Official (ISC)2 Guide to the CISSP Exam (Hardcover)

I would strongly suggest the Shon Harris book for future CISSP

I finally took the CISSP exam, and passed *not* using this book alone. I ordered this book 1 month before the CISSP exam, because someone recommended me to buy it and also said that it's an advantage to have it prior the exam. While this generally true, some are not.

The book was written by 3 authors, and reviewed by Hal Tipton (a very well respected and knowledgeable security professional) therefore the contents in the book is superior. And it was written by 3 authors, it also means you will experience 3 different writing styles throughout the book. The format of the whole book is consistent but tough luck, the writing style is so inconsistent.

I found some chapters are easy to digest with, and some are not (because of the 3 authors thing). The book doesn't present the CBK material in a good way for your to memorize, it acts more like a reference book. I have read All-in-One and Prep Guide Gold Edition, and those 2 books are GREAT to start with. I do like the Official (ISC)2 Guide because it covers material that the other books DON'T. Especially the Physcial Security and Operations Security domain. After reading the Physical Security domain I had a feeling like "I know how to pick a lock now ;)". This book also tells you what you need for the CISSP exam and what you don't, which is really good. It clearly states that "this information is not needed for the CISSP exam... it's being included here for your reference" and I find that's very helpful, saving me from memorizing superfluous information.

The Physcial Security domain also covers the CCTV camera, very nice materials indeed. You should expect to see some CCTV questions on the exam. If you don't really want to buy the book, you can easily search for the material on the net. But yeah the material is worth it.

The book also comes with a CD that has 204 questions in it, but beware that those questions ain't something that you might be able to see on the exam. I haven't found any practice tests useful, if at all (not even cccure.org). Don't buy practice tests, just concentrate on the CBK then you'll be fine. Don't expect similar questions or anything like that from the practice tests.

All in all, the materials in the book are great for reference but not memorizing. If you really want something to start with, please start with All-in-one, I wouldn't go for Krutz book because he has tons of SUPERFLUOUS information (you do Krutz). So, before, the CISSP's choice was All-in-One + Prep Guide, but now it should be All-in-One + Official (ISC)2 Guide. You guys should never start preparing for the CISSP exam without All-in-One, the CBK materials are presented to you in a very CONCISE and UNDERSTANDABLE manner althought Shon Harris does love chatting, but it's a great book to start with, and Official (ISC)2 Guide is a great "reference" book to keep.

Sorry, I'm too tired to go back to review what I have typed earlier so I end here ;). I don't give this book 5 stars because of the inconsistency in writing otherwise this book is great. You guys should buy it.