Perks of my job: getting special email invites from universities offering to share their education goodies to with my audience. <oh how things have changed in 10 years> This is a GREAT pilot program offer for any of you who have been studying or working in Cybersecurity and want to try for a credential. Open to any anyone- parents too!
Excelsior College (NY) is partnered with The International Information System Security Certification Consortium or ISC2 (https://www.isc2.org/). The organization has earmarked 500 exam vouchers for partners of Excelsior College (which includes Homeschooling for College Credit and other companies) to take their pilot Entry-Level Cybersecurity Certification exam for free.
They are not offering free training, this is an exam. You have to study/learn/train yourself on your own (think of this like CLEP) and then you take the exam when ready. This is part of a pilot program – HS4CC people get to take it for $0.
*You do NOT need work experience to take this exam*
The pilot exam administration period will begin Jan. 31, 2022. Registration for the pilot exam is now open with appointments currently available until May 31, 2022
Please note that the pilot exam administration period may be shortened or extended depending on the number or participants taking the exam. We recommend that any interested candidates schedule their exam as early as possible.
EXAM CONTENTS
time: 2 hours
number of questions: 100
Domain 1: Security Principles (26%)
Understand the security concepts of information
assurance, the risk management process,
security controls, the (ISC)² Code of Ethics and
governance processes.
Domain 2: Business Continuity (BC), (10%)
Disaster Recovery (DR) & Incident
Response Concepts
Understand business continuity (BC), disaster
recovery (DR) and incident response.
Domain 3: Access Controls Concepts (22%)
Understand physical access controls and logical
access controls.
Domain 4: Network Security (24%)
Understand computer networking, network
threats and attacks and network security
infrastructure.
Domain 5: Security Operations (18%)
Understand data security, system hardening,
best practice security policies and awareness
training.
Exam Registration is Open
Start on your path to a cybersecurity career today. Turn your passion and drive into a rewarding career. No degree or experience required.
Candidates can register for the pilot exam via Pearson VUE. The process is simple:
- Create an account with Pearson VUE and log in.
- Under Schedule an Exam, click View Exams.
- Click Other Exams and select the EL_Pilot: Entry Level Certification Pilot Examination.
- Schedule your exam and testing location.
CODE to get this exam for free: GROWCYBER22
UPDATE 4/15/2022 many of you have experienced issues with the registration and use of the code. I have been in contact with Excelsior College & (ISC)2 and received the following good news:
It takes about 5-7 days on the back-end to process everything that’s coming through.
- We take the registrations from our site
- Pass them to Pearson Vue
- Return to the individual with a unique PV code they can use to schedule directly with PV
Bottom line: Please let them know that as long as they received the confirmation from us, they’re in the queue.
If you experience ANY issues, I want you to contact (ISC)² 1-866-331-4722 ext. 3 or training@isc2.org. Tell them you got your voucher from the Excelsior College Partner program.
About this Credential & Exam FAQ
As a pilot program participant, you will help us evaluate the effectiveness of the exam and its ability to accurately assess candidates’ grasp of the subject matter (also called domains) on which the exam is based. By passing the pilot exam, you will earn full certification at the conclusion of the pilot program.
The entry-level cybersecurity certification will prove to employers you have the foundational knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for an entry- or junior-level cybersecurity role. It will signal your understanding of fundamental security best practices, policies and procedures, as well as your willingness and ability to learn more and grow on the job.
Q: Why is (ISC)² developing an entry-level certification?
A: Research from (ISC)² and others continues to conclude that there is a global shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals. While there are many contributing factors, we believe one solution is to create a certification that enables candidates – including students, young professionals and career-changers – to demonstrate to employers their familiarity with foundational cybersecurity concepts as determined by cybersecurity professionals and practitioners already in the field.
Q: What is a certification pilot program?
A: Before a certification program becomes formally operational, a rigorous process of exploration, research and validation is necessary to ensure the qualification meets its intended purpose, as well as the demanding standards of the cybersecurity community. The pilot program for a potential entry-level certification has entered the phase where we need participants to sit for the pilot exam. We are looking for new entrants to cybersecurity, individuals interested in pursuing a cybersecurity career from another field, as well as existing cybersecurity professionals to take the pilot exam. This will enable us to evaluate the effectiveness of the exam and its ability to accurately assess candidates’ grasp of the subject matter (also called domains) on which the exam is based.
Q: What is the (ISC)² entry-level cybersecurity pilot certification?
A: The new pilot certification program is aimed at helping cybersecurity career pursuers demonstrate their foundational knowledge to employers, proving they can learn and grow on the job.
Q: How will I know if I pass the pilot exam?
A: Since this is a pilot exam program, candidates will not immediately receive results. Pilot exam candidates will receive a notification at the end of their exam that states results will be available in 8 to 12 weeks following the conclusion of the pilot exam period, which allows for a thorough assessment and evaluation of the pilot exam. Candidates will receive notification via the email they used to register for the pilot exam.
When pilot exam results become available, candidates will receive notice of a pass or fail of the pilot exam. No scores or relative performance related to specific domains will be available for the pilot exam.
Q: Can I take the exam online?
A: The entry-level cybersecurity certification pilot exam will only be available in-person at (ISC)²-authorized Pearson VUE test centers.
Q: Who should consider participating in this pilot certification?
A: Individuals pursuing a career in cybersecurity, which can include recent college graduates or those wishing to change careers.
Jennifer’s unofficial study resources
These links may help you prepare for this exam- note that these are just resources I have saved, and not in any way endorsed or suggested by (ISC)². If you have others, please let me know so I can update this list. (note: parents of high school students can award high school credit in cybersecurity for their time spent learning this info!)
- What is Cybersecurity? (Short video from Khan Academy)
- 8-hour free Edureka Cyber Security Course on YouTube
- 8-hour free Simplilearn Cyber Security Course on YouTube
- FEMA-Funded Cyber Security Courses (free)
The voucher/Promotion code (GROWCYBER22) was invalid on Pearson VUE. Was I too late?
UPDATE 4/15/2022 many of you have experienced issues with the registration and use of the code. If you experience ANY issues, I want you to contact (ISC)² 1-866-331-4722 ext. 3 or training@isc2.org. Tell them you got your voucher from the Excelsior College Partner program.