Get your foot in the cybersecurity door with new ISACA certificate

How much do you know about cybersecurity? Would you like to know more? No matter what your core IT specialization is, the likelihood is that security has a direct bearing on what you do. Even non-IT corporations like grocery and department store retailer Target or, more recently, sandwich maker Jimmy John's — which disclosed a data breach affecting 216 restaurant locations nationwide at the end of September — have a vested interest in improving their cybersecurity practices and protections. Wherever you get your twice-a-month paychecks, odds are good that your current boss (or your next one) would reward an increased commitment to cybersecurity awareness.

There are many ways to increase your cybersecurity savvy, but not all of them are backed by a global IT association with more than 45 years in the game. Earlier this week, ISACA announced the launch of its new Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate. Though not a certification — each of ISACA's four certs requires a period of immersion in cybersecurity measured in years — the Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate does verify that anyone who achieves has an entry-level, foundational knowledge of IT security best practices. In particular, the certificate, which is earned by passing a timed exam, addresses knowledge of the following:

— Cybersecurity concepts
— Cybersecurity architecture principles
— Cybersecurity of networks, systems, applications and data
— Incident response
— Security of evolving technology

The exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions, and candidates must score at least 65 percent to pass. The cost to register for the closed-book exam, available online with remote proctoring, is $150. Candidates must complete the exam in two hours. A Cybersecurity Fundamentals study guide is also available ($55), as well as a complimentary exam guide. The Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate was created by ISACA's Cybersecurity Nexus, an ongoing program to evangelize for cybersecurity concerns and improve global awareness of best practices. The certificate is also aligned with goals of both the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE). Additional details and exam registration are available online.

ISACA international president Robert Stroud said in a press release that the Cybersecurity Fundamental Certificate can help IT pros gain a vital job skill that is increasingly in demand. ""ISACA's Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate helps organizations quickly identify candidates with a foundational level of cybersecurity knowledge," Stroud said, "while helping the most qualified job seekers distinguish themselves."