ISC2 CSSLP job titles and career outlook

Due to the rapid shift to mobile and virtual environments and a growing dependence on web applications, organizations worldwide are searching for professionals who have the competencies to ensure security via the software development lifecycle (SDLC). This has led to a rise in jobs where employers are looking for the CSSLP to help them validate a candidate’s knowledge of secure coding best practices.

As such, attaining the CSSLP certification can help you land a respectable role in the fast-expanding job market. Below, we take you through the career prospects of CSSLPs, the common job positions they hold and give some tips to help you stand out in your job interview.

CSSLP job outlook

It’s common for employers to ask for certifications. It helps them identify professionals who have validated knowledge and expertise in a particular area or process. That explains why ISC2 certification holders often stand out from their non-certified peers regarding career advancement and increased salary. 

According to the ISC2, or International Information System Security Certification Consortium, the certifier and originator, the CSSLP certification is valuable to security professionals responsible for implementing best practices in each phase of the software development lifecycle, including:

• Security managers 
• Software program managers
• Software engineers
• Application security specialists 
• Software developers
• Software procurement analysts
• Penetration testers
• Quality assurance testers
• Project managers
• IT directors/managers

But before opting for the certification, it’s crucial to know the CSSLP career outlook. What’s the job market like for professionals holding a CSSLP certification? What sort of positions should you expect to get? Once officially certified, how should you create an effective review? What are some interview tips to make a great impression on employers?

Common job positions for CSSLP holders

When it comes to CSSLP jobs, it’s important to understand that position names can vary across industries. In other words, employers often use a multitude of names used to market such jobs. Below, we share a list of the most common job positions where a CSSLP certificate may be deemed as an essential credential.

Common job positions for CSSLP holders include:  

• Application security engineer
• Senior IT security specialist 
• Application development manager
• Web application developer 
• Cybersecurity engineer
• IT security analyst 
• Managing information security consultant 
• Application penetration tester
• Software quality assurance analyst 
• Systems engineer 

As you can see from this non-exhaustive list, job titles are similar to those highlighted for other ISC2 certifications, but they also vary. This means you’ll need to keep an open mind as you search for CSSLP jobs, as employers may use a broad range of terms for advertising the positions.

Current job market for CSSLP holders

As more and more companies develop web applications, there are significant job openings for CSSLP holders. Employers especially prefer CSSLPs who are well-rounded in all aspects of software development and boast developer/engineer-type skills as a programmer or coder. Having these competencies means you can apply to any position involving application security development.

The demand for CSSLPs is growing and is likely to continue to do so. In terms of earnings, PayScale reveals that the standard annual salary for a CSSLP is about $108,000 per year. A security architect that has a role in designing and creating secure IT infrastructure can earn around $147,000 per year. Salaries, however, vary based on experience, location and job title.

Here’s a table indicating the ballpark salaries CSSLPs across different regions:

As you can see, CSSLPs in North America earn more than their counterparts in other regions. It’s likely because the IT sector in North America is well-established and has generated high salaries historically.

How to stand out in your resume and interview

The first key to getting a high-paying CSSLP job is to create a compelling resume. Start by putting your experience under your name and contact information, followed by your educational qualifications. As CSSLP certification requires clearing an exam and ongoing training, a mention is critical in this part. You can follow this resume example from LiveCareer for inspiration (although it’s for a senior application security engineer, you can adapt it for many other CSSLP jobs).  

If a prospective employer likes your resume, they’ll call you for an interview. How do you ace one? You’ll need to answer several technical questions, covering the major topics and subtopics from the domains of CSSLP and how you’d apply the knowledge in the practical world.

One tip to stand out in an interview is to dig into why they’re looking to hire you. Did the company recently land a new client with specific needs? Are they looking to address a skills gap, or has one of their applications been breached? Tailor your interview based on those requirements.

Moreover, applicants should ensure they’re a good fit for the industry advertising the position. If you’re applying to a government agency, are you familiar with FISMA? If you’re applying to a healthcare organization, do you have a good grasp of HIPAA? Ensure you’re aware of any cybersecurity standards that apply to the employer’s industry.  

Value of a CSSLP certification

With the rise in application vulnerabilities, firms in various industries require the skills and expertise only a CSSLP holder can provide. This, along with the growing demand for information security experts, indicates that it’s a great time to become CSSLP certified. 

Because it's vendor-neutral and covers the skills and knowledge that’d be valuable to various positions and sectors worldwide, the CSSLP can be a lucrative credential for your career. 

Sources

1. CSSLP, ISC2
2. CSSLP Salary, PayScale
3. CSSLP Salary, ISC2
4. Senior Application Security Engineer Resume Sample, Live Career