Frequently Asked Questions

 

What are the eligibility and pre-requisite requirements for the Certified Counter-Insider Threat Professional - Fundamentals (CCITP-F)?

The requirements for the CCITP-F certification are as follows:

  • Counter-Insider Threat (C-InT) Program affiliation
  • Minimum of 6 months of experience working in/with a C-InT/Program
  • Minimum of 10 hours of Counter-Insider Threat training

These requirements will be documented in the candidate registration system and must be approved by your organization's Program Manager prior to being allowed to schedule your exam.

How is Counter-Insider Threat (C-InT) Program-Affiliated personnel or "those who work with a C-InT Program" defined?

The CCITP Program Management Office generally defines this as those personnel working at a subordinate C-InT program, or personnel within a stakeholder office who provides regular input and/or support to their organization's C-InT program on an ongoing basis.  This regular input and/or support contributes to the overall capability of the C-InT program.  These are loose definitions intended to offer flexibility to C-InT programs, as each differs greatly from another.  When in doubt, submit an application and let your Program Manager determine whether or not you meet this criteria.  

Example 1: The Army Program is located in the Pentagon.  Each Army Installation and subordinate Command has their own Insider Threat liaison.  This person would be affiliated with the Program. 
Example 2: Jane Smith is the only active Insider Threat employee at her organization.  She receives regular support and input from her contacts in the Security Office, Human Resource Office and Counterintelligence Office.  The three individuals providing routine information and support would be considered affiliated. 
Example 3: At a large intelligence organization, a supervisor has reported several tips to the Insider Threat Program Office and thinks that he should be eligible for the CCITP-F certification.  This individual is likely not considered Program affiliated. 

What are the eligibility and pre-requisite requirements for the Certified Counter-Insider Threat Professional - Analysis (CCITP-A)?

The requirements for the CCITP-A certification are as follows:

  • Currently hold the CCITP-F certification
  • C-InT Program Personnel only
  • Minimum of 12 months of experience working in/with a C-InT Program
  • Minimum of 40 hours of Analysis-related training
  • Minimum of 8 hours of UAM policy and/or tool-related training
  • Review at least 10 Case Studies

These requirements will be documented in the candidate registration system and must be approved by your organization's Program Manager prior to being allowed to schedule your exam.

Is there training to help me prepare for these exams?

While there are some C-InT courses available across the United States Government, there are no specific courses specifically tailored to help candidates pass these exams.  Candidates are encouraged to review the knowledge domains identified by Subject Matter Experts as being essential knowledge for Counter-Insider Threat.  These knowledge domains make up the CCITP-Essential Body of Knowledge (CCITP-EBK).  To view the EBK, please click here.

How do I apply for and schedule my exam?

The CCITP exams are offered at select times throughout the year, as determined by the CCITP Governance Council and Program Management Office. These windows will be advertised, and application will be allowed for approximately a one-month window, two-months prior to the testing window.  During the registration window, candidates must create an account at cint-gsx.learningbuilder.com, complete their profile and registration application.  Once submitted, Program Reviewers will approve or deny a candidate’s application based on eligibility and pre-requisite criteria mentioned above.  If individuals are approved, they will be notified by or shortly after the end of the registration period and will receive electronic communication with instructions to register with Pearson VUE to schedule their exam.  Candidates who are not allotted a seat during the test window will be notified with feedback as to why they were not selected.  If time permits and denial was due to an application error, individuals may be able to correct their application, otherwise they must wait and re-apply during the next registration window.

When will I be conferred?

Candidates who meet all of the program’s certification requirements, including meeting or exceeding the required score on the relevant exam, will be conferred in the weeks following the conclusion of each testing interval/window.

What information is provided to certificants in the conferral process?

Digital badges and printable certificates will be issued to signify the appropriate CCITP credential (CCITP-Fundamentals (CCITP-F) or CCITP-Analysis (CCITP-A)).  Information on how to access the certificant’s digital badge will be provided in the conferral email sent to the certificant.  Digital badges are tokens that appear as icons or logos on a web page or other online venue signifying accomplishments, such as conferral of a certification or mastery of a skill.  The CCITP Program Management Office will maintain a record of the digital badge with attendant metadata.  This metadata includes the issuer’s names (the USD(I&S) and the Director of NCSC), the certificant’s name and e-mail address, a link to the certification criteria, and a short description of the badge.  It will also specify other details, such as the issue date and the expiration date; the badge will expire at the end of the conferral period unless a certificant renews the certification (as described in the Maintenance sections for each CCITP certification).  Upon expiration, certificants will no longer have the ability to share their badge and the badge will no longer appear as active on the web page (the badge will appear black and white).  The CCITP Program’s digital badging partner, BadgeCert, provides additional details about how certificants can share their badges here.

