DestCert vs. SANS

The Easiest
Way to Get Your CISSP Certification


CISSP training that focuses on what you need to learn —
at a pace that works for you

Prepare to confidently pass
the CISSP exam

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Why choose the DestCert MasterClass over SANS


A CISSP MasterClass that adapts to your learning journey. Discover how DestCert's innovative approach to exam preparation outshines SANS Institute's CISSP course, making it the premier choice for aspiring cybersecurity professionals.

Key Features Comparison

Note: SANS Institute provides CISSP training in three formats: OnDemand (self-paced), Live Online (virtual instructor-led), and In-Person classes (primarily in the US). Each format follows the same curriculum but offers different levels of flexibility and interaction. Students should consider their schedule, learning preferences, and location when choosing an option. The In-Person classes typically last six days, which may require careful planning for those with busy schedules.

Feature

DestCert

Global Knowledge

Course Structure

PAID

PAID

ALL of the study materials you need

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Personalized Study Schedule

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Depends on the course

Weekly Live Q&A Calls

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1-on-1 Mentoring Sessions*

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Flashcard App

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Practice Question App

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MindMap Review Videos

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Proven Exam Strategies

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Active Community Support
(Discord, Reddit)

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Printed Guidebook and Workbook*

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Integrated Learning System

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Comprehensive Exam Preparation

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Personalized Review Guide

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Certified and Experienced Instructors

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Video Lectures

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Downloadable Resources

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Lifetime Access

Available in Premier Plan

Value for Money

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Flexible, Self-Paced Learning

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Option available

Variety of Teaching Styles

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 *Included with Preferred & Premier MasterClasses (DestCert)

Transform your CISSP prep.

Plans and Pricing Comparison

Plan

Price

Content

Access

SANS Institute (On-demand, live online, and in-person)

$8,525 (excl. VAT)

Printed and electronic course books, 320 practice questions, MP3 audio files, and a digital index to all materials offered

Depends on the course

DestCert Essential
CISSP MasterClass

$1,497

Everything you need to confidently pass the exam:
In-depth study material, full access to the learning system, MasterClass videos, PDF workbook, CISSP Guidebook, personalized schedule, weekly group mentoring, flashcard app, practice question app, MindMap videos, exam strategies, and practice exam

1 year

DestCert Preferred
CISSP MasterClass

$1,997

Everything in Essential, plus 2 x one-hour 1-on-1 mentoring sessions, printed CISSP workbook and guidebook, unlimited email support

3 years

DestCert Premier
CISSP MasterClass

$4,997

Everything in Preferred, plus unlimited personal 1-on-1 mentoring, and an iPad

Lifetime

*amount converted to USD, approximate estimate

Success Rates and Outcomes

Destination Certification

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Exceptional First-Time

Pass Rate

Our CISSP MasterClass boasts an impressive 93.6% first-time pass rate, showcasing the effectiveness of our comprehensive preparation approach.

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Rapid Certification

Achievement

Many of our dedicated students successfully pass the CISSP exam in as little as 14 to 30 days, fast-tracking their cybersecurity career advancement.

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Diverse Learner 

Success

Our adaptive learning system ensures that students from various backgrounds—whether highly technical or new to cybersecurity—can excel, optimizing study time and boosting confidence.

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Real-World

Application

Graduates consistently report immediate improvements in their professional capabilities, applying course knowledge directly to workplace scenarios.

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These are just a few success stories

Jeff Araujo

Exam pass date: April 8, 2024

I am more than happy to share my success due greatly to Destination Certification's Rob, John and Lou! I will be passing on to anyone in the future about this course prior to the CISSP test.

Jeffrey Rodriguez

Exam pass date: April 8, 2024

I read the official study guide, the all-in-one guide, and watched videos from every source I could find. None of those sources were as clear and concise as the Destination Certification videos and book. I wish I would have found them sooner and saved myself a lot of time.

