2026 Certified Cybersecurity Specialist QAE Item Writers

Certified Cybersecurity Specialist (CCS) Questions, Answers, & Explanations (QAE) item writers will develop practice questions that will be included in CCS study materials, pending approval and review by the CCS Quality Assurance Team (QAT). Item writers will be assigned areas of knowledge for item writing. The Staff Facilitator will reach out to eligible item writers closer to the item writing campaign start date with additional details. Item writers will be compensated for accepted items (see Volunteer Benefits for more information). 

Anticipated outcomes:

CCS QAE Item Writers will submit quality items for consideration for use in the CCS QAE database.  

Volunteer Criteria:

• Minimum 2-3 years’ experience in cybersecurity, security, or related field
• Knowledge of the required roles, responsibilities and knowledge base of early career cybersecurity professionals
• Secure and stable internet connection and ability to use teleconferencing software and item database review software platform
• May not have served on the CCS Exam Item Development Working Group or CCS Certification Working Group 

Preferred:

• Cybersecurity fundamentals certificate and/or CCOA
• Training and education experience
• Geographic area distribution
• Industry distribution  

Volunteer benefits: 

• Item writers will receive a $50 stipend and 2 CPE hours per accepted item.
• Volunteers will be asked to complete an item writer agreement/work for hire agreement. 

All volunteers must have an ISACA Participation Agreement on file.  To see if your agreement is active, visit your volunteer profile. Access all volunteer policies here. 

Per the ISACA Terms of Use all users are prohibited from sharing ISACA content or services with generative AI tools. AI tools and notetakers are not permitted in any ISACA-led meeting. We appreciate your cooperation.