts in the industry, for free, and over a period of time that seemed reasonable for the material, was an opportunity I could not pass up. With their practical and no BS approach, I was able to pass the CISSP exam on the first attempt. I highly recommend anyone interested, even if they are not going to take the exam, to attend this program."
Austin Denyer, CISSP, CCSP
"The complex subject matter was presented in a clear and understandable way. They helped me to believe that I really could earn the CISSP - something I had always wanted but considered an unobtainable dream. I passed the CISSP on my first attempt, and I know this program played a large part in that."
Alexander Berry, SEC+ | CvCISO
"The CISSP Mentorship program is a fantastic resource for preparing to take the CISSP exam. While a significant degree of personal effort and study is required regardless of how you prepare, this program is extraordinary for walking through the material with the guidance of experts and support from other students. The additional information provided by the instructors’ personal experiences make this course a great learning experience for students of all experience levels."
Jax Scott- Outpost Gray
"I've been attending the FRSecure CISSP course for three years straight now, and I can say without a doubt that it's been a valuable refresher every time. Evan Francen and his team are tenured experts with practical experience, and they deliver each session with great expertise. I'd recommend this course to anyone interested in taking the CISSP exam, looking for a solid refresher, or just wanting to network with like-minded members of the community."
Arin Brown
"The CISSP Mentorship Program is a really practical way to understand the CISSP material, and Evan Francen and the team of instructors did such an amazing job of bridging the material to real world situations and circumstances that InfoSec professionals will encounter. For those of you that know the instructors you won’t be surprised to hear that they found ways to make the learning on this topic really fun! When I think about going through the program back in 2016, I remember being really impressed that the leadership at FRSecure had made the commitment to offer this important program at no cost to the participants. I’m even more impressed today that they have kept that same spirit alive and that they have stayed true to the mission to fix a broken industry."
Melissa Kjendle, CISSP | SEC+ | NET+
"When I was first introduced to the FRSecure CISSP Mentorship Program, I thought it was too good to be true! No more waiting for my employer to approve the cost of coursework and allow me to spend time away from work. Classes were offered in the evenings and recorded if I missed one, and the only out of pocket cost to get started was the textbook ($50) and 30 hours of online class time. The classes were engaging and helped me gain a foundational understanding of Information Security from the experts. I attended the classes in the spring of 2019 and again in 2020 before passing my exam!"