Daniel Perschonok

Exam pass date: April 6, 2024

From the minute I watched the first Master Class video, I knew I had made the right decision on choosing Destination Certification. The content is very engaging and the entire program makes it easy to set a schedule and stick to it. I wanted something that would fit my lifestyle and allow me to go at my own pace. Destination Certification did exactly that. Going into the exam, I felt very confident about the knowledge gained from the course and my ability to know what the answer has to be. I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone interested in understanding the fundamentals of security and passing the CISSP exam. Trust the process and think like a CEO.

Tyler Phelps

Exam pass date: April 5, 2024

Destination Certification is the one stop shop to pass the CISSP. I did not need any other resources outside of all of the video courses, flash cards, mind maps, the book, mind maps and the study guide. I am a TERRIBLE test taker and I was able to pass on my first attempt at 130 questions after 3.5 months of consistent studying.

Rick Sege

Exam pass date: April 3, 2024

Destination Certification was a huge time saver in studying for the CISSP. They get rid of the fluff found in most other courses and books. The instruction is engaging and informative. It's obvious that Rob, John and Lou are all passionate about helping students learn and understand this material. John's testing strategy and examples are gold! Thank you Destination Cert team for a great course.

Jimmy Berry

Exam pass date: Mar 30, 2024

Destination Certification was instrumental in helping me pass the CISSP exam by organizing and managing the information in a manner that made complex concepts easy to comprehend. Rob and John's approach to how the materials not only laid a great foundation to fully comprehend the topics covered on the exam, but made me a more competent security professional.

Stephane Lorandel

Exam pass date: Mar 25, 2024

As I embarked on the daunting journey of preparing for the CISSP certification, the vast sea of information seemed overwhelming. Then, I discovered Destination Certification—an oasis of clarity in the desert of complexity. Their meticulously crafted learning path streamlined the essentials, imparting not just fragmented domain knowledge but a holistic understanding of security principles. The comprehensive approach of Destination Certification was a game-changer, enabling me to grasp complex concepts effortlessly. Thanks to their methodical guidance, I not only passed the exam on my first attempt but also gained a profound insight into the realm of security. I am immensely grateful for the exceptional teaching provided by Destination Certification. Their dedication to excellence deserves recognition, and I sincerely thank them for empowering me on my certification journey. If only every certification had a course of such caliber!

Alexander Stevens

Exam pass date: Mar 20, 2024

John, Rob, Lou and the extended team give you the best chance of passing the CISSP with their tailored concepts to hone in on that gives you clarity on what is important to know for the exam. The course does enforce a more managerial approach throughout which makes it the only needed source of reference in the objective. The team culture is very down to earth and personable which did stand out to me from start to finish with the right intensions for your benefit. I am very grateful to have taken a chance with hard working and passionate people.

Phillip Sanders

Exam pass date: Mar 12, 2024

Destination Certification is an absolute game-changer! As someone who recently embarked on the journey to become a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), I can't stress enough how invaluable this platform has been in my success. Thanks to Destination Certification, I was not only able to pass the CISSP exam but also gained a deeper understanding of information security concepts that will serve me well in my career. I wholeheartedly recommend this platform to anyone embarking on their certification journey – it's the ultimate destination for success!

Jonathan Acheampong

Exam pass date: Mar 9, 2024

MasterClass is one of the best CISSP exam prep out there. The online videos and contents are very informative. Great one on one sessions with Lou. The live sessions are the best. Rob and Jon are available to answer any questions. "Read the exam question 3 times before you look at the answer!

Ian Squire

Exam pass date: Mar 4, 2024

I had been studying a long time to take the exam. I stumbled upon the CISSP MindMaps and took the Cryptography Mini MasterClass. I signed up shortly after that and the rest is history. This course helped me organize and pass the exam in a way my many other study resources couldn’t do. I have already started recommending Destination Certification to colleagues.

