The NCSC announces the forthcoming closure of the CCP scheme
Updated 22 June 2023:
Closure date for scheme revised to 30 September 2023.
The UK Cyber Security Council (UKCSC) took over stewardship of the NCSC’s Certified Cyber Professional (CCP) assured service in 2022, as one of the steps on its journey towards the creation of a new professional standard for cyber security and its long-term goals for individual specialisms within it.
It is the UKCSC’s mission to ensure and maintain the UK’s global leadership in the cyber industry, through the development of this series of professional standards. This is not just about defining standards: the Council are ensuring that our cyber security practitioners receive the recognition they richly deserve – be it through Associate, Principal or Chartered status, in parity with other chartered professions. They are also ensuring that businesses can make the best, informed decisions when it comes to their cyber recruitment and provision under the new scheme.
The Chartership title has now been piloted for the Governance and Risk Management, and Secure System Architecture and Design specialisms. As a result, we will now be closing the CCP scheme, in preparation for the launch of the Council’s Chartership Title Specialisms.
When will CCP close?
New applications to the scheme will end on 30 September 2023.
What does this mean for organisations?
Those organisations who have adopted CCP as part of their career development and recruitment processes should now take steps to review the procedures and update them to reflect the new UK Cyber Security Council Chartership Titles as they become available. The same requirement is applicable to UK Government contracts.
What does this mean for individuals?
For those individuals who do apply and pay fees by this date, they will still be able to undertake a maximum of two attempts at their case study requirement (should a second attempt be required) but it should be noted that the latest expiry date for certifications will be 31 December 2026. There will be no extensions to certification beyond this date. CCP certifications will continue to be recognised until the last ones through the scheme expire in December 2026.
The journey from CCP to Chartership: a timeline
- 30 September 2023 - CCP applications close
- CCP remains valid until all expired (latest expiration: 31 December 2026)
- October 2023 - Chartership titles launched
Both the NCSC and the UKCSC are working together to ensure that these new standards meet not only the requirements of the UK’s Cyber Security Strategy but also to ensure the longevity of these new awards, as a benchmark of excellence, as the cyber security profession continues to evolve.
Any questions?
We hope this clarifies how and why this scheme is closing, and how it represents an exciting new time in the development of the cyber security profession, and the establishment of professional standards under the auspices of the UK Cyber Security Council. Should you have any questions about this process, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team by emailing [email protected]
