A C A D E M Y
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Protection
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Professional Designation Study Groups
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Online Study Groups
Register for an Online Study Group
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Frequently Asked Questions
Professional Designation Study Groups
One of the most significant ways to advance your career, in addition to experience and mentorship, is furthering your education and obtaining a professional designation. Professional designations provide next-level credibility and professionalism as they demonstrate an individual's dedication to continuous development and dedication to achievement. They often enable an individual to qualify for advancements in the company they work for and their overall career.
Figure out which professional designation you need with our Career Maps on our Career Planning page. Then learn more about the Study Groups we offer to help you pass your exam and achieve the professional designation you need to get that career you want!​
Online Study Groups
​What you will get:
Subscription to an online weekly study group (1-2 hours long) for 8-16 weeks, facilitated and led by an experienced security professional, who has decades of experience and has that particular professional designation or higher. This program makes it easy to stay on-track and at the same time deepen your learning, with more (and regular) interactions with the facilitator and your peers.
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Cost Effective
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Less expensive than in-person boot camps and cost-competitive with other organizations
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Virtual and therefore do not require any travel or additional costs
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Exams are costly so make sure you pass the first time by investing into your studying
Learning Experience
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Facilitation and guidance by an experienced security professional with the equivalent or higher designations
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Frequent access to the facilitator and ability to submit questions at any time
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Small class sizes and regular discussion and interaction to deepen and reinforce learning
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Authorized, approved study group from the governing organizations
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Convenient
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Do not require time away from work or other important life commitments
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Study on your own time, according to what works for your schedule
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Weekly session (1-2 hours each) for 8-16 weeks for minimal impact on your life and maximum studying efficiency
Paced Study
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Milestone and goal setting to assist with time-management to keep you on track
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Drip-feed, synchronous learning as opposed to fire-hose type learning
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Suit a wider range of learning styles and allow for individuals to supplement their learning in individual ways as you see fit
What you will need to succeed:​
Commitment to achieving a specific professional designation including setting aside time to study and participating at weekly online study group meetings.
Check to ensure that you meet the required criteria for challenging the relevant examination.
Register for an Online Study Group
The following are the study groups we currently offer. We have specifically selected these as they are some of the most recognized and sought-after professional designations in the security profession.
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Typically the more advanced the designation, the more challenging the exam and the more time recommended to study for it. All study groups have been established with approval from each governing organization.
If you aren't sure which Study Group to register for, please review the Career Maps on the Career Planning page.
Governing Organization: ASIS
Physical Security Stream, Junior Level
Associate Protection Professional (APP)
The Associate Protection Professional (APP) designation provides the first "rung" on the security manager's career ladder. It is for those with 1-3 years of security management experience and measures the professional’s knowledge of security management fundamentals, business operations, risk management, and response management.
Visit the ASIS APP website for complete designation requirements and to obtain study material.
Physical Security Stream, Intermediate Level
Physical Security Professional (PSP)
The Physical Security Professional (PSPⓇ) credential demonstrates your knowledge in physical security assessments, application, design, and integration of physical security systems, and implementation of security measures.
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Visit the ASIS PSP website for complete designation requirements and to obtain study material.
Physical Security Stream, Advanced Level
Certified Protection Professional (CPP)
The Certified Protection Professional (CPPⓇ) is considered the “gold standard” certification for security management professionals and demonstrates your knowledge and competency in seven key domains of security. Globally recognized as the standard of excellence for security management professionals.
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Visit the ASIS CPP website for complete designation requirements and to obtain study material.
* $500 for ASIS members (with a $195 USD annual membership), and $199 USD review manual included
Governing Organization: ISC²
Cyber Security Stream, Intermediate Level
Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
SSCP certification demonstrates you have the advanced technical skills and knowledge to implement, monitor and administer IT infrastructure using security best practices, policies and procedures established by the cybersecurity experts at ISC².
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Visit the ISC² SSCP website for complete designation requirements and to obtain study material.
Cyber Security Stream, Advanced Level
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Earning the CISSP proves you have what it takes to effectively design, implement and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program. The CISSP is ideal for experienced security practitioners, managers and executives interested in proving their knowledge across a wide array of security practices and principles.
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Visit the ISC² CISSP website for complete designation requirements and to obtain study material.
Governing Organization: ISACA
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Professional Designation?
A professional designation is an accreditation "earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task" (according to Wikipedia). It is established and managed by a governing organization which determines and enforces qualifications and standards, such as education, years of experience, specific courses and exams. It denotes a level of achievement, and is often marked by post-nominal letters (letters after your name).
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How do you obtain a Professional Designation?
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Figure out where you are in your career and where you want to go, and then determine which professional designation will get you there. See Career Map for more information.
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Learn what the qualifications are for the professional designation and work on them. If there is an exam, and most do, decide how you want to study for the exam. The options are:
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Study on your own - which requires you to stay personally organized, on task and motivated. Advantages: free. Disadvantages: requires self-discipline and you may not have support if you have questions
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Study at a boot camp - which are paid study groups led by a professional member. These are typically offered in-person by the professional organization. Advantages: go through the material as a group, with the support of an expert. Disadvantages: expensive, time consuming and intensive.
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Study with a Tip of Spear Online Study Group - Slower paced study group, with more (and regular) interactions with the facilitator and your peers. The study group will be paced to help you stay on track and you can adjust or supplement your study as you see fit.
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Register for the exam through the governing organization.
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