DOD approves new credentials for security professionals

By Kathleen Hickey
Defense Systems
Nov 05, 2009

The Defense Department has approved new credentials for information security professionals. The directive is expected to result in more than 100,000 personnel obtaining professional credentials.

DOD approved the (ISC) 2 Certification and Accreditation Professional (CAP), which requires that all DOD information assurance workers obtain a professional certification accredited under the global ANSI/ISO/IEC Standard 17024.

CAP certifies that the holder has in-depth knowledge of Certification and Accreditation, a formalized process for assessing IS risks and security requirements and ensuring that the systems have adequate security in place.

DOD and the National Institute of Standards and Technology are jointly trying to create a single C&A process across the government. CAP is undergoing changes to comply with the new C&A requirements, which go into effect March 2010.