AFCEA Helps Maintain Cybersecurity Certifications and Membership Matters

Since its start in 2012, AFCEA’s Continuing Education (CE) program has grown by expanding to more events at both the international and chapter levels and by increasing the number of certifications supported. The program is primarily intended to support the maintenance of cybersecurity certifications related to DoD 8570.01-M compliance and may also support ISC2, National Contract Management Association (NCMA), Project Management Institute (PMI), Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) and Defense Acquisition Workforce continuing education and/or certification maintenance requirements.

Certifying organizations, CompTIA, GIAC and CertNexus review many AFCEA International and chapter event descriptions to identify which sessions support their requirements. Keynote speaker presentations, panel discussions, classes, and most recently, webinars on many topics have been approved for continuing education. To identify which events support continuing education, go to https://www.afcea.org/site/Events for lists of upcoming and past events with approved sessions. Many events since early 2020 have had virtual components that are available on demand.

AFCEA’s CE program includes sessions approved for CompTIA CEUs for A+, Network+, Security+, Linux+, Cloud+, PenTest+, CySA+ and CASP, GIACCPEs and CertNexus CEC for CyberSecurity First Responder (CFR).

Many cybersecurity certification requirements apply not only to government and military but also to industry members supporting government information technology requirements. In addition, many companies reward the achievement of valued certifications with either a salary increase or bonus. In the case of government and military employees, their certification preparation and examination costs are often covered. In any case, it is certainly preferable to maintain those certifications rather than be required to complete the certification process again.

SIGNAL webinars (https://www.afcea.org/site/online-events) have become a fast-growing part of the continuing education program. The webinars are especially convenient since they can be viewed on demand. For online events and webinars, attendees can prepare attendance documentation using tips at the following link: https://www.afcea.org/site/?q=CE-FAQ.

Membership Matters!

A valuable AFCEA member benefit is formal attendance documentation for many approved in-person event sessions. The documentation sent by email after events has been coordinated to meet the requirements of CompTIA, GIAC and CertNexus. At some AFCEA International events, attendees can purchase a continuing education pass to qualify for the formal attendance documentation that current AFCEA members receive as a member benefit. Be sure to join or renew before attending AFCEA events supporting continuing education documentation to qualify for complimentary formal attendance documentation.