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Accredited Membership

CIISec accredit information security professionals to ensure that they meet the highest professional standards and our competency based memberships are widely recognised in the information security industry. The competency-based assessment is the only one in the profession, setting it apart from knowledge-based qualifications.

Having become a member, individuals should then apply to upgrade their membership to accredited levels by demonstrating their practical experience and breadth of knowledge. This is assessed through a written application for Associate Membership and an application followed by interview for Full Membership.

Accredited Affiliate
The first accredited level of CIISec membership. This level sits in between Affiliate and Associate to recognise the knowledge level of an individual. The accreditation sets individuals apart early in their career with the post-nominals AfCIIS and being a steppingstone towards your Associate membership.

Individuals qualify for this level of membership by:

• Passing the CIISec ICSF Exam
• Graduating from a cyber related course from a CIISec Academic Partners *subject to sufficient qualifying credits
• Completing a Level 3 apprenticeship in Cyber Security
• Completing the CyberEPQ
• As part of ICDIP membership level
• Passing one of the following exams

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) – ISC(2)

  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) – ISACA

  • Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM) – ISACA

  • Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C/CISO) – EC-Council

  • Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) – ISACA

  • Certificate in Information Security Management Principles (CISMP) – BCS

  • Certificate in EC-Council Information Security Management (EISM) EC-Council

  • Graduate of Cyber Security – CapsLock

  • CompTIA Security+ - CompTIA

  • CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) - CompTIA

  • Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate - Microsoft

If you can claim one of the above please send a copy of your certificate from your qualifying route to [email protected]

Associate Membership

Individuals who can demonstrate a breadth of knowledge and some practical experience should apply at this level. Candidates are likely to be successful at this level if they have 2+ years in an information security role. You can apply for Associate Membership via our Online Accreditation portal once logged in to your personal membership account.

Full Membership

Individuals who can demonstrate breadth and depth of knowledge and substantial practical experience should apply at this level. Candidates are likely to be successful at this level if they have 5-10 years in an information security role. You can apply for Full Membership via our Online Accreditation portal once logged in to your personal membership account.

Fellow

The process requires a nomination by either a CIISec Board Member, Full or Fellow member. Please contact [email protected] to see if you are eligible.

Benefits of CIISec Membership

Access to the CIISec Skills, Knowledge and Roles Frameworks to assist with your cyber security career development. The CIISec Frameworks are invaluable tools for a successful career in cyber security. They are adaptable to your use at any time in your cyber security career. For individuals, they are there to assist in benchmarking the skills you currently possess and to determine, through a gap analysis, a clear road map of how you will best manage and progress your career. The CIISec Frameworks undergo an annual review to address and include changes to the cyber security profession. Our Frameworks are available to all members with an active membership account. 

Industry recognised postnominals for CIISec Accredited Members. By gaining CIISec Membership Accreditation individuals are awarded post-nominals, this gives you a way to proudly display your cyber security experience and knowledge. By using your postnominal across professional social media accounts, adding to your CV and signatures you can accelerate your career by standing out from the crowd and displaying you are among the gold standard of cyber security practitioners. If you are a CIISec Accredited member please proudly append the correlating post-nominal
Accredited Affiliate - AfCIIS
Associate - ACIIS
Full - MCIIS
Fellow - FCIIS

Access to learning resources and intellectual property on our web site including educational videos from events led by subject matter experts. By accessing these resources in the members-only resource area you will be able to catch up with industry topics and self-study key cyber security principals to progress your understanding and career.
You can find an example of talks on our YouTube channel but much more awaits in our resource library.

Access to member exclusive events and webinars. Hear from industry leaders and network with your peers at our CIISec member exclusive events. We have free to attend events for all levels of CIISec membership. Our Masterclass development events will assist in furthering your career by imparting industry expert information. There are also 14 regional branches of CIISec throughout the UK that hold regular events so you can learn and network in your local cyber security community. In addition to these events, we hold Innovation webinars to showcase cutting edge innovative cyber security products that can be the solutions to your problems. We run an Associate Development Programme (ADP) for individuals employed by our Corporate Members, this helps to fast track careers and assists in individuals gaining professional recognition rapidly. CIISec also delivers membership level driven events for CCP practitioners and student members.

Member exclusive discounts for our annual headline event CIISec Live. Our members receive a discount to the key date in the cyber security profession calendar, our annual CIISec Live event. Each year features our unique world class cyber security leaders’ presentations. Hands-on Masterclass sessions and the chance to see the most innovative products and solutions our industry has to offer. The higher CIISec accreditation you hold the more money you save.

Discount on cyber security industry events. CIISec regularly partners with cutting edge, reputable and ground-breaking industry events. We send you direct updates and reminders about events we are partnered with and negotiate savings for our members to attend.

Regular updates, discussion and research from the cyber security profession via our quarterly magazine and monthly newsletters. As a CIISec member, you will receive our members-only magazine direct to your inbox. Not only will it assist in advising you about the cyber security profession and impart knowledge we also actively welcome contributions from you so there is an opportunity to have your thought leadership published.

Discounts on CIISec Accredited training courses. CIISec benchmark the whole cyber security profession and part of this work is accrediting training courses. As part of this, we partner with our accredited training providers to give your CIISec member-exclusive discounts. Find the latest deals here

Access to CIISec member-exclusive jobs board. Here you will find roles posted by our Corporate Members giving you access to the latest roles at all levels of the profession from the big four consultancies, large banking organisations and the public and private sector.