Who is ISC2?
ISC2 (International Information System Security Certification Consortium) is a nonprofit membership association that develops and administers professional certifications and education programs for cybersecurity practitioners and security-focused IT personnel.
- Vendor-neutral cybersecurity certifications for individuals working in information security and related IT functions
- Formal training and exam preparation services for ISC2 certification candidates
- Continuing professional education programs for maintaining cybersecurity certifications
- Membership community, professional development resources, and codes of ethics for security practitioners
- Research, policy commentary, and workforce studies focused on cybersecurity skills and practices
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More About ISC2
ISC2 operates as a global professional association with a core focus on certifying cybersecurity and information security personnel across enterprises, government agencies, and other institutions. Its certifications are positioned as vendor-neutral credentials that validate knowledge of security principles, architectures, and operational practices rather than proficiency with a specific commercial product. Enterprise security leaders and HR departments commonly use these certifications as role requirements or screening criteria for security engineers, security architects, security analysts, and related roles.
The organization maintains a structured body of knowledge for its certifications, which maps to domains such as security and risk management, asset security, security engineering, communications and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, and Security Operations (SecOps). These domains align with widely referenced security frameworks and control families, including areas comparable to those in ISO/IEC 27001 (information security management), NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and NIST SP 800-series guidance. ISC2 content also addresses core protocols and technologies commonly present in enterprise environments, such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) networking, VPNs, authentication and authorization mechanisms, cryptographic controls, and secure software development practices.
ISC2’s training and preparation offerings support both individual practitioners and organizational training programs. For enterprises, ISC2 courses and official training materials can be used to structure role-based security learning paths, align staff development with certification goals, and document efforts toward compliance and audit readiness. The association also provides continuing professional education mechanisms, enabling members and credential holders to maintain certification status through ongoing learning, conference participation, and other verified activities, which enterprises often record as part of their security competence and governance processes.
Beyond certifications and training, ISC2 positions itself as a contributor to cybersecurity workforce development and policy discussions. It publishes research and surveys on cybersecurity skills gaps, workforce demographics, and organizational security practices. These outputs are frequently used by security management, human resources, and risk officers to benchmark staffing models and understand constraints in hiring and retaining qualified personnel. ISC2’s membership structure, including codes of ethics and professional conduct requirements, is intended to support consistent behavior standards across security practitioners working with sensitive systems and data in enterprise and public-sector contexts.
Within a directory or marketplace taxonomy, ISC2 aligns most directly with categories such as cybersecurity professional certifications, security training and education (security awareness and professional upskilling), and security workforce and skills development. Its offerings intersect with enterprise security architecture, Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) programs by providing a recognized framework for validating the capabilities of internal security staff and third-party service providers who hold ISC2 credentials.
Our description of ISC2. Updated December 2025.
