May 3rd, 2024 -  Alexandria, VA – The Federal IT Security Institute (FITSI), a leader in certifying federal IT security professionals, today announced updates to the Federal IT Security Professional (FITSP) certification program. These updates, effective June 1, 2024, include changes to domain concentrations and a revised recertification cycle, stemming from comprehensive findings in the FITSI Job Analysis Report 2023.

Updated Domain Concentrations:

To ensure that the FITSP certifications continue to meet the dynamic demands of federal IT security roles, adjustments have been made to the domain weightings within the certification exams. These changes ensure that the exams more accurately reflect current priorities and challenges facing IT security professionals in federal environments.

Revised Recertification Cycle:

The recertification cycle for all next-generation (NG) FITSP certifications will transition from a six-year cycle to a three-year cycle. This change allows FITSI to maintain pace with the rapid advancements in technology and federal IT security standards, ensuring that certified professionals possess up-to-date knowledge and skills.

Rationale Behind the Changes:

The modifications to the FITSP certification program are based on the insights garnered from the FITSI Job Analysis Report 2023, a detailed study involving over 25 Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). This report indicated the necessity for more frequent updates to professional certifications to align with the fast-evolving federal IT landscape.

Future Implications:

"These changes signify our commitment to the continuous enhancement of the certification programs, ensuring they remain relevant and rigorous amidst the ever-evolving federal IT security challenges," said Jim Wiggins, CEO of FITSI. "Our certified professionals are better equipped to address and mitigate current and emerging security threats effectively."

For existing certification holders affected by these changes, FITSI will provide detailed instructions to ensure a smooth transition to the new recertification cycle.

All professionals planning to certify or recertify are encouraged to review the revised FITSP Certification Candidate Handbook, available at https://www.fitsi.org/fitsidocuments.html, for detailed information on the changes and how they apply.

About FITSI:

The Federal IT Security Institute (FITSI) is a non-profit organization based in Alexandria, VA, that provides a certification scheme for the federal IT security workforce. FITSI administers the FITSP certification program, which includes role-based certifications tailored to the specific needs of federal IT security professionals. FITSI's mission is to secure the nation's federal information systems by certifying federal workforce members can apply appropriate federal IT security standards.