The ISC2 Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (ISSAP) is an elite, advanced-level concentration certification built on top of the CISSP, designed for senior cybersecurity professionals who specialize in developing, designing, and analyzing security solutions at an organizational level. The ISSAP validates the highest level of expertise in security architecture — bridging the gap between executive leadership and technical security implementation. ISSAP-certified professionals play a critical role in aligning security strategies with organizational vision, mission, and business goals, while providing risk-based guidance to senior management. Accredited to ISO/IEC 17024 by ANAB and recognized under the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD 8140) framework, the ISSAP is one of the most respected advanced cybersecurity credentials in the world. Updated in August 2025 with a revised exam outline developed through a rigorous Job Task Analysis (JTA), the ISSAP reflects the latest real-world security architecture challenges and best practices.
Audience Profile
- Chief Security Officers (CSOs) and Chief Technology Officers (CTOs)
- Security Architects and System Architects responsible for enterprise-wide security design
- System and Network Designers building secure infrastructure
- Business Analysts working at the intersection of security strategy and business objectives
- Senior cybersecurity professionals looking to specialize and differentiate in security architecture
- CISSP holders ready to deepen their expertise in a focused, advanced domain
What will you learn?
The updated ISSAP exam outline covers four core domains:
- Architecting for Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) — Identifying legal, regulatory, organizational, and industry requirements; establishing security architecture approaches; and verifying and validating design against compliance frameworks such as TOGAF, SABSA, and COBIT
- Architect Infrastructure and System Security — Defining infrastructure and system security requirements, designing resilient and secure physical and logical architectures, and ensuring auditability and high assurance across complex environments
- Architect Identity Lifecycle, Authentication, Authorization and Accounting — Designing comprehensive identity and access management (IAM) architectures, authentication frameworks, privilege management systems, and accountability mechanisms
- Security Operations Architecture — Aligning security operations with organizational architecture, integrating threat management, incident response frameworks, and continuity planning into the overall security architecture
Why Get Certified?
- Demonstrates elite-level expertise in security architecture — one of the most strategically important roles in modern cybersecurity
- Recognized under the U.S. DoD 8140 framework — essential for government, defense, and federal contractor roles
- Accredited to ISO/IEC 17024 — the global standard for personnel certification
- Average salary for ISSAP holders ranges from USD $120,000 to $150,000 globally
- Newly updated exam outline (August 2025) ensures alignment with current and emerging security architecture challenges
- New AI-driven adaptive self-paced training now available — more accessible and affordable than ever, with prices reduced by up to 66%
- Backed by ISC2’s Education Guarantee — if you don’t pass on your first attempt, you can retake the training at no additional cost within one year
Prerequisites
- Hold an active CISSP in good standing and have a minimum of 2 years of cumulative, paid, full-time experience in one or more of the four ISSAP exam domains
- OR have a minimum of 7 years of cumulative, paid, full-time experience in two or more of the ISSAP exam domains (without holding a CISSP)
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