In August, we shared the news that the UK Cyber Security Council has appointed IASME as a new Licensed Body, supporting the Council’s work to strengthen and professionalise the UK’s cyber security sector. As a Licensed Body, IASME is one of a number of organisations licensed to assess applicants for the UK Cyber Security Council’s professional titles. We’re pleased to share that applications are now open to apply for a professional title through IASME.
What is the UK Cyber Security Council?
The UK Cyber Security Council (UKCSC) is the professional body for the UK cyber security sector. Established by Royal Charter, the Council sets a unified framework of professional and ethical standards, awards professional cyber security titles and maintains the UK Cyber Security Professional Register.
The Council offers four professional titles:
- Associate (ACSP)
- Practitioner (PraCSP)
- Principal (PriCSP)
- Chartered (ChCSP)
Together, these provide a structured pathway for career development—from the start of an individual’s career through to the highest levels of professional recognition.
The Council also runs the Cyber Access Network, a free-to-join community offering networking opportunities, webinars, insights and curated resources for people starting or developing a career in cyber security.
What does a Licensed Body do?
Licensed Bodies are organisations authorised by the UK Cyber Security Council to assess applicants for professional cyber security titles.
As a Licensed Body, IASME will assess cyber security professionals against the UK Cyber Security Standard of Professional Competence and Commitment. We then make recommendations to the UKCSC on whether an applicant should be awarded a professional title.
Licensed Bodies play a vital role in the Council’s professionalisation framework—supporting rigorous, consistent assessment across a broad range of roles and specialisms.
Why professional titles matter
As the threat landscape evolves at pace, the UK needs a workforce that is not only skilled, but also operating to clear, unified standards of competence, commitment and ethics.
To be awarded a professional title, applicants must demonstrate they meet the competency requirements for the level and specialism they are applying for—and commit to the UKCSC’s code of professional ethics.
The professional titles and specialisms we’ll assess initially
IASME will initially assess applicants for:
- Principal Cyber Security Professional (PriCSP)
- Chartered Cyber Security Professional (ChCSP)
…in the following specialisms:
- Cyber Security Governance & Risk Management
- Secure System Architecture & Design
We plan to expand the routes we offer over time.
Giles Grant, CEO of the UK Cyber Security Council, said:
“We are delighted to welcome IASME as a Licensed Body. Their established expertise in cyber security assurance and assessment will bring valuable support to our professionalisation framework. This partnership ensures a continued level of high quality and rigorous assessment for our cyber security professional titles. As the global threat landscape continues to evolve at pace, it is vital that the UK develops a trusted, professionalised and empowered cyber workforce, operating to clear, unified standards of competence, commitment and ethics. We look forward to working with IASME to further this mission and to champion and develop professional registration across the sector.”
Emma Philpott MBE, CEO of IASME, said:
“We are really excited to become a UKCSC licensed body! The sector needs many more assured professionals and having a choice of several licensed bodies will allow individuals to choose the route that best suits them, while maintaining the high level of assurance quality.”
Next steps for applicants
Visit our IASME Licensed Body webpage to explore the professional titles and specialisms available, understand the assessment process and fees, and access guidance and resources to help you prepare—including the UKCSC Standard for Professional Competence and Commitment. You can also apply for an assessment online.