Unlock Your Cyber Security Potential with IBITGQ

The cyber security landscape is evolving at a rapid pace, driven by increasing digital transformation, remote work and the sophistication of cyber threats. This has resulted in a surge of costly cyber attacks targeting organisations of all sizes.

In the first half of 2024, we’ve witnessed major breaches. In April, for example, a record-breaking data leak exposed the personal information of nearly 3 billion people. The IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024 highlighted the increasing frequency and financial impact of ransomware attacks, with the average cost per attack at $4.88 million (around ￡3.72 million). These incidents demonstrate the critical need for qualified cyber security professionals.

The cost of not having a skilled and knowledgeable workforce to defend against these attacks far outweighs the investment in training and certification. IBITGQ offers a structured qualifications pathway designed to equip people with the expertise to excel in cyber security.

Building a strong foundation: Certified Cyber Security Foundation

The Certified Cyber Security Foundation qualification is the first step towards a successful cyber security career. It provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of the cyber security landscape, essential concepts and industry best practices.

The qualification covers a wide range of topics, including the following:

• Cyber security fundamentals: Understanding the impact of cyber incidents; the threat landscape; the confidentiality, integrity, availability (CIA) triad; and the role of people, processes and controls.
• Information security and governance: Exploring information governance, organisational governance, the ISO 27014 standard and the role of security steering committees.
• Threat, vulnerability, risk assessment and management: Defining key terms, understanding risk-based approaches and considering risk mitigation options.
• Understanding security controls: Learning about control categories and types, Cloud computing, and cryptography.
• Information security frameworks: Exploring policies, standards, procedures, guidelines, security awareness, legislation and contractual requirements.
• The security lifecycle: Understanding secure coding practices, testing strategies, patch management, change management and independent assurance.
• The need for operational compliance: Learning about auditing, monitoring methods and incident management.

By completing the Certified Cyber Security Foundation course and exam, learners will develop a solid grounding in cyber security principles, enabling them to identify and assess risks, understand security controls, and contribute effectively to an organisation’s security posture.

Deepening expertise: Certified Cyber Security Practitioner

Building on the Foundation certification, the Certified Cyber Security Practitioner qualification delves deeper into the technical aspects of cyber security. It equips people with advanced skills and knowledge to address complex security challenges.

Key areas covered in this qualification include the following:

• Malware analysis and response: Understanding typical malware attacks, adversarial behaviours and incident response techniques.
• Security operations and incident management: Mastering fundamental concepts, digital forensics and cryptography.
• System and network security: Exploring security at the operating system, hypervisor and network levels.
• Application security: Understanding secure software design, development and testing.
• Cyber-physical systems security: Exploring emerging trends and challenges in this critical area.

The Certified Cyber Security Practitioner qualification provides learners with the practical skills and in-depth knowledge required to excel in roles such as security analyst, incident responder and security engineer.

Specialisation: Cyber Incident Response Management Foundation

For those seeking to specialise in incident response, the Cyber Incident Response Management Foundation qualification focuses on managing and responding to cyber incidents effectively.

It covers the following:

• Incident response fundamentals: Key definitions, legal requirements and the role of risk management.
• Understanding cyber risk: Cyber pathways, the cyber kill chain and common vulnerabilities.
• Incident response team: Structure, roles and responsibilities.
• Incident response process: Standards, phases and the role of digital forensics.
• Incident response planning: Developing, testing and evaluating incident response plans.
• Incident response scenarios: Applying techniques to common risk scenarios.

This qualification will equip professionals to lead and contribute to effective incident response efforts, minimising the impact of cyber attacks on organisations.

Managing Cyber Security Risk: A holistic approach

IBITGQ also offers a specialised qualification in managing cyber security risk. It provides a comprehensive overview of the geopolitical, legal and regulatory context of cyber risk, enabling organisations to develop robust cyber security strategies.

Key topics include:

• Cyber governance structures;
• Cyber security risk assessment;
• Cyber threat landscape and intelligence;
• Cyber security maturity models;
• Control frameworks and standards;
• Integrated management systems; and
• Cyber resilience and incident response.

By understanding the broader context of cyber security risk, organisations can make informed decisions, implement effective controls and build resilience against cyber threats.

Path to obtaining an IBITGQ cyber security qualification

IBITGQ’s cyber security qualifications are designed to equip individuals and organisations with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the ever-evolving cyber security landscape. Here’s how you can benefit:

• Individuals: Enhance your career prospects and gain a competitive edge by earning industry-recognised qualifications.
• Organisations: Upskill your workforce and build a team of cyber security professionals to protect your critical assets.
• Accredited training organisations (ATOs): Deliver high-quality cyber security training programmes to your students and clients, leveraging IBITGQ’s globally recognised qualifications.

To achieve an IBITGQ cyber security qualification, candidates must complete an exam. Each exam is mapped to major theoretical principles and practical components and specifications.

Before sitting an exam, a candidate can take training provided by an ATO. Alternatively, they can purchase an exam voucher, which is valid for a specific period, and take an exam administered by an approved provider.

Ready to take the next step? Visit our website at www.ibitgq.org or email [email protected] to learn more about our qualifications and how to get started.

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