How will I be assessed?

Individuals applying for the Associate Cyber Security Professional title are assessed against the UK Cyber Security Council Standard for Professional Competence and Commitment. This government-backed standard sets out clear criteria and competencies that demonstrate technical knowledge, leadership and ethics across each of our four professional titles.

As part of your application, you will be assessed against the following competencies.

A) Knowledge, Understanding and Experience

This competency demonstrates your cyber security knowledge, and your experience applying that knowledge in a cyber security setting. At the Associate level, you should be able to demonstrate knowledge within key areas of cyber security, and either be employed in an early career role, or ready for employment in the cyber security sector.

B) Communication and Interpersonal Skills

This competency is about being able to communicate and discuss aspects of cyber security with peers and managers within an organisation. At the Associate level, you should be able to demonstrate that you have reasonable communication and interpersonal skills.

C) Collaborative Management, Leadership and Mentoring

This competency is about being able to operate in a professional cyber security environment. At the Associate level, you should be able to demonstrate that you have carried out some supervised activity within either a real or simulated cyber security environment, and understand the need to develop further skills.

D) Integrity

This competency is about demonstrating a core commitment to the cyber security profession, and understanding the importance of complying with codes of ethics, adherence to standards and with legal and regulatory requirements. At the Associate level, you should be able to demonstrate that you can understand and apply integrity, morals and ethical values across your work.

E) Personal Commitment

This competency is about demonstrating a commitment to continued development of knowledge and understanding as well as adapting to advances in technology and the evolving cyber security landscape. At the Associate level, you should be able to demonstrate that you carry out and plan for continued professional development.

There is more information on these competencies, and the questions that will form your application, in our guidance document.