List of Cybersecurity Associations
Interested in joining a cybersecurity association? There are lots to choose from. Some cybersecurity associations are public, while others are so private you won’t find them on Google. The following list is a customized version of the list created by Cybersecurity Ventures. I have removed some associations that were specific to certain countries and have added additional associations that were not included in their list. These are publicly known associations that you can join. Some associations are famous for their certifications, such as (ISC)2 for its CISSP certification. Others, such as National Cyber Security Alliance, are dedicated to educating public and raising security awareness so everyone can use the Internet safely and securely at home, work, and school.
| Cybersecurity Association | Description | |
| 1 | (ISC)2 – International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium | Headquartered in the United States and with offices in London, Hong Kong and Tokyo, the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc., (ISC)²®, is the global, not-for-profit leader in educating and certifying information security professionals throughout their careers. Its recognized for Gold Standard certifications and world class education programs. |
| 2 | The SANS Institute | SANS is the most trusted and by far the largest source for information security training and security certification in the world. It also develops, maintains, and makes available at no cost, the largest collection of research documents about various aspects of information security, and it operates the Internet’s early warning system – the Internet Storm Center. |
| 3 | OWASP – The Open Web Application Security Project | The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) is a 501(c)(3) worldwide not-for-profit charitable organization focused on improving the security of software. Their mission is to make software security visible, so that individuals and organizations worldwide can make informed decisions about true software security risks. |
| 4 | ISSA – Information Systems Security Association | Developing and Connecting Cybersecurity Leaders Globally – ISSA is the community of choice for international cybersecurity professionals dedicated to advancing individual growth, managing technology risk and protecting critical information and infrastructure. |
| 5 | FIRST – Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams | FIRST is the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams. The idea of FIRST goes back until 1989, only one year after the CERT(r) Coordination Center was created after the infamous Internet worm. Back then incidents already were impacting not only one closed user group or organization, but any number of networks interconnected by the Internet. |
| 6 | Center for Internet Security | The Center for Internet Security, Inc. (CIS) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization focused on enhancing the cyber security readiness and response of public and private sector entities, with a commitment to excellence through collaboration. CIS provides resources that help partners achieve security goals through expert guidance and cost-effective solutions. |
| 7 | ISF – Information Security Forum | The ISF is the world’s leading authority on information risk management. A not-for-profit organization, it supplies authoritative opinion and guidance on all aspects of information security. ISF delivers practical solutions to overcome the wide-ranging security challenges that impact business information today. |
| 8 | National Association of ISACs | The mission of the National Council of ISACs (NCI) is to advance the physical and cyber security of the critical infrastructures of North America by establishing and maintaining a framework for valuable interaction between and among the ISACs and with government. Members of the Council are the individual Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISAC) that represent their respective sectors. |
| 9 | Internet Security Alliance | ISA was founded in 2000 in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University. ISA membership is open to public and privately held entities and currently has substantial participation from the aviation, banking, communications, defense, education, financial services, health care, insurance, manufacturing, security and technology industries. |
| 10 | IAPP – International Association of Privacy Professionals | The IAPP is the largest and most comprehensive global information privacy community and resource. Founded in 2000, the IAPP is a not-for-profit organization that helps define, support and improve the privacy profession globally. |
| 11 | ISACA | As an independent, nonprofit, global association, ISACA engages in the development, adoption and use of globally accepted, industry-leading knowledge and practices for information systems. Previously known as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, ISACA now goes by its acronym only, to reflect the broad range of IT governance professionals it serves. |
| 12 | National Cyber Security Alliance | NCSA’s mission is to educate and therefore empower a digital society to use the Internet safely and securely at home, work, and school, protecting the technology individuals use, the networks they connect to, and our shared digital assets. |
| 13 | FISSEA – Federal Information Systems Security Educators’ Association | The Federal Information Systems Security Educators’ Association (FISSEA), founded in 1987, is an organization run by and for information systems security professionals to assist federal agencies in meeting their information systems security awareness, training, education, and certification responsibilities. |
| 14 | AEHIS – The Association for Executives in Healthcare Information Security | The Association for Executives in Healthcare Information Security (AEHIS) launched in 2014 as the first professional organization serving healthcare’s senior IT security leaders. AEHIS offers CSO’s and other top-ranking information security leaders the professional development and networking opportunities critical for their success. Members have access to the educational resources and support for addressing key industry specific privacy and security issues. |
