Almost two thirds of cybersecurity professionals (63%) currently are pursuing, or planning to pursue, security-related certifications, according to the (ISC)² 2020 Cybersecurity Workforce Study. Certifications deliver multiple benefits, including increased earning power and better career opportunities. The study found that security certifications on average boost salaries by $18,000, from an average of $67,000 to $85,000. That alone is a significant motivator, although cybersecurity professionals typically don’t limit their choice of employment to earning potential alone. They tend to value attributes such as career advancement opportunities and work/life balance as much or more. Of course, certifications are about more than boosting pay. They make job seekers more marketable by demonstrating levels of proficiency that otherwise would be harder to prove. Typically,

Earlier this week, (ISC)² announced the opening of registration for a limited number of online examinations as part of a pilot test for online proctoring. Prior to this pilot test, (ISC)² exams have only been available at Pearson VUE test centers, but during the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced test centers to close. While most test centers are now open, and health and safety measures are in place for test-takers, we have taken the first step in exploring the possibility of future online exams for CISSP and other (ISC)² certifications.  During select dates in February, we will be running a pilot test for online proctored exams. Only 2,000 exams will be available on a first-come, first-served basis during this time frame and the results of the pilot test will

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected enterprise IT security organizations around the world? And how are they rethinking their priorities and investments as a result? Find answers and insights inside CyberEdge Group’s Impact of COVID-19 on Enterprise IT Security Teams Report, sponsored by (ISC)². This comprehensive survey of 600 cybersecurity professionals representing 7 countries and 19 industries reveals an in-depth study of how COVID-19 has altered enterprises and how they are responding. The research shows: A 114% increase in remote workers during the pandemic 67% of responding organizations are experiencing IT security staffing challenges 75% claim COVID-19 has increased their preference for cloud-based security solutions 66% now have a BYOD policy in place, up from 41.5% pre-pandemic Clearly, networks and

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