u/dummmyacccount

Quick update. Original post is here.

When I dropped the CISSP field manual a couple days ago I was hoping it might help a handful of people. Just crossed 15,000 downloads. Genuinely didn't expect that. Thank you.

Wanted to specifically call out the constructive feedback that came in through comments, DMs, and emails. A few things people flagged that I'm actively working into the next revision:

• Small formatting fixes (page 5 highlight, a couple typos)
• EPUB version, several requests for this, coming soon
• Requests for a CISM version I haven't sat CISM myself so I can't write that one honestly.
• More on the manager-mindset walkthrough with worked example questions expanding this section in the next update

The whole point of hosting it as a live PDF is that it improves as feedback comes in, so keep it coming. "You got this wrong on page X" is exactly what I want to hear.

For anyone just seeing this and studying for the exam right now the download is still free, no email required, no paywall. Same link as the original post.

Good luck to everyone with a test date on the calendar. This is a beatable exam. Manager mindset first, technical facts second. You've got this. 🫡

was 25-series, now defense contractor doing basically the same job for 3x the pay. quick breakdown for those looking to ETS or considering it

• 25B — sys admin, $80-110k CONUS / $140-180k OCONUS
• 25H/25N — network eng, $100-140k / $180-250k
• 25Q — LOS/BLOS field eng, $95-140k / $150-220k
• 25S — SATCOM field eng (what i do), $110-160k / $180-280k
• 25U — broad path, $75-120k starting
• 25D — SOC/cyber, $90-130k, jumps to $150+ with CISSP
• 17C — cyber ops, big money if you have the resume for it

three things nobody tells you:

1. Sec+ before you ETS. army pays for it via credentialing assistance. it's the DoD 8570 gate for basically every IA job. no Sec+ = no interview.
2. your clearance is worth $15-25k/yr by itself. don't let it lapse.
3. start job hunting 6 months out, not 2 weeks. big contractors (, Leidos, KBR, SAIC, CACI) move slow. OCONUS packages take even longer.

if you're going the Comptia then CISSP route eventually i wrote a free study guide if interested i can post it here

Ill take a BLT and a chocolate shake

CISSP Field Manual - Free Download

Posted this in r/cissp earlier this week and got great feedback plus multiple suggestions to share it at r/cybersecurity for anyone on the CISSP path or considering it.

Quick context: passed November 2024 at 101 questions in ~80 minutes. After passing I spent 400+ hours turning my study notes into a proper field manual as a way to give back to the community that helped me get there.

91 pages, completely free. Covers all 8 domains, the manager mindset that trips up most technical people, test-day tactics, and a ranked breakdown of every resource I actually used with honest notes on which ones moved the needle vs. which ones I'd skip.

Hosted as a PDF so I can push updates as the exam evolves and as corrections come in from the community. Downloading always gets you the most current version.

Any feedback good, bad, or "you got X wrong on page Y" is genuinely appreciated. Comment here, DM me, or email (address is on the site).

Mods: if this link isn't allowed under sub rules, please let me know and I'll pull it. It goes straight to the free PDF, no paywall, no email gate, no upsell. Happy to repost without it if needed.

Cissp Field Manual - Link to Download

Update**Currently sitting at 10k downloads!!! Yall Rock!!**

Passed last November at 101 questions in about 80 minutes. This cert has genuinely changed my career trajectory, so I put together something to give back to the community that got me here.

Spent 400+ hours turning my study notes into a proper field manual. Completely free. Covers all 8 domains, the manager mindset, test-day tactics, and probably most useful a ranked breakdown of every resource I actually used with notes on which ones moved the needle vs. which ones I'd skip.

Hosted as a PDF online so I can push updates as the exam changes and as feedback comes in from this sub and others. Whenever you download it, you're getting the most up-to-date version.

Any feedback good, bad, or "you got this wrong on page X" is genuinely appreciated. Comment here, DM me, or email (address is on the site). Want to keep this book accurate and useful long-term, so I will be actively incorporating your feedback

Good luck to everyone grinding right now. You've got this.

Mods: if this link isn't allowed under sub rules, please let me know and I'll remove it — the link goes straight to the free PDF download, no paywall, no email gate. Happy to discuss how to share the study material without it if needed.