(ISC)2, an international non-profit membership association, and Learning Tree International (OTCQX:LTRE) today announced a global agreement to enhance development of the professional cybersecurity practice around the world. (ISC)2 certifications will now be recognised within Learning Tree’s proprietary course library and provided within the commercial training frameworks it maintains for major organisations, including the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency).
The collaboration broadens access to the best cybersecurity practices, knowledge, and principles documented over 28 years by (ISC)2’s global community of more than 120,000 practicing information security professionals.
Today’s agreement follows Learning Tree’s February announcement of a commercial training contract to be delivered across 40 sites serving up to 33,000 NATO staff, which includes cybersecurity, among other technical and programme management disciplines. NCI Agency services are designed to support NATO consultation, command and control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
Through this agreement, Learning Tree will also include (ISC)² training and certifications within their programmes that align to the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Cybersecurity Workforce Framework under the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST).
Sean Craig, Managing Director, Learning Tree International EMEA, notes that cybersecurity is a growing priority: “As the ever-evolving threat of cybersecurity attacks continues to grow, our clients are intensifying their efforts to both develop and demonstrate that they have the skills to face it. For this reason, we are finding that formal certification and professional recognition for cybersecurity roles are becoming a key priority for many.”
“Learning Tree lends a significant boost to our commitment to supporting organisations around the world in their battle against cyberthreats. As a global membership body, (ISC)2 has a unique opportunity to maintain the breadth of practice knowledge and verify it by people working on the frontlines. Partnerships such as this one ensure we can reach the people that need it and add the credibility of professional recognition to the challenging work that they do., says Faisal Malik, Head of Business and Market Development EMEA, (ISC)2.
This year, forecasts for a global cybersecurity skills shortage grew by 20% to reach 1.8 million in 2022, according to the Center for Cyber Safety and Education’s 2017 Global Information Security Workforce Study, which has been benchmarking workforce development for (ISC)2 and the world since 2004. The study also reports that governments and companies are already feeling the impact of the shortage; with 66% of the more than 19,000 respondents stating they have too few cybersecurity professionals working for them today and 46% of the more than 1,000 UK participants in particular struggling to find the talent they were actively recruiting.
(ISC)2 certifications confirm comprehensive professional knowledge in the critical areas needed to develop and protect systems and data in current business and working environments. Our commitment to continuing education is helping professionals and their employers keep pace with ever-changing requirements.
