CRISC vs CISM: Which One Should You Get?

Cybersecurity is all about solving problems, but you can’t take on all of them. Eventually, you’ll need to decide which specific challenges you want to tackle, and that choice begins with earning the right professional credential.

With the Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control® (CRISC) certification, you’ll identify and control risks firsthand as a trusted specialist. On the other hand, the Certified Information Security Manager® (CISM) equips you to lead organizations through high-stakes security decisions.

The certification you pursue will dictate the trajectory of your cybersecurity career, so make sure to select the one that fits your goals best. To help you chart the right path, let’s break down CRISC vs. CISM and explore how these two credentials differ.

What Is CRISC?

CRISC is a globally recognized certification for IT professionals who want to understand and manage risk in the context of today’s technology landscape.
 
Offered by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), CRISC focuses on four practical areas: identifying risks, assessing them, planning the appropriate responses and how to implement them, and monitoring controls.

Earning this certification shows that you’re ready to address modern challenges, such as cybersecurity threats, enterprise resilience, and data governance for artificial intelligence. CRISC also consistently ranks among the top-paying certifications worldwide, making it a guaranteed career booster.

 What Is CISM?

Also offered by ISACA, CISM zeroes in on cybersecurity leadership and is valuable for IT professionals seeking roles that require them to oversee enterprise security programs.
 
This credential serves as proof of your expertise across four domains: governing security systems, managing security risks, implementing security programs, and responding effectively to data breaches or other critical incidents.
 
With its forward-looking approach, CISM prepares you to handle emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain. Beyond technical mastery, it also ensures that you can align security strategies with your company’s goals — a skill that can easily boost your impact and growth potential in such a high-demand field.

Which Certification Aligns with Your Career Goals?

CRISC and CISM lead to two very different career paths. The former points toward becoming a specialist in IT risk management. If you enjoy going deep into analytics, you just might find it a stronger fit.
 
Risk analysts, IT auditors, or compliance managers may find great value in CRISC, especially if the goal is to sharpen technical and governance expertise. The certification is also accessible even for those at the early stages of their career, since it requires only a few years of experience.

CISM moves you into broader security leadership. Designed to equip individuals who aspire to oversee entire security programs, it’s ideal for becoming security managers, directors, or even chief information security officers. If your goal is to influence business strategy as much as security outcomes, then this certification is the better match.

Should You Get CRISC Before CISM?

If you’re wondering whether it’s possible to earn both certifications, the answer is yes — but the order in which you pursue them matters. Most professionals find it more sensible to start with CRISC, because its coverage of risk management naturally feeds into the governance and leadership focus of CISM.

CRISC demands one to three years of domain-specific experience, a threshold that many early- to mid-career professionals already meet. It hones your technical and analytical skills, helping you approach risk with structure and consistency.

Meanwhile, five or more years of management-level experience is required to qualify for CISM. While you don’t necessarily need a domain-specific background for this credential, earning CRISC first can give you a strong foundation for CISM’s challenges and strengthen your credibility when applying for advanced leadership roles in cybersecurity.

CRISC vs. CISM Pros and Cons

CRISC stands out as the only certification dedicated exclusively to enterprise IT risk management. It’s especially valued in fields where managing risk and following regulations are highly prioritized. This credential is also more accessible since you only need about three years of related work experience to qualify.
 
However, it is known for having a technically demanding exam, with little flexibility for substitutions. The certification itself also carries less recognition at the executive leadership level compared to CISM.

Meanwhile, CISM enjoys global respect, particularly among management and executive positions. It’s often a requirement for roles such as security director or CISO, and its scarcity among professionals can translate into higher salary potential.
 
On the downside, CISM requires a steeper requirement of five years of management-level experience. The exam also expects you to think like a strategist rather than a technician, challenging many candidates who started their careers as the latter. Given its broad focus, it doesn’t dive as deeply into the technical aspects of risk management like CRISC does.

CRISC vs. CISM Exam Difficulty and Covered Domains

Exams developed for ISACA certifications are typically rigorous, but they’re structured to reflect real-world responsibilities. Both comprise 150 multiple-choice questions and test not only the theoretical knowledge, but also how well you can apply concepts to practical scenarios.
 
Below are the domains they respectively cover:

CRISC Domains

• Governance (26%)
• IT Risk Assessment (22%)
• Risk Response and Reporting (32%)
• Information Technology & Security (20%)

CISM Domains

• Information Security Governance (17%)
• Information Security Risk Management (20%)
• Information Security Program (33%)
• Incident Management (30%)

The CRISC exam is often seen as more technically demanding. It requires a solid understanding of how to respond to risks, as well as how to distinguish between threats, vulnerabilities, and controls. Mastering key frameworks and applying them to real-world scenarios can help you succeed, but consistent study and practice exams can make the process manageable.

As for the CISM exam, the coverage isn’t as heavy in technical information, but it challenges candidates to think like executives. You must connect cybersecurity practices with overall business goals and decision-making. Study guides, bootcamps, and scenario-based practice may help you channel the mindset of a strategic leader more effectively.

Both exams require the same passing score of 450 on a scale of 200 to 800.

Salary and Job Opportunities for CRISC vs. CISM

Although CRISC and CISM somewhat overlap, the kinds of jobs they lead to are quite dissimilar.

