Paying Forward -Cloud Security Cohort​

There has always been a worldwide shortage and demand for cybersecurity personnel. The
pandemic lockdown saw an increase in cloud usage and greater cloud adoption. Many enterprises
pivoted to the cloud to take advantage of its elasticity, scalability and agility to enhance their time
to market. The shortage of cloud professionals was dire, causing due diligence to be undertaken
hastily, systems developed. In addition, the need for cybersecurity professionals skilled in
understanding cloud technology exists but there is currently no process to upskill in cloud security.
Background: Certificate on Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK)

Since CSA first released CCSK in 2010, thousands of IT and security professionals have taken the opportunity to upgrade their skill sets and enhance their careers by obtaining the CCSK. Certification Magazine has listed CCSK at #1 on the Average Salary Survey 2016. CIO.com, Top Ten Cloud Computing Certifications, says: "This is the mother of all cloud computing security certifications. The Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge certification is vendor-neutral, and certifies competency in key cloud security areas.” 

There are several modes of CCSK training; these are: 
1. Self-learning: The individual downloads CCSK materials (aka Body of Knowledge) from the CSA website; they are available free of charge. Having studies them, he will be well- prepared to take the online CCSK examination.
2. Self-paced learning: The individual buys a Learning Management System (LMS) license to gain access to learning materials that pace the individual through the topics.
3. Classroom-based learning: A human instructor conducts an in-person training to individuals in a classroom setting, fields questions from and interacts students.
4. Virtual Instructor-Led Training (VILT): This mode is the same as (3) but delivered via an online conferencing system (e.g., Zoom).

Mode (4) is prevalent during the pandemic lockdown period where in-person learning situations are discouraged or prohibited. 

This program seeks to introduce a learning mode between modes (1) and (2). It is based on self-help approach, with guidance from volunteer experts and adopts a pay-forward philisophy. 

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Study Materials