When will I receive my credentials? 

Once the conferral process is completed (see previous question), you will receive an email from the CCITP Program Management Office with directions regarding how to access your printable/downloadable certificate and your digital badge.  Credentials will be conferred in the weeks following the conclusion of each testing interval/window.

How should organizations interpret and/or make use of individuals' digital badges?

Digital badges are viewable by the certificant and those to whom the certificant provides his/her unique badge URL.  The badge serves as proof that the certificant met all the requirements of conferral and reflects the certificant’s conferral status.  The CCITP Program Management Office will maintain a record of the digital badge with attendant metadata.  This metadata includes the issuer’s names (the USD(I&S) and the Director of NCSC), the certificant’s name and e-mail address, a link to the certification criteria, and a short description of the badge.  It will also specify other details, such as the issue date and the expiration date; the badge will expire at the end of the conferral period unless certificants renew the certification (as described in the Maintenance sections for each CCITP certification).  Confirmation of an individual’s conferral status will be provided to interested parties upon request, but an individual’s score will not be provided.  If an organization wishes to verify the status of an individual’s conferral, organizations should request that the certificant take action to share the badge with the appropriate recipients.

What period of time are my CCITP credentials conferred for? 

The CCITP-F certification is conferred for a period of two (2) years and the CCITP-A certification is conferred for a period of three (3) years.  Note: Candidates who hold both certifications will follow the three (3) year conferral period of CCITP-A. 

Rather than completing professional development units (PDU), can I re-test to maintain my certification? 

It is the program's policy that individuals must complete PDUs to maintain and keep their certifications current.  If individuals do not complete the maintenance requirements, the certifications expire and individuals must start over as a new candidate by registering and applying for the CCITP-F.    

I failed my most recent attempt at one of the CCITP exams, what should I do now?

The CCITP Program Management Office (CCITP PMO) recommends that all candidates who receive a failing score on any of their attempts at the CCITP exams review their exam score report and identify areas for improvement.  Once a candidate identifies areas for improvement, they should review those content areas of the CCITP-Essential Body of Knowledge (CCITP-EBK) and/or take other actions to improve that focus on those content areas1,2. 

NOTE 1: For the best testing results, the CCITP PMO recommends that candidates review the CCITP-EBK and review all topic areas on the CCITP exams before attempting or reattempting any of the CCITP exams.

NOTE 2: The CCITP PMO does not promote or endorse any specific training course or curriculum outside of the resources identified within the CCITP-EBK.

How do I identify which CCITP exam sections I should focus on prior to my next attempt? 

You will receive a score report immediately after completing an exam at the Pearson VUE testing center.  Your score report will provide your overall score in addition to a score for reporting groups 1-3.  Candidates are provided three numbers: (1) the average score of candidates who “Meets Requirement” for the overall test, (2) the average score of candidates who “Does Not Meet Requirement” for the overall test, and (3) your score.  The numbers provided are scaled scores (100 – 300) for each topic grouping.  We advise that you identify which reporting group(s) you perform lower than the “Average Score of Candidates who “Meet Requirements”  and focus on those reporting groups to study prior to your next attempt.  Additionally, as there is no Performance Threshold for each topic area, it is advisable that candidates consider pursuing improvements in all areas, as increased performance on any reporting group will benefit candidates.

What materials are available to help improve my exam score prior to my next attempt?

While there are widely available C-InT courses for candidates, there are no courses specifically tailored/designed to help candidates pass these exams. Candidates are encouraged to review the knowledge domains identified by Subject Matter Experts as being essential knowledge for C-InT.  These knowledge domains make up the CCITP-Essential Body of Knowledge (CCITP-EBK).  To view the CCITP-EBK, please click here.

If I have other questions not answered on this website, whom should I contact?

Further detailed information is available on this website and organized according to intended audience: candidate, certificant and organization/leadership.  If you cannot find answers to your questions elsewhere on this page, please direct your questions or concerns to the CCITP Program Management Office via email (osd.cint-certification@mail.mil​).