CRISC

CRISC shines best in industries like finance, healthcare, energy, and government, where risk oversight and compliance drive decision-making. Some mid-career roles you can land with this credential often involve acting as a bridge between technical teams and senior leadership:

• Risk analyst
• IT auditor
• Security analyst
• Compliance staff
• IT control staff
• IT audit consultant

Over time, CRISC can launch you into managerial or directorial positions. Salaries usually range from $77,000 to $145,000, but leadership roles in regulated industries can climb closer to $180,000 to $190,000. More importantly, the steady demand for risk experts makes CRISC a reliable career investment.

CISM

CISM, on the other hand, is a direct ticket to security leadership, allowing you to secure roles such as:

• Security operations manager
• Director of information security
• Chief information security officer
• Cybersecurity program manager
• Head of cybersecurity or security governance
• Governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) manager

Compensation for these job titles reflects the jump in responsibility that comes with CISM, as they often start around $120,000 and scale well past $200,000 for seasoned leaders. Many organizations now list CISM as a requirement for executive-level security positions, giving you not only a higher salary ceiling but also a stronger influence at the leadership table.

Cost and Recertification

High salaries may be compelling, but it’s also important to factor in the long-term costs of earning and maintaining these certifications. As outlined below, fees associated with both CRISC and CISM are essentially the same:

Initial Costs

• Examination fee: $760 (or $575 for ISACA members)
• Application fee: $50 (to be settled once you pass)
• Annual maintenance fee: $85 (or $45 for ISACA members)

Study Materials and Training Courses

ISACA offers official materials to prepare for the exam. A crowd favorite is the Question, Answer, and Explanation (QAE) database, which offers answers formatted similarly to the exams. Textbooks can also be purchased on the ISACA website, with review manuals for both CRISC and CISM costing $139 each for non-members (or $109 each for members).

Most candidates supplement these materials with third-party resources, practice exams, or training courses. Rates for these often vary depending on the format.

Continuing Professional Education Costs

Maintaining an ISACA credential typically requires completing 20 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) each year, with a grand total of 120 hours throughout a three-year cycle. ISACA offers free webinars and discounted training for its members, and these all qualify as valid CPE hours.

Outside of these, however, expect to shoulder extra costs for other CPE activities you’ll need to meet the requirements. These include registration fees for conferences (through which you can collect up to 32 hours per year), paid webinars (up to 36 hours per year), and on-demand courses.

Where these two differ in terms of costs is how many CISM holders invest additional time and money into leadership-oriented training. This can largely increase the total cost of maintaining and maximizing the credential.

How CRISC and CISM Shape Your Cybersecurity Career

Costs are worth considering, but the real value between CRISC vs. CISM lies in how they can shape the rest of your career. Both certifications essentially act as career accelerators, but in slightly different ways.

CRISC is best suited for professionals who want to specialize in IT risk management and control. Although it may not guarantee a six-figure salary on its own, it can single-handedly boost your credibility as a technical specialist, especially in industries with a high demand for governance, compliance, and risk oversight.

On the contrary, CISM prepares you for leadership at the strategic level. CISM holders frequently advance into senior positions, where they enjoy stronger influence within their organizations. Beyond the pay increase, CISM is a globally trusted marker that you can guide, not just implement, enterprise security programs.

Making the Right Choice: Where to Start Based on Your Career Stage

Choosing between CRISC vs. CISM should not just be about salary or prestige. Each of them fits certain stages of professional growth, so select the certification that makes the most sense given where you are in your career and what you’d like to achieve next.

For Risk Management Specialists (3 to 5 Years Experience)

If you’re working in technical or audit-focused roles and still building your experience in IT risk, CRISC is the logical choice, as it imparts practical skills in identifying, assessing, and mitigating enterprise risks. Since it requires only three years of work experience, you can earn the credential earlier in your career, setting you up for mid-level roles and even leadership roles in the future. 

For Security Management Leaders (5+ Years Experience)

Already have proven experience in security management? CISM is designed to help you move from a technical or operational role into a more strategic one. Earning this credential shows employers that you have the right communication and management skills, complemented by robust technical understanding, to lead teams during high-stakes, enterprise-wide incidents, all while aligning security programs with a company’s objectives.

For GRC and Compliance Professionals

A career in GRC can benefit from CRISC, as it showcases your ability to apply structured risk management frameworks and integrate them into business operations. Meanwhile, CISM is useful for strengthening your credentials if you’re aiming for senior roles involving policymaking, security governance, or executive oversight.
 
Holding both certifications can give you a strong competitive edge in industries with strict regulatory demands, since they value technical prowess and leadership insight equally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still not sure which certification is the right fit? Let’s address some of the most common questions IT professionals ask when weighing CRISC vs. CISM.

Conclusion

CRISC vs. CISM represent two distinct but complementary paths in cybersecurity. The first builds deep expertise in identifying and managing risk, while the other demonstrates readiness for leadership and strategic decision-making. Choosing the certification that fits your planned career trajectory can help you stand out in a competitive job market and accelerate your professional growth.

If you’re determined to take the next step into security leadership, Destination Certification’s CISM BootCamp offers the most direct path to success. Our intensive, four-day immersion is designed to fast-track your mastery of security program management, strategic leadership, risk, and incident management — all under the guidance of seasoned industry practitioners.

With live online sessions, interactive Q&A, and full-year access to all course materials and recordings, you’ll have everything you need to fully prepare for the CISM exam and advance into senior security management roles with the confidence you need to thrive.
If you prefer to learn at your own pace, we also offer a self-paced course that gives you the flexibility to study when and how it suits you.

Now’s the time to invest in your growth. Let Destination Certification shape you into the cybersecurity leader your organization can rely on.