The ECC is an initiative of USAID’s BEACON Project in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to help increase the number cybersecurity professionals in the Philippines. The ECC initiative aims to encourage interest in pursuing the field of cybersecurity by promoting (ISC)² Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) and providing continuing development programs to participants.

The ECC is completely FREE. It includes training and a certification exam sponsored by (ISC)².

 The Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) is a foundational cybersecurity certification designed to help recipients build a pathway to a rewarding career in cybersecurity. It was developed by International Information System Security Certification Consortium or (ISC)², an international, nonprofit membership association for information security professionals with over 168,000 certified members worldwide. 

This certification will prove an individual’s foundational knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for an entry-level cybersecurity role.

The ECC is open to all Filipinos, but with a particular emphasis on government employees, from national to regional and local government agencies and offices. There are no cybersecurity background, experience, or specific job role requirements. The ECC is recommended for those who wish to start, or switch careers to cybersecurity.

We envision a diverse and inclusive cybersecurity workforce. Women, persons with disabilities (PWD) and with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics (SOGIESC), and minorities are encouraged to join and register.

Step 1: Register with USAID's BEACON

While not necessarily a requirement to be Certified in Cybersecurity, registering with USAID's BEACON provides the participant with the following additional benefits:

• Being included in the roster for potential inclusion to sponsored cybersecurity trainings and certifications in the next four (4) years.

• Awareness of cybersecurity events and conferences for professional development. 

Government employees are encouraged to register with their work-related official email accounts for inclusion in future training directed only towards government employees. 

Registration opens February 2023.  Click "Register Here" (below).

Step 2: Register with (ISC)2

Participant must register with (ISC)2 to gain access to the full official self-paced training course and exam voucher. (Link will be provided after registration with BEACON / completing Step 1). (ISC)2 registration guide available here.

Step 3: Completion and Submission

1. Participant must complete the Certified in Cybersecurity Training Course.

2. Participant must download the Course Completion Certificate from (ISC)2 training portal.

3. Participant must email the Course Completion Certificate to USAID's BEACON following the guidelines below:

Submission Guidelines:

1. Format: PDF or JPEG only

2. Subject: "Course Completion Certificate"

3. Send to: cybersecurity@beaconactivity.ph

4. Email content: <Full name>, <full agency name>
   e.g.: Jose Mariano Dela Cruz, Department of Transportation

Notes:

• Participant will receive a Recognition of Training Completion certificate signed by USAID’s BEACON and DICT. (for government employees)

• To earn the Official Certified in Cybersecurity Certificate, participant should take the corresponding FREE exam. Once earned, repeat step 3 to send a copy of the Certificate to USAID's BEACON with the email subject: "Certified in Cybersecurity"

• The course completion certificates for individuals who have submitted are currently being finalized by USAID's BEACON and DICT. We will be sending them out individually via email soon. (Note: USAID’s BEACON and DICT certificates are available only for government employees).

The participant agrees to the following terms and conditions:

1. Having registered with USAID’s BEACON, participant shall complete the full sign-up and candidate application process with (ISC)².

2. Complete the full program and acquire the official Course Completion Certificate within the allotted time.

3. Submit the Course Completion Certificate to USAID’s BEACON

4. USAID’s BEACON reserves the right to change/modify the initiative without prior notification.

The participant is further encouraged to:

1. Register and pass the official Certification exam to obtain the Official (ISC)² Certified in Cybersecurity Certificate.

2. Pursue a career and further training and certifications in cybersecurity.

3. Support the improvement and strengthening of cybersecurity capability and capacity of the Philippines.

4. Utilize newly acquired knowledge and skills to lead, create, and support cybersecurity improvement project(s) or initiative(s) within the national or local government.

5. Give back to community by sharing knowledge, participating in cybersecurity activities, independently as a security professional, as employee of the government or as resource in USAID’s BEACON Activity activities.

6. Conduct knowledge transfer/echo training/s within the national, regional, or local government.