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CISM — Certified Information Security Manager

CISM is the world’s leading certification for information security management, awarded by ISACA. It proves you can design and lead an enterprise security programme — aligning security with business goals, managing risk and responding to incidents. This course prepares you to pass.

Enrol Now — £195
Duration
10–14 weeks
Format
100% online
Prerequisites
Experience required
Access
12 months

About this certification

What Is the CISM Certification?

ISACA’s globally recognised certification for information security managers and leaders.

The certification explained

CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) is ISACA’s globally recognised certification for information security managers and leaders. It covers information security governance, risk management, building and running a security programme, and incident management — the skills needed to lead security at an enterprise level.

It proves you can align security with business goals, manage risk and respond to incidents — moving you from doing security to leading it.

CISM has a genuine experience requirement. To become CISM-certified you must pass the exam and have around 5 years of information security work experience, including at least 3 years in security management across the job-practice domains (some waivers apply). You can sit the exam first and certify within 5 years once your experience is verified, and your account manager can guide you through registration.

150
exam questions across the CISM job-practice domains
4
job-practice domains covering the full security management role
ISACA
the awarding body for the CISM certification
Leadership
focused on security management, not hands-on tooling

Is this for me?

This Course Is for You If…

CISM suits security and IT professionals who want to prove their leadership with the world’s leading information security management certification.

Information Security Managers

Already leading security and want the global credential that proves it.

Aspiring security leaders

You have security experience and want to step formally into a management role.

IT Risk & Governance staff

Working in risk or governance and ready to own security management end to end.

Security Analysts moving up

Stepping up from hands-on security work into a leadership and management track.

Consultants & Advisors

Win more work with a credential clients recognise and trust worldwide.

Experienced security professionals

Years in the field and ready to formalise your expertise with the leading management credential.

Course structure & curriculum

What You’ll Learn — Module by Module

The course runs across 6 modules covering all four CISM job-practice domains, plus dedicated exam preparation. You’ll work through interactive course materials, hands-on labs, exercises and practice tests throughout.

Introduction & the CISM Exam
How the exam works · The four job-practice domains · ISACA’s experience requirement
~2 hrs
Information Security Governance
Security strategy · Aligning security with business goals · Roles, policies and frameworks
~4 hrs
Information Security Risk Management
Identifying and assessing risk · Risk treatment · Monitoring and reporting
~4 hrs
Information Security Program
Building and running a security programme · Controls and assets · Metrics and assurance
~4 hrs
Incident Management
Incident response planning · Detection and containment · Recovery and lessons learned
~4 hrs
Exam Preparation & Practice Questions
Exam technique · Full practice tests · Weak-area review · Final review
~3 hrs

What the course covers

Security governance & strategy

Aligning security with business goals

Policies, roles & frameworks

Identifying & assessing risk

Risk treatment & response

Risk monitoring & reporting

Designing a security programme

Selecting & managing controls

Protecting information assets

Security metrics & assurance

Awareness & training

Managing third-party risk

Incident response planning

Detection & containment

Recovery & continuity

Lessons learned & improvement

Exam technique & strategy

Full practice tests

What’s included

Everything You Need to Succeed

Each course includes the materials, hands-on practice, and support you need to learn the skills properly and walk into the exam ready.

12 Months Course Access

Full access to all course materials for 12 months. Study on any device, online 24/7. Never lose your progress.

Built-In AI Tutor

An AI-powered tutor built right into your course — ask it anything, any time, and get clear, instant explanations of tricky topics 24/7.

Meet your AI tutor →

Hands-On Labs & Practice Tests

Interactive course materials, hands-on labs, exercises and practice tests modelled on the real CISM exam, so you build real skills and walk in knowing what to expect.

Account Manager Support

A dedicated account manager to keep you on track, answer your questions, and guide you through registering for the exam with ISACA when you’re ready.

