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Become an AlienVault Certified Security Engineer

   

Get Certified & Show Off Your AlienVault Expertise!

The AlienVault Certified Security Engineer (ACSE) certification validates skills in planning, designing, implementing, and operating the AlienVault USM system. The certification is a valued designation of knowledge and skills that demonstrates expertise among AlienVault customers, partners, and employees.

ACSE is designed for:
  • Security engineers
  • Security analysts who also require engineering skills
  • Community members who use open source security tools and desire a recognized Unified Security Management industry credential
  • IT professionals who implement, operate, or support security systems
  • Security professional working as AlienVault resellers or partners

Why Security Professionals Seek the ACSE Certification

   

ACSE is the only certification that validates knowledge and skills with AlienVault USM. You might seek to earn the ACSE credential to grow in your current role, build your credentials when seeking a new role, or gain recognition among peers and in the security industry.

Benefits* of Certification:

  • When you pass the ACSE exam, you will receive a certificate via email showing your achievement.
  • You will also receive the ACSE logo, which you can use on your business cards, email signature, or on your profile on social media sites such as LinkedIn.
  • If you work for an organization that has a support contract with AlienVault, you will also benefit from priority access to AlienVault support engineers.

*Benefits accrue to those who earn ACSE by taking the current ACSE exam via Kryterion, our exam delivery provider.

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Preparing for the ACSE Exam

   

About the ACSE Exam

The ACSE exam was created using industry-standard psychometric techniques. Though no exam is perfect, the ACSE exam is specifically designed to identify those with the requisite knowledge and skills in planning, designing, implementing, and operating the AlienVault USM system. The exam was created with the participation of the AlienVault Certification Advisory and Development Board. Board members include AlienVault customers, partners, and employees with broad expertise in AlienVault USM and the security industry.

Follow These Steps to Prepare:

  1. Review the ACSE Exam Blueprint. The blueprint shows the specific objectives for the ACSE exam. Refer to the topics listed on the blueprint, and the relative weight given to each topic, as a guide to the knowledge and skills you will need.
  2. Take the AlienVault USM for Security Engineers training class. This step is optional. You are not required to take the training class in order to take the ACSE certification exam. However, unless you have extensive experience with AlienVault USM, you will likely learn skills in the class that are necessary on the job and are required for success on the exam. Each delegate who takes the AlienVault USM for Security Engineers training receives a voucher to take the ACSE certification exam at no additional charge.
  3. Practice with AlienVault USM. The ACSE exam is intended to certify significant skill in using AlienVault USM. You will need many months of hands-on practice with the system in order to build the skills that are tested on the exam.

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Registering for the ACSE Exam

   

Registering for the ACSE Exam

The ACSE exam is administered through Kryterion, our exam delivery partner. Kryterion delivers the exam using their Webassessor platform. Follow these steps:

  1. Obtain an exam voucher. In order to take the ACSE exam, you need an exam voucher. A voucher is a 16-digit alphanumeric code. There are two ways to obtain a voucher:
    • Purchase a voucher on this web site. A voucher costs USD $200 worldwide. It is only available for sale on this web site. It is good for one attempt at the exam. After making your purchase, you will receive an email with your voucher within 2 business days.
    • Take the AlienVault USM for Security Engineers training class. Each delegate who takes the AlienVault USM for Security Engineers receives a voucher to take the ACSE certification exam at no additional charge. You will receive an email with your voucher at the end of the class.
  2. Register on Webassessor. The email that includes your voucher will have complete instructions on how to register.
  3. Schedule your exam as described in the next section.

Scheduling your ACSE Exam

In order to maintain the integrity of the testing process and the value of the ACSE certification, all exam deliveries are proctored. You have two options—Onsite Proctored or Online Proctored. Your voucher is good for one attempt—either Onsite Proctored or Online Proctored. No matter which option you choose, the exam is the same.

Rescheduling your ACSE Exam

If you need to reschedule your exam, you may do so on Webassessor at no additional cost. However, as noted during the registration process, reschedules are not permitted within 72 hours of the your scheduled exam time.

Online Proctored Exam

Kryterion offers you the ability to take the ACSE exam from your own computer. You’ll need to meet the system requirements, and you’ll need to have a detached webcam that can sit to the side while you take the exam.

To schedule an online proctored exam, please contact the KTN Support Team. You can reach them at 800-403-6199 (US and Canada) or +1 602-281-3591 Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Pacific time) or by sending an email to [email protected].

Onsite Proctored Exam

Kryterion maintains a network of over 800 Kryterion Testing Network (KTN) centers around the world. To schedule an onsite proctored exam, please follow the instructions in Webassessor. You will be able to select from the available locations, dates, and times for your exam.

Please review the information on Kryterion’s web site to see what to expect when taking an exam at a KTN center.

If you’d like to search in advance for a testing center that’s convenient for you, please use the KTN center locator.

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Taking the Exam: The Details

  • Agreement: When you begin the exam, you will be presented with the AlienVault Exam Security Agreement. If you would like to review it in advance, it is here >
  • TIMING: You will have 90 minutes to complete the exam. The exam will have approximately 60-75 questions, though the number may vary.
  • QUESTION TYPES: The exam questions may include multiple choice (which may require a single response or multiple responses) and matching, and could include other question types as well. On occasion, we will include a few questions that we are evaluating. We also may include a few survey questions. Your responses on questions that we are evaluating, and on survey questions, will not be counted when determining your score.
  • GUESSING: There is no penalty on the ACSE exam for an incorrect answer. Therefore, you should attempt to answer all questions, selecting the best answer or answers in each case.
  • NAVIGATION: During the exam, you can move forward or back to review questions. You also have a check box on each screen to mark a question for later review if you have enough time.
  • COMMENTS: During the exam, you will have the opportunity to write a comment on any question. We are very interested in your comments. However, please note that your time to complete the exam is not extended when you write comments.
  • language: The ACSE exam is only offered in English. The 90-minute duration was chosen to assure that non-native English speakers will have sufficient time.

Exam Results

If you pass the exam, congratulations! You will receive your certificate and logo via email. We will also update our records to provide you with priority access to AlienVault Support if you work for an organization that has a support contract with AlienVault.

If you do not pass the exam, you will receive an email showing you how you performed on each section of the exam. The sections match the ACSE Exam Blueprint. You can use this information to help you prepare for your next attempt at the exam. You are welcome to purchase a voucher and retake the exam at your convenience. However, we require that your next attempt take place at least 30 days later.

Recertification

The ACSE certification is valid for two years from the date on which you earn it. Your expiration date is printed on your certificate. To recertify, take the current version of the ACSE exam.

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Questions or comments? Please email us at [email protected]

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