Sean Mooney

Exam pass date: March 2, 2024

Destination Certification, (Lou, Rob, and John) have expertly condensed the complexities of Cybersecurity into digestible, essential knowledge. This course has polished my two decades of experience, increasing my value to clients and stakeholders. Just follow their lead, trust their process and you can’t go wrong. I highly recommend their course.

Jesse DeGarmo

Exam pass date: February 28, 2024

I actually started thinking about the CISSP in about 2004, with books to prove it. However, I finally arrived at the point in my career where I could see this was long overdue, and Destination Certification made an extremely well-crafted product, that prepared me for the CISSP examine in the best possible way. Even after – it is still enjoyable to revisit the material.

Santosh Murugkar

Exam pass date: February 28, 2024

Huge thanks to Destination Cert Team! Rob & John's made concepts clear, wonderful study materials, memory maps and Mr. Lou's mentorship boosted my confidence. I passed the exam!

James Dooley

Exam pass date: February 27, 2024

The course material was very designed - it was concise, thorough, and organized logically in an easy-to-understand flow. The mentorship with Lou was great and he was a fantastic resource to bounce ideas off of.

Sarath Haridas

Exam pass date: February 23, 2024

The training materials were really a great refresher for the learnings that I have gained through my career. The support and guidance from Lou is truly inspiring. Thanks a lot for all the support.

Lowell Fafard

Exam pass date: February 8, 2024

Rob and John present the material in an easy to follow, understand and (the most important part) engaging manner. The mind maps and the knowledge assessments were key to shoring up areas that needed work. The class was invaluable for expanding my knowledge and passing the exam. Will definitely be taking classes from them in the future.

Justin Arias

Exam pass date: January 31, 2024

With two weeks until the exam, I needed a clear and concise course direction to study for the CISSP. Destination Certification provided an excellent course which concisely discussed the main points and tie the domains together. The overall platform provides great resources for each person to learn and retain the information in their way, whether that is video, text, or knowledge checks. I was able to pass my exam right at question 125 and I know Destination Certification had a huge impact on the overall result.

Ziaul Karim

Exam pass date: January 31, 2024

Not only is everything about Destination Certification visually appealing, the content is truly fantastic. Everything is laid out in a logical manner with videos, book, assessments, all presented in an easy-to-understand format. Rob and John really bring this material to life, and the correct attitude and mindset is presented throughout, so by the end of your learning it is second nature (which is crucial for the exam). I encourage you to conquer the CISSP mountain as I did, with Destination CISSP as your path and guide.

Himanshu Dua

Exam pass date: January 25, 2024

When I initially enrolled, I was apprehensive about whether investing a substantial amount of money would be worthwhile. However, I can assure you that Rob and John are just genius. They not only helped me pass the exam but also transformed me into an excellent security engineer. Their teaching has become invaluable in my professional career, making the CISSP journey significantly easier for me. Thank you. I'm really happy that I found you.

Panagiotis Panos Georgakopoulos

Exam pass date: January 12, 2024

Destination Certification serves as the ultimate resource for successfully passing the exam, equipping individuals not only with the knowledge to excel in the test but also fostering a comprehensive understanding of the material. This holistic approach contributes to the development of individuals into well-rounded and proficient security professionals.

James Kimble

Exam pass date: December 24, 2023

Destination Certification helped focus my learning by breaking down tough concepts into bite sized chunks. I used this as a primary resource and could not be happier with the results.

Samantha Mims

Exam pass date: December 2, 2023

After seeing so much praise about the Destination Certification Masterclass, I decided to give it a try, and I’m so glad I did! The resources provided in the class were so much easier to digest than sitting down and reading through hundreds of pages of text in other study guides.

A big thank you to the team for putting it all together and hosting the live study sessions!

SANS Institute

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Limited Outcome

Data

While SANS Institute is recognized for cybersecurity training, specific pass rate data for their CISSP course is not publicly available, making it challenging to compare success rates directly.

User Experience & Support

Destination Certification

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Comprehensive All-in-One Package

Our CISSP MasterClass provides everything you need for exam success. No need to juggle multiple resources or spend extra on supplementary materials—it's all here, perfectly aligned and ready for your journey.

