The Institute of Information Security Professionals (IISP) has released the first IISP Knowledge Framework as part of its commitment to improve the levels of understanding and professionalism in the face of a growing tide of cybercrime and attacks.

The new Framework expands on the established IISP Skills Framework and defines the knowledge that information security professionals need to do their jobs and gives access to an up-to-date and wide-ranging body of knowledge, including standards, papers and external reference works that underpin cyber and information security.

>See also: The ineffectiveness of siloed cyber security thinking

The combined IISP Skills and Knowledge Frameworks allow information security professionals to have a consistent view of cyber and information security along with an established set of metrics.

The Knowledge Framework can also be used for curriculum development, training plans and career paths, as organisations strive to improve their ability to defend against and respond to cyber attacks.

“With a continuously shifting and evolving threat landscape and the development new technologies, practices and legislation, it is virtually impossible for any individual or organisation to stay informed and up-to-date,” said John Hughes, co-chair of the IISP Accreditation Committee and lead author of the Knowledge Framework.

“The IISP Knowledge Framework helps by providing easy access to core information as well as topical updates, linked to an in-depth body of knowledge to explore subjects in more detail.”

>See also: The value of sharing threat intelligence

The IISP Knowledge Framework provides an overview of knowledge areas with references to external documents and standards, combined with the competency and skill levels required for different job roles and functions, ranging from apprentice to expert.

The second part of the Framework includes definitions of common terms used in cyber and information security along with explanations of abbreviations and acronyms.

“It is increasingly clear that there is a greater need for collaboration and professionalisation across the cyber and information security industry to harness best-practice and define what ‘good’ looks like in terms of skills and knowledge,” said Amanda Finch, general manager of the IISP.

>See also: The role of artificial intelligence in cyber security

“The IISP knowledge Framework, combined with the IISP Skills Framework now brings these requirements together in an simple and accessible form.”

The Framework is currently available free of charge to IISP Members and will be made available to other organisations under licence.