The best alternative to Infosec Institute depends on what you actually need. If you want a live class, pick a provider that appears on the certifying body’s own official partner list. If you want to pass for less money, a self-study plan with good practice questions is what got me through the CISSP after my Infosec boot camp didn’t.
For comparison, Infosec’s own CISSP boot camp page listed its six-day course at $4,399 on October 7, 2026. Here’s what I’d look at instead, and why.
What are the official alternatives to Infosec Institute for CISSP training?
Start with ISC2 itself. ISC2, which runs the CISSP, sells its own official training and self-study resources directly.
If you’d rather learn from a training company, ISC2 publishes a directory of authorized training partners. As of August 2026, its North American list had 3 partners covering all of North America, 8 in Canada and 25 in the United States. I’ve copied the full list into Official ISC2 Training Partners in North America. Infosec Institute is not on it.
Being on that list means ISC2 recognizes the provider. It doesn’t guarantee a good class, so still read reviews and ask the questions below before you pay.
How do I check a training provider before I pay?
Every certifying body has its own program: ISC2 for the CISSP, CCSP and SSCP, EC-Council’s Accredited Training Centers for the CEH, and CompTIA’s Authorized Partner Program for Security+ and the rest. Check the provider on the certifying body’s site, not the provider’s. My guide to verifying a training company’s claims walks through each one. Then get these in writing:
- The pass rate for your exact course, and how it’s calculated.
- Every condition on any pass guarantee. Infosec’s, for example, requires 85% attendance each day and 90% on the final practice exam. (More on that guarantee.)
- Whether the exam voucher is included, and who issues it.
- The refund terms, and how long a refund actually takes.
Can I pass the CISSP without a boot camp?
Yes. That’s how I eventually passed, and plenty of people on Reddit say a boot camp alone wasn’t enough anyway. One student who took Infosec’s CISM boot camp in 2025 put it this way: “a one week bootcamp by itself will in no way prepare you for the CISSP without prior experience and additional studying.” (u/Natural_Sherbert_391 on r/cissp)
These are the resources I actually used, with my honest take on each:
- Official ISC2 CISSP Study Guide by Mike Chapple and co-authors. My anchor. Dense and dry, but thorough.
- Quantum Exams. My favorite resource: hard, scenario-based questions that train the management mindset the exam tests. My full review.
- Boson CISSP practice exams. Well-written questions, with explanations that teach you why each wrong answer is wrong. My full review.
- Destination Certification CISSP MindMap videos. Helpful for seeing how the domains connect.
- Eleventh Hour CISSP by Eric Conrad. Slim, and ideal for a final review pass.
- LearnZapp official app. Easier questions, but good for keeping terms fresh in spare minutes.
- r/cissp on Reddit. Kept me going on the hard days, and full of honest study advice.
One I wouldn’t recommend for everyone: ITProTV gave me free access, and it still didn’t work for me. The explanations felt meandering. My full review.
I also wrote up how to use practice questions and what’s changed on the CISSP exam, including the April 2026 change to ISC2’s experience waiver list.
How do the options compare?
| Infosec Institute boot camp | ISC2 official partner | Self-study | |
|---|---|---|---|
| On ISC2’s partner list | No (as of August 2026) | Yes, by definition | Not applicable |
| Live instructor | Yes | Usually | No |
| Listed CISSP price | $4,399 (Infosec’s page, October 2026) | Varies; ask | Books and practice question subscriptions |
| Main risk | Complaints about outdated material and guarantee conditions | Quality still varies by provider | Needs discipline and a plan |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Infosec Institute?
For a live class, choose a provider on ISC2’s official training partner list, or ISC2’s own official training. For the lowest cost, self-study with the Official ISC2 Study Guide and strong practice questions such as Quantum Exams or Boson.
Is Infosec Institute an official ISC2 training partner?
Infosec Institute did not appear on ISC2’s North American training partner list as checked in August 2026. Confirm on ISC2’s website before buying.
Does ISC2 offer its own CISSP training?
Yes. ISC2 sells official CISSP training and self-study resources directly on isc2.org.
Do I need a boot camp to pass the CISSP?
No. Many candidates pass through self-study, and students on Reddit regularly say a one-week boot camp alone isn’t enough without additional studying.
Sources
- ISC2, Cybersecurity Training & Exam Prep: isc2.org
- ISC2, Self-Study Resources: isc2.org
- ISC2 official training partner directory, North America, as of August 2026: my copy of the list
- Infosec Institute, CISSP boot camp page, as retrieved October 7, 2026: infosecinstitute.com
Part of my full Infosec Institute review roundup: every complaint, the pass-rate claims, and better ways to prepare for the CISSP, all in one place.
