Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)
Dear Valued Member,

I am pleased to inform you that (ISC)2 launched a brand new certification program designed to validate secure software development practices and expertise and address the increasing number of application vulnerabilities. The need for education and certification in this area has become an overwhelming global concern in the industry and as a certifying body and proponent of continuing professional education we were presented the opportunity to provide a solution to address the issue.

The Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) aims to stem the proliferation of security vulnerabilities resulting from insufficient development processes by establishing best practices and validating an individual's competency in addressing security issues throughout the software lifecycle (SLC). It takes a holistic approach to software security. Code-language neutral, it will be applicable to anyone involved in the SLC, including analysts, developers, software engineers, software architects, project managers, software quality assurance testers and programmers. CSSLP is the only certification in the industry that ensures that security is considered throughout the entire software lifecycle.

Subject areas covered by the CSSLP include the software lifecycle, vulnerabilities, risk, information security fundamentals and compliance. Candidates must demonstrate four years of professional experience in the SLC process or three years experience and a bachelor's degree (or regional equivalent) in an IT discipline.

The seven domains of the CSSLP CBK are:

Secure Software Concepts
Secure Software Requirements
Secure Software Design
Secure Software Implementation/Coding
Software Acceptance
Software Deployment, Operations, Maintenance and Disposal

Currently, (ISC)2 is seeking qualified professionals who meet experience and other requirements to participate in the assessment.
For more information and to register for the Open CSSLP Experience Assessment, visit www.isc2.org/csslp. You could become one of the first CSSLP holders and be asked to contribute to the exam development process and assist in other program development tasks.

Applications for the CSSLP Open Experience Assessment will be accepted from September 25, 2008 (EST) through March 31, 2009, with the first education seminars slated for Q2 2009 and first exam administration June 2009.

A wide range of respected organizations have expressed their support for the CSSLP, including: Microsoft, Symantec, DSCI (NASSCOM), SANS, SRS International, Software Assurance Forum for Excellence in Code (SAFECode), Cisco, Xerox, SAIC, ISSA, and Frost & Sullivan.

Sincerely,

W. Hord Tipton CISSP-ISSEP, CAP, CISA
Executive Director (ISC)2