As organizations worldwide are seeking trusted ways to validate AI security knowledge and skills, practitioners are defining it. In building the future ISC2 AI security certification, insiders across industries have a rare opportunity to establish global benchmarks for AI security competence. These volunteers are collaborating in assessing the real-world challenges and mapping the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to ensure they are reflected in the certification.
As development reaches each new milestone, the voices of experienced professionals remain essential. In a recent survey of engaged volunteers, we asked – What is the value in being among the 8,000+ people who have registered interest in contributing?
In short, practitioners ensure that certifications remain practical, relevant and credible by bringing real-world experience, identifying emerging trends that not only define the standards but continue to shape the future of the cybersecurity profession.
Certification Grounded in Real-World Practice, Set up for Industry Evolution
Volunteers emphasized that practitioners bring firsthand experience with the challenges, risks and decisions cybersecurity professionals face every day. Their involvement ensures certification content reflects real-world environments, operational constraints and practical application, not just theory.
“I wanted to contribute a practitioner’s perspective and help ensure the content reflects the realities professionals face when implementing AI governance, not simply the theory behind the frameworks. I see this as an opportunity to help establish that benchmark.” - Michael Adekanye, CISSP, CCSP, CGRC
As AI and cybersecurity continue to evolve, volunteer engagement remains critical throughout the certification lifecycle. Practitioners are often the first to encounter emerging threats, new technologies, shifting regulations, and implementation challenges. Their ongoing insights help ensure certification content and exam items remain current, relevant, and aligned with industry needs.
Connection Today, Building Tomorrow
Volunteers are still needed. Through JTA surveys and workshops, contributors from different industries, regions, and backgrounds help shape certifications with diverse perspectives. More than 150 countries have already been represented in the process.
“Practitioner participation helps ensure that an ISC2 certification reflects real world challenges and current industry practices. It brings practical perspectives that improve the relevance, credibility and overall quality of the certification.” - Tushar Kanthi Kar, CC, CISSP
As AI continues to evolve, volunteer expertise plays a critical role in keeping certifications aligned with emerging threats, regulations and industry needs. For many volunteers, the most rewarding part of the experience is seeing their expertise shape a professional standard that influences how future practitioners prepare for AI security roles and how organizations assess AI security knowledge and skills.
“I would describe the experience as both a contribution to the wider ISC2 community and a useful opportunity for professional development. (Workshop) participants should expect to be challenged, to encounter perspectives different from their own, and to contribute thoughtfully to discussions where there may not always be an obvious or immediate answer.” - Michael Hartley, CISSP, CCSP
Many active participants also view their involvement as an opportunity to contribute beyond exam development. By sharing their expertise, they help influence workforce development, guide the evolution of cybersecurity practice and support the next generation of professionals as they prepare to address emerging challenges. In doing so, volunteers leave a lasting impact not only on a certification, but on the future of the profession itself.
Interested in contributing? Building on the insights gathered from our recent JTA survey, we are still looking for practitioners to help shape AI security certification standards. Through upcoming certification development workshops and other initiatives, you can help ensure these standards remain grounded in real-world experience. Fill out the volunteer form today.
