InfoSec Skills Partners with Global Certification Institute (GCI) to Distribute BCS Security Courses and Exams in Australia

London, United Kingdom, September 06, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Accredited by the British Computer Society (BCS), The Chartered Institute for IT the new InfoSec Skills e-learning courses are the first IA courses of their kind to prepare students for the BCS Professional Certificate exams.

Australian examination services provider, Global Certifications Institute (GCI) is expanding its portfolio of certifications by introducing a range of new Information Assurance (IA) examinations that will be bundled with online training courses to facilitate their introduction to its network of Accredited Training Organisations (ATOs) in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to Peter Cross, Managing Director of GCI, information assurance is emerging as a major new focus for public and private organisations while there are very few people locally who have the relevant skills to embrace the concept, which has become popular in Europe, Middle East and USA. The bundling of these new on-line courses and examinations will enable ATOs to quickly respond to a looming skills shortage in the application of IA concepts while they develop their capability to deliver instructor led and face-to-face learning experiences.

“IA is a risk-based approach to protection of the integrity, availability, authenticity, non-repudiation and confidentiality of user data,” Cross said. “IA methodologies use process driven physical, technical and administrative controls to complement existing information security programs which, to date, have largely been driven from a technological perspective.

“GCI is managing distribution of the IA examinations and high quality courseware from InfoSec Skills to our network of ATOs and tertiary education institutions in the region as a value-add to the broad range of examination services we provide.

“They will assist and support prospective candidates preparing for their exams and help generate skills in an area of business IT that is currently emerging as a major focus and for which there are limited suitably trained local personnel.”
Cross said the InfoSec Skills certification programs now available to Australian and Asia-Pacific ATOs have been used extensively in the UK over recent years and global demand for the courses is booming.

“We are really proud to be partnering with InfoSec Skills to manage these valuable new certification programs in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region,” Cross said. “InfoSec’s certification programs represent world’s best training in the increasingly critical areas of IT security management.

“We have seen the growth of demand for Information Assurance training overseas and offer the chance for local ATOs embrace this largely new initiative to bundle e-learning courseware with exams. It will enable ATOs to very quickly generate additional income and to effectively test the level of interest in the marketplace before introducing classroom training courses.”

“By bundling this new e-learning courseware and exams to existing offerings, Australian accredited training organisations can very quickly generate additional income and effectively test the level of interest in the marketplace before introducing classroom training courses.”

Meanwhile, the IA courses offer great opportunity for training organisations and tertiary education institutions to differentiate themselves in a highly competitive market place by offering relevant courses and professional certificate exams to candidates.

“There is now the possibility for graduate students to not only leave university with a Masters Degree in Information Security but also with their first industry recognised professional qualification,” Cross said. “This sets the students apart from others when it comes to securing their first job in the industry.

“There is a huge demand in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region for skills development in the areas of Information Security Management, Business Continuity Management and Information Risk Management.

“Major employers are demanding that school leavers, apprentices, college graduates and university graduates are taught relevant skills that are needed in the industry today. This partnership with InfoSec Skills is ensuring that GCI’ training networks can supply courseware and certification services that meet current demand for practical skills and not just theory.”

Terry Neal, CEO of InfoSec Skills said he is thrilled to be expanding the company’s client portfolio to include GCI in the Asia Pacific region.

“This strategic partnership allows us to deliver our world-class training to markets that are currently out of our reach,” Neal said. “With InfoSec Skills supporting local IT training experts to deliver professional training, leading to industry recognised professional qualifications, and GCI’s long term proven expertise in delivering the BCS exams, this is a perfect fit strategically that provides a win-win situation for all stakeholders.”