• Cloud computing key driver in challenges faced by security staff
• 21 percent of EMEA companies use cloud to provide 3^rd parties access to data   
• New cohort of six (ISC)^2® Instructors first in Netherlands
• Acute skills shortage forecasted at 1.5 million by 2020

      London, 29 March 2016, Amsterdam – Capacity to assure security competency for cloud computing and a breadth of cybersecurity disciplines in the Netherlands has been significantly enhanced today with the availability of a new programme for people to pursue recognition as a Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP^SM) and the first cohort of six Official (ISC)²^® Instructors in the Netherlands. (ISC)²^® (“ISC-squared”), the largest not-for-profit membership body of certified cyber, information, software and infrastructure security professionals worldwide, with over 110,000 members, announced a new agreement with Cibit Academy, part of Inspearit Training Services, to appoint their consultants as official trainers and offer an expanded programme of training for (ISC)² certifications. This includes more classes for the globally recognised Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP^®) and the introduction of classes for the CCSP, which was jointly released in 2015 by (ISC)² and the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA).

“The ambition behind this agreement goes beyond the provision of training. (ISC)² is working to address an acute global shortage of cybersecurity professionals with the opportunity for people working in or pursuing a career to gain professional recognition and the support of being a member of a professional community,” said Faisal Malik, head of Business & Market Development EMEA, (ISC)². “We have worked with Cibit Academy on this ambition for several years now, and we are pleased to be able to expand the partnership with this unique opportunity to have their consultants bring both experience of the challenges that they are exposed to on a daily basis and their knowledge of the Dutch market to the classroom.” 

According to the (ISC)² Global Information Security Workforce Study, considered to be the largest for the information security profession, companies and organisations are struggling to manage threats and avoid errors in the face of growing demands and the broadening footprint of systems and devices requiring security oversight. The study revealed that 62 percent of respondents’ organisations had too few information security professionals, with a forecasted workforce gap of 1.5 million qualified people by 2020.  The survey also confirms near 100 percent adoption rates for cloud computing as a key driver in challenges faced by security staff with companies turning to the cloud to support a breadth of core requirements including: applications (59 percent); remote working/mobility (38 percent), storage (32 percent); application development (24 percent); and providing access to data and systems for third parties (21 percent).

(ISC)² has agreed with Cibit Academy to recognize six practicing consultants from parent company Inspearit as Official Trainers for (ISC)². The move replaces the need for qualified trainers to travel from abroad, and enables Cibit Academy to deliver more than double the number of certification programmes with Dutch SMEs, supporting a full portfolio of (ISC)² credentials in the Netherlands. As Inspearit’s trainers spend at least 50 percent of their time as practicing consultants, the classes combine the knowledge of principles and concepts that employers are looking for with practical insights and exposure to current professionals.

“(ISC)2 certifications are well respected and present a real opportunity to help people pursue one of the fastest developing career options in IT and business today,” said Ieva Hoefsmid, Manager, Cibit Academy, adding, “Cybersecurity, Agile, Business Intelligence, Digital Transformation and Enterprise Architecture are the top five training requirements demanded today. All of them speak to the significant change that companies are undergoing given the pace of development in IT with cloud computing, mobility and the Internet of Things.” 

All (ISC)² professional certification programmes are developed and maintained as current through an ongoing job task analysis process with certified members and other industry luminaries. Anyone who is certified becomes a member of (ISC)² and has the opportunity to actively participate in this analysis and thereby, the development of his/her discipline. There are currently over 2,000 (ISC)² certified professionals in the Netherlands who have established an active (ISC)² Chapter.

(ISC)² and Cibit Academy will be talking about developing professional opportunities and the new CCSP credential at the (ISC)² SecureNetherlands one-day conference on Tuesday 29^th March. 

About (ISC)²^®

Formed in 1989, (ISC)² is the largest not-for-profit membership body of certified cyber, information, software and infrastructure security professionals worldwide, with over 110,000 members in more than 160 countries. Globally recognized as the Gold Standard, (ISC)² issues the Certified Authorization Professional (CAP^®), Certified Cyber Forensics Professional (CCFP^®), Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP^SM), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP^®) and related concentrations, Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP^®), HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner (HCISPP^®) and Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP^®) credentials to qualifying candidates. (ISC)²’s certifications are among the first information technology credentials to meet the stringent requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17024, a global benchmark for assessing and certifying personnel. (ISC)² also offers education programs and services based on its CBK^®, a compendium of information and software security topics. More information is available at www.isc2.org.

About Cibit Academy

Founded in 1988, Cibit Academy is The Netherland’s number one IT training company chosen by 1,633 IT professionals due to the innovative and successful learning and development programs and practices. For a quarter of a century now, it provides over 70 training programmes on IT Strategy & Architecture, Agile & Scrum, Digital Transformation, Business Intelligence, and Security through the state of the art didactical methods, from traditional classroom training to a multi-media e-Learning.

Cibit Academy has trained over 50,000 people, has educated more than 600 Master of Science students and is chosen as a strategic partner for professional development by a broad range of organisations, from large financial institutions to Governmental Authorities. 15 out of AEX25 companies in the Netherlands are clients of this training institute. Its teachers are well aware of current business issues and have a successful track record as consultants.

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© 2016, (ISC)² Inc., (ISC)², CAP, CCFP, CISSP, CSSLP, HCISPP, SSCP and CBK are registered marks, and CCSP is a service mark, of (ISC)², Inc.

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