The cybersecurity workforce gap of 3.1 million cannot be filled overnight; however, working with schools and encouraging younger generations to join the field will help in improving this number. (ISC)² is proud to support efforts that encourage the growth of the industry, including the U.S. Department of Energy’s CyberForce CompetitionTM. Students participating in 2019 CyberForce Competition. The CyberForce Competition is a realistic cyber defense competition providing a hands-on approach to understanding threats, vulnerabilities and consequences. Participants use interactive, scenario-based events where they solve problems using methods, practices, strategies, policies and ethics. Through the CyberForce Competition, the DOE has worked to increase hands-on cyber education to college students and professionals, awareness into the critical infrastructure and cybersecurity nexus, and basic understanding of cybersecurity within a real-world scenario.

(ISC)² announced today that it will offer an online proctoring pilot test for its entire portfolio of cybersecurity certifications, including the renowned CISSP. Administered exclusively through Pearson VUE, this pilot program will assess the viability and future availability of online proctoring for (ISC)² certification examinations.  According to Dr. Casey Marks, chief product officer and vice president: “In the wake of COVID-19, (ISC)² has spent considerable time and effort to ensure the integrity of our exam process while taking into consideration that many candidates are facing extraordinary uncertainty and restrictions due to the pandemic. Our pilot test program will enable us to gather the data we need to weigh the integrity and effectiveness of the exams while making them more easily

With 2020 being a year unlike anyone expected, setting your resolutions and goals for 2021 can be a bit of a daunting task. Usually, we resolve to travel more, or spend more time with friends and family in the new year, but as we continue to navigate this global pandemic, it can be a bit difficult to know what we can achieve during our “now normal” (not a typo!). As a cybersecurity professional, though, one thing is certain for 2021 – you will need to dedicate time beyond your working hours to the field. Not just for CPE requirements as an (ISC)² member, but because – as Erika Sloane in Mission: Impossible would say – that’s the job. You have

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is considered to be the gold standard in information security. This is so because of all the doors that certification opens to a CISSP professional. Those doors lead to many different types of positions and opportunities, thus making the information security community dynamic and multifaceted. In support of this, (ISC)² has launched a series of interviews to explore where CISSP certification has led security professionals. Last time we met Jerome Leach and discovered his experience with the CISSP certification. This installment features Angus Macrae. He is Head of Cyber Security at King’s Service Centre, a forward-thinking technology firm that supports the services at King’s College London. What job do you do today?