| 15 | International Association for Cryptologic Research | The International Association for Cryptologic Research (IACR) is a non-profit scientific organization whose purpose is to further research in cryptology and related fields. Cryptology is the science and practice of designing computation and communication systems which are secure in the presence of adversaries. |
| 16 | IIA – The Institute of Internal Auditors | The IIA is the internal audit profession’s global voice, recognized authority, acknowledged leader, chief advocate, and principal educator. Generally, members work in internal auditing, risk management, governance, internal control, information technology audit, education, and security. |
| 17 | ISRA – Information Security Research Association | The Information Security Research Association (commonly known as ISRA) is a registered non-profit organization focused on various aspects of Information Security including security research and cybersecurity awareness activities. |
| 18 | AISP – Association of Information Security Professionals | To promote, develop, support and enhance the integrity, technical competence, management expertise, status and interests of information security professionals in Singapore. |
| 19 | IASAP – International Association of Security Awareness Professionals | Formed in 2012, the International Association of Security Awareness Professionals is an independent 501(c)6 non-profit association comprised of corporate members. Member participants are professionals who manage information security awareness programs for their organizations, and are responsible for everyday awareness operations. |
| 20 | EWF – Executive Women’s Forum on Information Security, Risk Management & Privacy | The Executive Women’s Forum is the largest member organization serving emerging leaders as well as the most prominent and influential female executives in the Information Security, Risk Management and Privacy industries. |
| 21 | Cyber, Space & Intelligence Association | Cyber, Space, & Intelligence Association was founded in early 2011 to provide an environment for a vital flow of ideas between national security thought leaders in Government, Industry, and Congress focused Cyber, Space, and Intelligence challenges and opportunities. |
| 22 | CSA – Cloud Security Alliance | The Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to promote the use of best practices for providing security assurance within Cloud Computing, and to provide education on the uses of Cloud Computing to help secure all other forms of computing. The Cloud Security Alliance is led by a broad coalition of industry practitioners, corporations, associations and other key stakeholders. |
| 23 | The Cybersecurity Association | The Cybersecurity Association (CA) is poised to become the leading consortium focused on testing the security capabilities and performance of firewalls, intrusion prevention systems and other similar security equipment. The CA’s test plans are driven by its enterprise members, not by the vendors. |
| 24 | SARMA – Security Analysis & Risk Management Association | A non-profit professional association serving those responsible for analyzing and managing security risks to systems, structures, operations and information systems from man-made threats. The sarma.org website has been down since December 12, 2019 and they may not be in business anymore. |
| 25 | The Schmoo Group | The Shmoo Group is a non-profit think-tank comprised of security professionals from around the world who donate their free time and energy to information security research and development. |
| 26 | Cyber Defense Labs | Cyber Defense Labs (CDL) is a national initiative founded to improve the overall defensibility of critical infrastructure cyber networks and connected systems. CDL operates under a unified mission of Cyber Conscription, the idea that all US communities, organizations, and citizens are on the front lines, thereby conscripted defenders, in an ongoing Cyber Conflict, a conflict for intellectual property rights and the sovereignty of US cyber systems. |
| 27 | Identity Management Institute | Identity Management Institute® (IMI) is a leading global organization dedicated to identity governance, risk management, and compliance. IMI has been established to help redefine identity management in order to address all identity risks, and support the professionals in the field to effectively collaborate and manage the identity risks facing their employees, customers, and organizations. |
| 28 | National Cybersecurity Student Association | The National Cybersecurity Student Association is a one-stop-shop to enhance the educational and professional development of cybersecurity students through activities, networking and collaboration. This group supports the cybersecurity educational programs of academic institutions, inspires career awareness and encourages creative efforts to increase the number of graduates in the field. |
| 29 | IEEE Cyber Security | The IEEE Cybersecurity Initiative was launched in 2014. Its aim is to provide the go-to online presence for security and privacy professionals, improve the comprehension of cybersecurity by students and educators, and improve the security and privacy designs and implementations by professionals. |
In addition to the associations listed above, there are several cybersecurity associations listed on LinkedIn. These associations are great for networking with other professionals that are interested in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity threats are real so the more you learn about cybersecurity risks, threats, and protection the better you will be to face the cybersecurity challenges in your business and personal life.
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