My name is Terry, and I’ve always been passionate about cybersecurity. As a young professional eager to build a solid foundation in the industry, I decided to pursue the CISSP certification—the gold standard for information security professionals. I knew this certification would open doors to better job opportunities and help me advance my career.
“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.”
— Mark Twain
After some research, I came across a boot camp offered by Infosec Institute. They advertised themselves as an “official ISC2 training partner,” with promises of a comprehensive course that would thoroughly prepare us for the CISSP exam. The icing on the cake? An exam voucher included in the package, and ONSITE testing on the last day. It all sounded perfect, so I took the plunge, paid the high fees, and eagerly enrolled in their CISSP boot camp.
But from the moment I arrived, things started to feel off.
A Rough Start
On the first day of the boot camp, I immediately noticed something strange: the training materials they provided seemed dated. At first, I thought maybe this was just an introduction and that more relevant content would come later in the week. But as the days went on, it became clear that the entire course content was not aligned with the latest CISSP exam objectives. I started feeling uneasy, but I tried to stay focused, thinking perhaps I was missing something.
When I asked the instructor why the material seemed outdated, the response was vague. He said something like, “The fundamentals don’t change,” which wasn’t exactly reassuring. I expected more from a supposedly “official” training partner. When I asked about the courseware provided was the same book I had purchased from Amazon, I was told “It is all the same”. The more I listened and learned, the more I realized that this course wasn’t what I’d been led to believe.
The Deception Unfolds
The turning point came midweek when I received an email from ISC2 listing their officially endorsed training partners. To my shock and horror, Infosec Institute wasn’t on the list. My heart sank. I felt betrayed. Here I was, investing time, money, and energy into a boot camp that wasn’t even officially recognized by ISC2.
I confronted the Infosec Institute representative about this, and the response was evasive. They wouldn’t give me a straight answer, which only confirmed my suspicions that something was wrong. But the worst was yet to come.
No Exam Voucher, No Support
One of the main reasons I had chosen Infosec Institute was the promise of an exam voucher included in the package. This was a big deal for me because the cost of the CISSP exam isn’t cheap. After completing the boot camp, I waited for the voucher. Days passed, then weeks, and nothing came. I reached out multiple times via email and phone, only to be told, after much back and forth, that there had been “a mistake” and they couldn’t provide the voucher after all.
I was furious. Not only had I wasted my time on a course that wasn’t what it claimed to be, but now I was also out the cost of the exam on top of the already steep boot camp fees. It felt like a slap in the face.
I decided to reach out to other participants, and I quickly learned I wasn’t alone. Many of them had faced similar issues—misleading marketing, outdated materials, and no exam voucher as promised. We were all in the same boat, feeling frustrated, deceived, and let down.
Learning the Hard Way
This experience taught me a hard lesson: always do your due diligence when choosing a training provider. The lack of official recognition, outdated materials, and the unfulfilled promise of an exam voucher left me feeling disillusioned and angry.
But I didn’t let this experience deter me. Instead, I took it as a learning opportunity. After more research, I found a reputable company for my CISSP certification preparation. This time, I made sure the training was approved by ISC2, and that the exam voucher was indeed included as promised. After speaking with ISC2 about the problems, they provided me an exam voucher at NO COST!!!
A Warning to Others
I’m sharing my story because I don’t want others to go through what I did. If you’re considering a CISSP boot camp, please make sure you’re choosing a provider that is officially endorsed by ISC2. Don’t just take their word for it—verify their claims.
Remember, your time, money, and effort are valuable. Don’t let misleading marketing and false promises derail your journey to becoming CISSP certified like it did mine. Be careful, do your homework, and invest in your future wisely.