Help when you need it →

Certificate of Completion & Digital Badge

Complete the course and you’ll receive a Career Smarter certificate of completion and a shareable digital badge for your LinkedIn and CV. The official CISM certification itself is awarded by ISACA on passing the exam and meeting the experience requirement.

Shareable & verifiable →

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Not the right course? If you change your mind within 14 days of enrolling, we’ll refund you — no fuss.

Risk-free enrolment →

In practice

CISM in the Real World

Security only protects the business when someone leads it well. See the kind of work CISM trains you for.

Leading Governance

Aligning security with what the business actually needs

Setting strategy, defining policies and making sure security supports business goals rather than blocking them. CISM teaches the governance skills that turn security from a cost centre into a business enabler.

CISM in action The board wants to move fast on a new product. You shape a security approach that manages the risk without slowing the launch.

Managing Risk

Knowing which risks matter and what to do about them

Identifying, assessing and treating risk so resources go where they count. CISM gives you the framework to prioritise risk in business terms and report it clearly to leadership.

CISM in action A new supplier introduces unknown risk. You assess it, agree the right controls, and brief leadership with a clear recommendation.

Responding to Incidents

Leading the response when something goes wrong

A security incident isn’t just a technical problem — it’s a business one. CISM teaches you to plan, detect, contain and recover, then turn lessons learned into a stronger programme.

CISM in action An incident hits out of hours. Your response plan kicks in, the team contains it fast, and you keep the business informed throughout.

Exam details

About the CISM Exam

The CISM exam is registered and taken through ISACA — it is not sold with this course. This course is the preparation: it covers all four job-practice domains and includes practice tests so you walk in ready. Your account manager can guide you through registering with ISACA along the way.

Body
ISACA
Questions
150
Duration
4 hours
Pass mark
450 / 800
Domains
4
Experience
~5 years (for certification)

What to Expect on Exam Day

The CISM exam is registered and taken through ISACA. Here’s how the journey works, from eligibility to applying for your certification.

Meet ISACA eligibility

To become CISM-certified you need around 5 years of information security work experience, including at least 3 years in security management (some waivers apply). This course supports your preparation — check ISACA’s current requirements.

Register with ISACA

You register and pay for the exam directly with ISACA. Your account manager can guide you through the process so you register with confidence.

Schedule your exam

Once registered, you schedule the exam through ISACA — online with a remote proctor, or at a test centre near you.

On the day

You have 4 hours for 150 multiple-choice questions across the four CISM job-practice domains.

Results & applying for certification

You get your result at the end of the exam. To certify, you apply to ISACA and verify your experience — you can sit the exam first and certify within 5 years once it’s confirmed. Your account manager can point you in the right direction.

Student reviews

What Our Students Say

4.8

1,247 verified reviews

The majority of students pass first time, based on an internal student survey conducted in May 2026.

5★
80%
4★
15%
3★
5%
2★
0%
1★
0%
trustpilot
BEN Carter
Very approachable team to talk to set you up on your courses and a quick response to get you started soon as possible. Sandy was very helpful for me and setting me up for my course. Thank you
...
trustpilot
an iFi Audio Zen DAC
Highly recommend Career Smarter! Account manager Lanie is very responsive and always willing to help.
...
trustpilot
Moby
I was looking for an AgilePM foundation course and found Career Smarter (thorough the Reed website), I requested information and received a prompt and helpful response from Lanie detailing the different options and prices etc. Lanie followed up a few days later but there was no sense of feeling pressured, nor any phone calls, just email and WhatsApp messages, giving me the time to consider the options and compare with others. I’ve now booked my course (which was easy, the website is good) which as it happens is also less expensive than other offers, and I’m encouraged by the other very positive reviews of this company.
Thank you Lanie, we haven’t spoken yet but I haven’t forgotten that you are on hand if I need further assistance.
...

Career Growth Path

Where This Certification Takes You

CISM takes you from doing security to leading it. See where it leads — and the certifications that take you further.

