EC-Council Announces a Global Initiative to Recognize Competent Leaders in Cybersecurity
EC-Council, the world’s leading cybersecurity certification body, introduces a global grandfathering initiative for cybersecurity professionals, recognizing their expertise to take on influential roles in a CISO’s office. Tampa, Florida, December 7, 2023: EC-Council, the inventor of the Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) and a global leader in cybersecurity certification, launched the Associate C|CISO grandfathering initiative today to empower qualified cybersecurity professionals to validate their skills for future leadership roles in the office of a CISO. Under this initiative, qualified subject matter experts with relevant practical experience who go unrecognized or have the potential to assume leadership roles will be able to unlock the opportunity to gain recognition for their expertise and attain the Associate C|CISO certification. This credential validates their proficiency across pivotal areas in cybersecurity and helps advance their careers in cybersecurity leadership. According to a report by Statista, the global indicator “Estimated Cost of Cybercrime” in the cybersecurity market would keep going up by 5.7 trillion US dollars from 2023 to 2028, reaching a new high of 13.82 trillion US dollars in 2028. This number surpasses the GDP of many nations, emphasizing the critical role CISOs play in ensuring organizational cybersecurity. Organizations must acknowledge the exceptional difficulties cybersecurity leaders face and take proactive steps to identify, nurture, and reward these unsung heroes who play an indispensable role in safeguarding our interconnected world. The role of a chief information security officer (CISO) is multi-dimensional and challenging. Therefore, organizations must foster strong cybersecurity leadership teams with the skills and expertise to help CISOs with strategic planning and risk management. EC-Council’s Associate C|CISO grandfathering initiative bridges the skill recognition gap, helping cybersecurity professionals showcase their understanding of leadership operations that build a strong cybersecurity posture. Applicants gain the chance to boost their profiles for leadership positions and become eligible to pursue EC-Council’s premier CISO program, the Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C|CISO). The grandfathering program is open to applicants with at least five years of cumulative experience in the Associate C|CISO domains. To establish their eligibility, candidates are required to submit verifier details of individuals who can attest to their qualifications. Candidates may also choose to provide copies of their Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), or Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certifications. Commenting on the Associate C|CISO grandfathering initiative, Jay Bavisi, President and CEO of the EC-Council group, said, “The demand for cybersecurity leaders is soaring as businesses increasingly need to anticipate and devise strategies to mitigate evolving cyber threats. A modern CISO is expected to demonstrate skills beyond technical cybersecurity and build cohesive risk management strategies aligning with an organization’s business goals. EC-Council’s Associate C|CISO grandfathering program strives to build competent cybersecurity leadership by endorsing credible professionals with the Associate C|CISO title, validating their readiness to take on leadership roles in a CISO’s office.” Candidates applying for the grandfathering program will be carefully evaluated. Upon successful verification, they will qualify for the Associate C|CISO title, which will not only recognize their ability to fulfill leadership roles in a CISO’s office but also bolster their candidacy for the C|CISO certification, supporting their ambition to becoming a CISO.
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