IT examination services provider, Global Certifications Institute (GCI), has introduced a range of new Information Assurance (IA) examinations in partnership with InfoSec Skills to combat local skills shortages.
These will be bundled with online training courses to facilitate their introduction to GCI’s network of Accredited Training Organisations (ATOs) in Asia-Pacific (APAC).
According to a statement, the British Computer Society (BCS) accredited InfoSec courses are the first IA courses in the world that lead to BCS Professional Certificates.
GCI managing director, Peter Cross, said IA is emerging as a major new focus for public and private organisations, although there are very few people locally who possess the relevant skills to embrace the concept.
The goal of the courses is therefore to enable ATOs to quickly respond to the skills shortage in application of IA concepts while developing capabilities to deliver instructor-led and face-to-face learning experiences.
“IA is a risk-based approach to protection of integrity, availability, authenticity, non-repudiation and confidentiality of user data,” Cross said. “IA methodologies use process driven physical, technical and administrative controls to complement existing information security programs which, to date, have largely been driven from a technological perspective.”
“There is now the possibility for graduate students to not only leave university with a master’s degree in information security, but also with their first industry-recognised professional qualification.”
Cross said GCI is managing the distribution of the IA examinations and courseware from InfoSec to its network of ATOs and tertiary education institutions in APAC as a value-add to its existing services. GCI will also provide assistance and support for prospective candidates preparing for exams.
“We have seen the growth of demand for IA training overseas and offer the chance for local ATOs to embrace this largely new initiative to bundle e-learning courseware with exams,” Cross said. “IT will enable ATOs to generate additional income and to effectively test the level of interest in the marketplace before introducing classroom training courses.”
