This follows the launch of Exin Secure Programming exams unveiled last December, a programme also developed in joint cooperation with Security Academy. This exam covers the principles of how to design secure software. It provides trained programmers the confirmation that they are able, also early on in the design phase to design software that is less vulnerable to Cyber-attacks in the first place. With an Exin Secure Programming certification, software development professionals are internationally recognised as having the competences required to develop secure (web) applications.

"Cyber security incidents are happening every day, every hour, every second. McAfee estimates that the likely annual cost to the global economy from cybercrime alone is more than US$400 billion in 2014, and that number is rising. Exin sees a high demand for quality cyber security certifications in the IT market,” says Bernd Taselaar, CEO of Exin. “I am therefore very happy to partner with the leading Security Academy to develop a full portfolio of security certifications, thus enabling professionals to fight cyber threats professionally. Also, the importance of the e-Competence Framework (e-CF) is endorsed by both Exin and Security Academy. All the new Exin cybersecurity certifications, Ethical Hacking and Secure Programming included, will be based on the eCF principles. With the eCF standard the IT profession is further professionalised”.

The first new exam in this framework is the Exin Ethical Hacking Foundation certification. It will cover the knowledge required to search for weaknesses and vulnerabilities in software and systems using the same methods as a hacker, so that these vulnerabilities can be fixed before release.

The exam will be followed by a Practitioner level and an Expert level exam. Certification in this area of knowledge provides IT professionals confirmation that they possess an expert knowledge level in the field of hacking related security measures. For corporate and SME organisations, the Exin Ethical Hacking certification ensures that their systems and software are more resilient to Cyber-attacks.

“This comprehensive set of security training and independent certification is in line with our vision as experienced security trainer: practical, job-oriented, quality-oriented,” adds Vincent Jentjens, CEO of Security Academy.

With the global release of this new exam programme, Exin and Security Academy strengthen their partnership in continuous development in the field of Security and Cyber Programmes.