ACS launches cybersecurity credentials program
Canberra, Wednesday September 6, 2017 – The Hon Dan Tehan MP, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security, has this morning launched an extension to the ACS Certified Professional and Certified Technologist schemes, recognising the importance of Cyber Security to Australia’s growing digital economy.
With heightened awareness of the need to lift cyber resilience in Australia, an ACS Cyber Taskforce headed by Dr Jill Slay was established to review global cyber security frameworks and identify best practice professional benchmarks.
The release of Certified Professional (Cyber Security) and Certified Technologist (Cyber Security) is an expression of these benchmarks.
ACS President Anthony Wong identified the critical need for a specialised certification.
“Our Digital Pulse report identified the significant impact of unlawful activity in the digital space. On average, a cybercrime attack costs a business in Australia more than $400,000. With most businesses in Australia being SME’s this is a critical area for the country to address.
Overall, digital technologies are forecast to be worth $139 billion to the Australian economy in 2020, which will equate to seven per cent of GDP. In light of the recent WannaCry and Petya ransomware attacks around the world, it is clear that a strong cyber security ecosystem is a pre-requisite to continued economic growth.”
The Cyber Security specialisation status will require applicants to demonstrate in depth capability in a range of areas identified in the globally recognised Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA).
“A key element of Cyber Security is trust. We trust business and government to protect our private and personal data. Establishing a professional certification where applicants must commit to a code of ethics, code of professional practice and undertake continuing professional development helps provide a level of certainty and trustworthiness.
By employing professionals with a CP (Cyber Security) certification, businesses and government are demonstrating to consumers that their Cyber Security professionals have undergone a rigorous assessment process, demonstrated a commitment to the highest principles, and are well placed to lift the cyber resilience of their organisation” Wong said.
Existing Certified Professionals and Certified Technologists are able to apply to have their certification upgraded by visiting the ACS website.
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Further information for Members is available by calling 02 9299 3666
For media enquiries please contact
Thomas Shanahan, Thomas.shanahan@acs.org.au, 0424 139 440
Alexander Liddington-Cox, Media + Capital Partners, +61 474 701 469 alex.liddingtoncox@mcpartners.com.au