9/7/2005 -- This week the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, (ISC)2, announced the launch of a new security certification developed in conjunction with the U.S. Department of State.

The new Certification and Accreditation Professional (CAPCM) title was created in response to requirements detailed under the U.S. Federal Information Security Management Act regarding certification and accreditation, the organization said. It is designed to certify a candidate's skill in assessing the risks and security requirements of information systems, covering topics such as information assurance and risk management, information security policy and National Institute of Standards and Technology documentation.

According to (ISC)2, 40 federal employees passed earned the title in July. It will be opened to the public in "late September."

To earn the title, candidates are required to pass the title's one exam, known as the CAP exam, as well as have two years direct experience in the area of systems certification and accreditation and sign the (ISC)2's code of ethics.

"Our U.S. Government Advisory Board reviewed this issue and agreed that the certification and assessment area has now become a mission-critical function for the security of government operations," Rolf Moulton, interim president and CEO of (ISC)2, said in a released statement. "We felt the time was right for (ISC)2 to develop a credential to support it."

(ISC)2 offers several security-related certifications, including its flagship Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) title, a six-hour exam that covers 10 areas of information systems security theory.

For more information on this new title, go here. -Becky Nagel