(ISC)² – the world’s largest nonprofit association of certified cybersecurity professionals – today introduced its new entry-level certification pilot programme in Asia Pacific. The (ISC)2entry-level cybersecurity certification pilot serves as an entry point for newcomers looking to join the fast-growing sector without prior IT or cybersecurity experience.
The certification was developed to support and nurture a new generation of cybersecurity professionals entering the field, no matter their age, industry, or skill level. From university graduates to mid-career professionals, the certification will assure employers that they have the foundational knowledge, skills and abilities to succeed in entry- and junior-level roles.
“Our latest Cybersecurity Workforce Study found that the global cybersecurity workforce has a shortage of 2.72 million professionals. Asia Pacific has the largest regional gap – 1.42 million cybersecurity professionals are needed to meet demand. There is a clear need to build more talent in the industry,” said Clar Rosso, Chief Executive Officer, (ISC)2. “Our new foundational certification will support the creation of new career opportunities for individuals entering the cybersecurity workforce and narrow the skills gap. Together with our other advanced certifications, (ISC)2now offers one of the industry’s broadest range of programmes for professionals of all skill levels and at all career stages.”
The (ISC)² entry-level cybersecurity certification pilot programme evaluates candidates across five domains – security principles, business continuity (BC), disaster recovery (DR) and incident response concepts, access controls concepts, network security, and security operations. Candidates who successfully complete the programme will be exposed to fundamental technical concepts and cybersecurity best practices, providing a strong foundation for them to attain more experience and industry qualifications over time.
The conclusion of the pilot program and launch of the official entry-level certification program is expected later this summer.
Once the pilot programme concludes, future plans include translating the English exam into Chinese, Japanese, and Korean for candidates in the region. The move will also serve to smoothen the transition for new entrants into the sector, and ensure that it remains unhindered by language barriers.
