ISC2 Pledge: Certified in Cybersecurity
ISC2 is committed to closing the cybersecurity skills and talent gap in the European Union. As part of ISC2’s One Million Certified in Cybersecurity program, we pledge to provide FREE ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) courses and exams to 30,000 individuals across the EU by 31 August 2026, alongside scholarships dedicated for women.
Our pledge
Cybersecurity skills are the backbone of Europe’s digital economy. We aim to upskill and reskill 30,000 aspiring and early-career cybersecurity professionals in the EU. ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity opens doors to cyber careers and strengthens the cybersecurity workforce throughout Europe. By offering free education and certification exam opportunities, ISC2 is removing entry barriers and expanding access to the profession for a diverse range of individuals.To further this commitment, we are introducing 25 'Pathway to Certification' scholarships exclusively for women, ensuring they advance beyond entry-level roles.
Tara Wisniewski, EVP, Advocacy, Global Markets and Member Engagement
Our Initiatives
30,000 FREE ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity Training and Exams
Description: Upon registering as an ISC2 Candidate, you will receive free access to CC training and an exam with ISC2’s One Million in Cybersecurity initiative. This will provide access to the ISC2 CC online self-paced course, covering fundamental cybersecurity concepts such as: Security Principles; Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery; Incident Response Concepts; Access Controls Concepts; Network Security; Security Operations.
The exam will evaluate your foundational knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for entry-level cybersecurity roles.
Target audience: 30,000 University students & recent graduates, professionals seeking employment or career changers, anyone looking to expand their digital skills and cybersecurity knowledge.
Location: Online -Self-paced
Languages: English, German, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese
Cost: Free
Pathway to Certification Scholarships for Advancing Women in Cybersecurity
Description: ISC2, in partnership with the Center for Cyber Safety & Education, is proud to offer 25 "Pathway to Certification" scholarships. These scholarships are designed exclusively for women, to support career progression toward achieving the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) or Certified in Governance, Risk and Compliance (CGRC) certifications.
Applications will open in June 2026, with awards granted by September 2026.
Jobs that use SSCP certification include: Network Security Engineer; IT/Systems/Network Administrator; Security Analyst; Systems/Network Engineer/Analyst; Security Consultant/Specialist; Security Administrator; Database Administrator; Individuals operating in a security operations center (SOC) environment.
Jobs that use CGRC certification include: Authorizing Official; Cyber GRC Manager; Cybersecurity Auditor/Assessor; Cybersecurity Compliance Officer; Cybersecurity/GRC Architect; GRC IT Manager; GRC Manager; Cybersecurity Risk & Compliance Project Manager; Cybersecurity Risk & Controls Analyst; Cybersecurity Third Party Risk Manager; Enterprise Risk Manager; GRC Analyst; GRC Director; GRC Security Analyst; System Security Manager/Officer; Information Assurance Manager; Cybersecurity Consultant.
Target audience: These scholarships are made available exclusively for women who are residents of one of the 27 EU Member States and successfully complete the CC training and pass the exam between 01/09/2024 and 31/08/2026
Location: Online
Language: English
Cost: Free
ISC2 is dedicated to tracking and reporting on the progress of this pledge every six months.
Take a look at ISC2's previous pledge - an inspirational example of impactful contributions!