Where You Are Now

Security / IT experience

CISM Certified

£60k–£85k avg.

You are here

Information Security Manager

£65k–£90k avg.

Head of Information Security

£85k–£115k avg.

CISO

£110k–£160k avg.

CISM is the leading certification for security management roles
CISM-certified managers are among the best-paid in cyber

Recommended next certifications

→ Audit & assurance

CISA

ISACA’s IS audit certification — a strong pairing with CISM.

£55k–£80kLearn more →
 → Advanced security

CompTIA SecurityX

Advanced, hands-on security skills for senior practitioners.

£55k–£85kLearn more →
 → Security foundation

CompTIA Security+

A solid security foundation to underpin your management knowledge.

£35k–£55kLearn more →
 → SOC analysis

CompTIA CySA+

Detection and response skills that complement security leadership.

£40k–£60kLearn more →

Pricing

Simple, Transparent Pricing

One course, no hidden extras. The CISM exam itself is registered and taken through ISACA.

Right for you if…

You meet ISACA’s experience requirement (around 5 years in information security, including 3 in management) and want thorough preparation to pass the CISM exam with confidence.

Working toward it?

You can study and sit the exam now, then certify with ISACA within 5 years once your experience is verified. Your account manager can guide you through the process.

CISM — Sale Price

£395 £195 inc. VAT Save £200

Everything you need to prepare for the CISM exam. The exam itself is registered and taken through ISACA.

12 Months Course Access
Study anytime, on any device, 24/7
Built-In AI Tutor
Instant explanations, any time
Hands-On Labs & Practice Tests
Interactive materials and exercises throughout
Exam Taken Through ISACA
We guide you through registration
14-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Change your mind, get a refund
Certificate & Digital Badge
On course completion — shareable & verifiable

Finance available at checkout · 14-day money-back guarantee

Pay Monthly

From £12.4/month

CAREER SMARTER LTD is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Social Money Limited t/a Payl8r who is authorised by the FCA under Ref. Number 675283. Credit is subject to creditworthiness and affordability assessments. Missed payments may affect your credit file, future borrowing and incur fees. Representative Example: £440.00 over 12 months at 2.50% fixed per month. Rep APR 65.5%. Monthly: £47.67. Total repayable: £572.04. 0% interest rate applies only where the loan is repaid in full within 3 months.

Team & Corporate

Bulk discounts available

Training 3 or more employees? Get volume pricing, a dedicated account manager, and custom reporting.

Talk to Our Team

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before you enrol.

What is CISM and who awards it?

CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) is the world's leading certification for information security management, awarded by ISACA. It covers security governance, risk management, building and running a security programme, and incident management — proving you can lead security at an enterprise level.

How long does the course take?

Most learners complete it in around 10–14 weeks. There's no time limit: you have 12 months' access, so you can study at whatever pace suits you.

What are the requirements to become CISM-certified?

To certify with ISACA you must pass the exam and have around 5 years of information security work experience, including at least 3 years in security management across the job-practice domains. Some experience waivers apply. You can sit the exam first and certify within 5 years once your experience is verified. This course supports your preparation but doesn't replace ISACA's requirements — please check ISACA's current criteria, and your account manager can help you understand them.

Is the exam included?

No — the CISM exam is registered and taken directly through ISACA. This course is the training and exam preparation that gets you ready. Your account manager can guide you through registering with ISACA.

Is CISM worth it?

For most security professionals moving into leadership, yes. CISM is globally recognised, opens doors to senior security management roles, and CISM-certified managers are among the best-paid in cyber. It's a strong signal to employers that you can lead security to a recognised standard.

How does finance at checkout work?

At checkout you can choose flexible finance options to spread the cost. You'll gain immediate full access to all course materials as soon as your first payment is confirmed.

Start Today

Lead information
security today.

Join the UK professionals who chose Career Smarter. Flexible, affordable, and built around the world’s leading information security management certification.

£195inc. VAT

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