CISSP – A Journey That Continues Beyond the Exam

This was the toughest exam I’ve taken so far and, in my opinion, it’s much more

challenging than the CCSP I passed last year.

For me, studying wasn't just about preparing for an exam—it was a genuine passion to

improve myself in all 8 domains.

The journey...

Right from the start, I chose LukeAhmed’s course from

https://www.studynotesandtheory.com/ (the same one that helped me pass the CCSP

last year), and I truly believe it offers the best explanations and structure for CISSP

success.

Luke has a fantastic ability to make topics both entertaining and professional, and his

real-world examples make complex concepts easier understandable.

Honestly, I felt like I lived and breathed these topics every day—sometimes I’d even

spot “CBC” on license plates and instantly think of block cipher modes.

Luke, you know what I mean! 😄

Whenever I had questions, Luke responded very quickly with helpful answers.

Also, his practice questions are designed to challenge you, and this really helps you

recall what you’ve learned and choose the best answer—not just the technically correct

one. This will also help you to get into the right mindset.

What makes CISSP different is that it forces you to think beyond memorization and

applying your knowledge to a real-world examples what your job actually or later on

will be.

You need deep conceptual understanding but also technical knowledge and the ability

to apply it in real-world scenarios.

One strategy that proved essential for me was creating my own notes after each chapter,

whether during the course or while reading the Official Study Guide (OSG)etc.

Although this process required significant time and effort, it greatly aided my

understanding of weaker areas and allowed for efficient, targeted review.

As an Automation Security Engineer, this milestone also strengthens how I bridge IT

and OT security—designing and implementing strategies that protect both digital and

industrial environments.

Study resources that helped me the most

Courses

• Luke Ahmed CISSP Course & Questions — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10)

• Pete Zerger’s YouTube Course — ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ (9/10)

Books

• Official Study Guide (OSG) 9th & 10th Ed. — ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ (8/10)

• Destination Certification — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10)

• The Last Mile (Pete Zerger) — ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ (9/10)

• The Memory Palace — ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ (9/10)

Practice Questions

• Luke practice question (included in the course) — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10)

• QE — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10)

• Certpreps — ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (09/10)

• LearnZapp — ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ (8/10)

• PocketPrep — ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ (8/10)

Huge thanks to @LukeAhmed, @PeteZerger, @PrashantMohan, and @PrabhNair for

their resources and guidance. 🙏

This milestone fuels me to keep learning, keep building, and keep contributing to a

safer, more secure future.

Final Notes

Embarking on the CISSP journey is not just about passing a difficult exam—it is an

ongoing commitment to personal and professional growth. The process requires far

more than memorizing facts; it demands a deep understanding of all eight domains, a

passion for continuous learning, and the ability to apply knowledge in practical, real-

world scenarios.

The path doesn’t end with exam success!

Instead, reaching this milestone serves as a foundation for continued development,

bridging the gap between theory and practice, and fueling a drive to keep learning,

building, and contributing to the field of cybersecurity.

Best wishes to all CISSP exam candidates for success!