Security specialist in cyberspace: new professional training launched
Federal Councillor Viola Amherd has just launched a new vocational training program: The "Cyber Security Specialist" with a federal certificate.
The country needs new women and men. Or to put it in the words of Federal Councilor Viola Amherd: Switzerland depends on functioning and reliable IT infrastructures and data - as a state, as a society and as individuals. And it needs appropriately trained cybersecurity professionals to protect this lifeblood. The deterioration of the security situation, the DDPS chief said, has affected not only the physical world, but also the virtual world. Her department is responsible for the security and protection of Switzerland and its people in many areas, she said. In the past, it was physical protection; today, it is increasingly digital protection as well, Amherd continued.
New professional training launched
On November 11, 2019, in Bern, the Federal Council approved the new professional profile, the new professional examination "Cyber Security Specialist" with a federal certificate of proficiency. This is because the cyberspace security specialist is a much-needed professional who has the practical skills to manage cyber risks.
The new professional examination was created on the initiative of the army and under the leadership of ICT-Berufsbildung Schweiz. ICT-Berufsbildung Schweiz, the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation and representatives from the private sector actively supported the project.
According to ICT-Berufsbildung, the "Cyber Security Specialists EFA" course is aimed at professional practitioners with experience in the field of IT security. The successful completion of the course allows graduates to be admitted to the federal diploma "ICT Security Expert" or to study at a university of applied sciences.
First exams in a year
Seven private organizations will offer the "Cyber Security Specialist EFA" training. Interested parties can choose from a diverse range of courses, ICT writes. This includes traditional institutes such as gibb, IFA and WISS, the newly founded Cisco CyberSecurity Academy and SIW's virtual classroom training. With the army's cyber course, a public institution also offers a course.
The first "Cyber Security Specialists EFA" professional exams are planned for November 2020, according to ICT-Berufsbildung Schweiz. According to the organization, the test is strongly action-oriented. A large part takes place in the hacking lab of the company Compass Security: Candidates must uncover vulnerabilities in a real system and are confronted with defending against specific attacks. The leadership skills are tested in cooperation with the Swiss Association for Leadership Training SVF, as ICT-Berufsbildung further writes. (rs)
