CISM vs PMI-ACP
Which certification is right for your career? Here's the full breakdown.
ISACA
CISM
CISM
Management-focused security certification covering governance, risk management, and incident management.
Full guide →PMI
PMI-ACP
PMI-ACP
PMI's agile certification covering Scrum, Kanban, Lean, XP, and SAFe — ideal for PMs transitioning to agile delivery.
Full guide →Side-by-side comparison
| Category | CISM | PMI-ACP |
|---|---|---|
| Exam cost | $760 USD | ✓$495 USD |
| Avg salary uplift | ✓+$20,000/yr | +$15,000/yr |
| Exam duration | 240 min | 180 min |
| Renewal period | Every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| Issued by | ISACA | PMI |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Intermediate |
CISM — Prerequisites
5 years information security management experience
PMI-ACP — Prerequisites
2,000 hours general project experience + 1,500 hours agile experience + 21 hours agile education
Get CISM if…
- •You're aiming for senior or management roles in security
- •You want a +$20,000/yr salary boost
- •You prefer credentials from ISACA
Get PMI-ACP if…
- •You have 2–3 years of IT experience and want to specialise
- •You want a +$15,000/yr salary boost
- •You prefer credentials from PMI
Best CISM courses
Best PMI-ACP courses
Frequently asked questions
Is CISM harder than PMI-ACP?
CISM is harder — rated advanced vs intermediate.
Which pays more — CISM or PMI-ACP?
CISM has an average salary uplift of +$20,000/yr, while PMI-ACP has +$15,000/yr. CISM has the higher salary impact.
Which should I get first — CISM or PMI-ACP?
PMI-ACP is the better starting point — it's rated intermediate and costs less. Use it as a stepping stone toward CISM.