Unlock your potential with an IBITGQ certification
The concept of continuing professional development (CPD) dates back to the decades after the Second World War, when institutional bodies identified a need for structured formal learning following a tertiary qualification and work experience.
The perception was that people would initiate independent complementary learning to develop their credentials and enhance their knowledge and skill set, making them more marketable. However, due to a rapidly evolving business environment, the demand for certified professionals has increased within the private, public and third sectors, which has led to the development of professional certifications.
The purpose of professional certifications, like those offered and developed by the International Board for IT Governance Qualifications (IBITGQ), is not to replace formal certificates earned from tertiary educational institutions, but to complement existing learning, direct people’s pathways to specialised domains and certify individuals to recognisable international standards.
IBITGQ is a personnel certification body established in April 2011. It has certified more than 13,000 professionals in the fields of IT governance, information security, cyber security, risk management and compliance. Those who have achieved certifications from IBITGQ have gained the status of information or cyber security leader, or are otherwise on the path to such an acknowledgment.
Before describing the value of IBITGQ as a certification body, consider the processes and benefits of professional certifications. Achieving a professional certification provides evidence that a person can think critically, and apply knowledge learned through either experience or attending a course to make informed decisions that will directly affect the sustainability of an organisation. Research also shows that people who have earned professional certifications have higher earning potential, particularly in specialised fields such as information and cyber security.
Professional certifications can be achieved by attending courses offered by an accredited training organisation (ATO) that has qualified to conduct the training on behalf of the certification body. After training is complete, the learner must take an examination set by a certification body. However, if the person has sufficient knowledge of the subject, they may choose to complete the examination without taking a training course.
IBITGQ operates in a similar fashion: certification examinations can be purchased through ATOs or included in a bundle offered by an ATO. IBITGQ focuses on certification within the sectors of IT governance, cyber security, information security, data protection and privacy, and related disciplines.
Why choose IBITGQ as a certification body?
Certification leader: Leadership within the certification sector has been claimed by many certification bodies. However, only IBITGQ can claim to have been the first to develop and implement essential information security certifications such as ISO 27001:2022 ISMS qualifications. These were first-to-market certifications developed by information and cyber security subject matter experts (SMEs). IBITGQ continues to introduce first-to-market certifications to support compliance with new laws and regulations, and to meet specific demands within the market.
Global standards: IBITGQ certifications are internationally recognised to global information and cyber security standards, specifically that of ISO/IEC 17024:2012. IBITGQ is ISO/IEC 17024:2012 accredited by the International Accreditation Service (IAS). The scope of this accreditation covers the Certified ISO 27001 ISMS Lead Implementer and Certified ISO 27001 ISMS Lead Auditor certification schemes.
Improved practical skills: The courseware developed from IBITGQ syllabi aims to provide practical pathways, earning the title ‘The Practitioner’s Certification’. Achieving an IBITGQ certification asserts a person’s abilities to apply the practical and theoretical components of the syllabi to real-world scenarios.
Increased knowledge: The courseware developed from IBITGQ syllabi is weighted to include the theoretical components needed to make informed decisions as an information and cyber security professional or leader. IBITGQ places a high value on the principles that form the basis of practical application.
Specialised certifications: IBITGQ certification syllabi are developed with practical and theoretical components of risk mitigation, protection, compliance, threat identification and vulnerability assessments specific to the sectors of information and cyber security, IT governance, and data protection. IBITGQ’s focus on specific domains of knowledge rather than broader concepts is evidence that certifications are systematically developed with the highest attention to detail and information.
Career advancement: Achieving an IBITGQ certification validates that a person is or on the path to becoming a trusted information and cyber security professional. It provides evidence of professional growth and a willingness to learn and expand skills, resulting in higher marketability as a candidate for higher-earning positions.
Network expansion: IBITGQ has certified more than 13,000 professionals. Earning a certification from IBITGQ opens the doors to like-minded professionals, industry leaders and SMEs, providing a platform for knowledge and information sharing.
Quality: IBITGQ certifications are developed by leaders and SMEs in the fields of IT governance, cyber security, information security, and data privacy and protection, and the syllabi are accredited to the highest international standards.
By achieving an IBITGQ certification, a person substantiates their abilities to understand and perform tasks that will ensure the protection of their organisation, their contribution to a safer business environment and their continuing professional development.