Saturday, February 4, 2017

CCSM lacks continuity, and it is Check Point's fault

Security Master program (CCSM) is the highest certification with Check Point available today. It was introduced at the end of 2014 to replaces failing CCMA certification.

It is clear now that CCSM is also experiencing some road bumps on its way.

During the last two weeks I have received several reports from CCSM professionals about inability to extend their CCSM status.

The issue is, CCSM certification is valid for two years only. Just to remind you, CCMA privileges had four year. Many people who jumped into CCSM at the beginning of 2015 are now facing the fact their certification is about to expire. Yet, there is no way to extend it.

Yes, that is not a mistake. You cannot extend your current CCSM certification. The usual was would be to take a new CCSM exam. But here's the caveat, it is still the same CCSM exam based on R77 version. And, not surprisingly, you cannot retake the same exam twice, if you passed it the last time.

One could extent one's CCSE for a year by taking two blade exams, but there is no such an option for CCSM. Nothing can be done. You may only wait till the next version based on R80 will be out.

I have asked Check Point Educational Services to comment on this situation. This is what they say:

"CCSM certification cannot be extended until the R80.10 software, certification training course, and certification exam is released.  This is a known issue."

I personally find the situation quite unsettling. I am privileged to know personally many of Check Point Education Services team members; and trust me, those people are dedicated, intelligent and hardworking.

Why are the processes failing then? Is it something about the system itself? I can't say. Yet I find necessary to start a dialog and to discuss openly and freely good and bad of being a Check Point certified professional.

Please do not hesitate to share your opinion too.

I will continue writing about history, issues and wins of Check Point certification system in this blog. Stay tuned.


11 comments:

  1. didnt we make new CCSM questions last year?

    Dries Mertens

    ReplyDelete
  2. I say it will take a year to release the new exam.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Before he left Check Point Ken Finley (ex-Certification Manager) mentioned that writing the 156-215.80: Check Point Certified Security Administrator R80 exam would extend it. Unless whoever replaced him changed this plan I believe this still stands. I'll investigate.

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    Replies
    1. John, I am pretty sure in Check POint certification there is no way to extend a higher certification with taking a lower version exam.

      I am also quoting the official response here. The way I see it, Check Point Education Services are familiar with the issue and do not intend to resolve it any other way but releasing a new R80 based CCSM course and exam. Which, as you may understand, will take significant time.

      Delete
  4. My CCSM is going to expire in few month & i cannot renew it due checkpoint itself does not know how i can renew it . I cannot invest 600$ to earn CCSM again.so i decided to let it go & will no longer pursue checkpoint certification

    ReplyDelete
  5. I passed my CCSM earlier this year, and the certification manager in user centre shows the expiration as 4 years?
    One of my colleagues also passed recently, and I believe his also shows as 4 year validity.

    I hope Check Point resolve this quickly for those people who are going to be hit by this!

    CCSM Check Point Certified Security Master 11-Jan-2017 11-Jan-2021

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For most CCSM is shown having 2, not 4, years. This is one of the issues, apparently

      Delete
  6. Is it possible to get CCSM study materials for taking this certification. Because in APAC there is no trainings going on.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you are looking for official CCSM Check Point materials, the only way is to acquire those from one of ATCs in your area. There are some in APAC, I am sure.

      Delete
    2. Yes may be in near future. But not now. Could you please share if anything you have with me, it would be grateful.

      Delete
    3. Do not take this the wrong way, but we do not share copyright materials here.

      I hope you miswrote that

      Delete