[radioactive21]

"What I want from the CISSP or any certification program is that it be hard to pass."

On exam difficulty, try CCIE certification. There are two parts, the written ($350 per an attempt) and then the lab part which cost $1500 per an attempt. The lab part has a 26% pass rate over the history of the exam. In comparison, the CA Bar exam has a 35% and 55% pass rate, which is the lowest in the US.

You also can't just take it anywhere, you have to travel to a designated lab testing center, and depending on where you are that means cost of travel and lodging.