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Adaptive Learning Ecosystem

More than just a course, our platform is your personal CISSP command center. It evolves with your progress, guiding you through over 170 targeted video lessons and tailored written content, ensuring your study path is as efficient as it is thorough.

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Flexibility Meets Structure

Your CISSP prep adapts to your life, not vice versa. Whether you're an early bird or a night owl, our system helps you craft a study schedule that harmonizes with your unique rhythm while keeping you on track for success.

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Multi-Channel Support System

Navigate your CISSP journey with confidence, knowing assistance is always at hand. Leverage our responsive email support, engage in bi-weekly live Q&A sessions for real-time problem-solving, or tap into our active Discord and Reddit communities for diverse perspectives and peer support.

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Personalized Mentoring

For users of our Preferred and Premier plans, we offer valuable 1-on-1 mentoring sessions. These personalized meetings with CISSP experts provide tailored guidance, helping you navigate challenging concepts and develop effective study strategies aligned with your individual needs.

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Interactive Learning Arsenal

Transform your study sessions into an engaging adventure. Flip through our dynamic flashcard app, test your knowledge with our practice question engine, or visualize complex concepts with our exclusive MindMap videos. It's not just learning—it's an immersive CISSP experience.

SANS Institute

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Different Learning Format

SANS offers their CISSP training in three distinct modes: OnDemand for self-paced study, Live Online for real-time virtual instruction, and In-Person for traditional classroom experiences. This variety allows students to choose a learning method that best fits their schedule and preferred style of engagement.

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Comprehensive Course Materials

Students receive both printed and electronic course books covering all eight CISSP domains, along with MP3 audio files of complete course lectures. This multi-format approach caters to different learning preferences and allows for flexible review options.

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Limited Personalization

Unlike some adaptive learning platforms, SANS's CISSP course follows a standardized curriculum for all students. While this ensures consistency, it may not cater as directly to individual learning needs or knowledge gaps

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the courses require prerequisites?

Both Destination Certification and SANS Institute recommend that students have at least five years of work experience in two or more of the eight CISSP CBK domains to ensure they are adequately prepared for the advanced concepts covered in the CISSP training and to meet the requirements for the CISSP exam. However, neither course strictly enforces these prerequisites, allowing motivated individuals from various backgrounds to enroll.

Are the courses aligned with the current CISSP changes?

Yes, both Destination Certification and SANS Institute keep their course content updated to align with the latest CISSP exam changes, ensuring that students receive the most current and relevant information for effective exam preparation. DestCert's adaptive learning platform allows for rapid updates, while SANS regularly revises its course materials to reflect the most recent exam objectives.

What additional resources or benefits do these courses offer?

Both courses offer a variety of additional resources and benefits. Destination Certification includes tools like a flashcard app, practice question app, MindMap videos, a printed guidebook and workbook (for higher-tier plans), weekly group mentoring, personalized schedules, and access to an active community. SANS Institute provides MP3 audio files of lectures, printed and electronic course books, and practice questions for each domain.

DestCert vs. SANS Institute: Which Course Is for You?

Choosing the right CISSP training course depends on various factors, including your budget, learning style, schedule flexibility, and specific career goals. Both Destination Certification and SANS Institute offer high-quality CISSP preparation, but they cater to different needs and preferences.

If you prefer a variety of course formats and the option to pursue additional certifications, SANS Institute might be the better fit. They offer in-person, live online, and self-paced options, allowing you to choose the learning environment that suits you best.

However, if you're looking for a comprehensive, all-in-one solution that provides everything you need to pass the CISSP exam and enhance your cybersecurity skills, Destination Certification's CISSP MasterClass is the ideal choice.

We provide all the study materials you'll need, so there's no scrambling for extra resources. With interactive tools, flexible scheduling, and personalized support (including one-on-one mentoring in our higher-tier plans), DestCert equips you fully for the CISSP exam and beyond.

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