- Training and Mentoring
training pathways
Training and mentoring that supports practical technical capability
Training and mentoring should help practitioners build the capability needed to demonstrate competence. This page brings together structured learning, advanced mentoring and support resources.
Practitioner Training (CSTM)
Candidates will gain the skills, knowledge and techniques required for a career in security testing. The course maps our CSTM syllabus and is perfect for anyone wishing to take this exam with us or continue their professional development at the highest standard possible.
This intensive course takes place over five days, either remotely or in our assessment centre in Cheltenham.
Advanced Practitioner (CSTL)
This series of mentoring sessions and peer discussions, for both Web Application and Infrastructure pathways takes place over three days. Sessions are designed to highlight any knowledge gaps that might affect subsequent assessment, and there is ample opportunity to engage with the trainer.
Vulnerability Assessing (CSVA)
Designed for practitioners working across a variety of network environments, the course combines practical techniques with the underlying principles that drive successful vulnerability assessment. Candidates will learn how to configure, execute and interpret vulnerability scans, while also exploring alternative discovery techniques for secure or restricted environments where traditional agent-based approaches may not be viable.
Foundational Training (CSFL)
The Cyber Scheme Foundation Level (CSFL) is a comprehensive training course and assessment designed to teach essential technical skills to individuals wanting to become industry-ready technical practitioners. It is aimed at supporting junior testers into their first role, teaching them essential skills, and assessing their competency as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Organisation Training
We have created a suite of resources to address the skills and knowledge required in order to improve cyber capability within technical consultancies and Government departments. These resources can be deployed anywhere in the world and range from detailed skills gap analyses to classroom and online training.
“The assessor was fantastic, he knew vast amounts of information, and could pitch it at every level, he went out of his way to provide extra support. A true professional who allows creativity and ideas to be explored. I hope one day to be able to work with him, and show what I have achieved with the foundations he has given me”.
Practical Information for in-person training
Walking directions to the nearest Pay & Display car park can be found here.
There are two entry points to the Eagle Tower building where our exam rooms are located. Please make your way to the main entrance on Montpellier Drive – look for the large eagle statue outside the revolving doors. When you arrive, please introduce yourself at reception and make your way to the seats shown here, where you will be met by your invigilator.
Our exam rooms are full of natural light, with window blinds and overhead fluorescent lights when needed.
We have drinking water, coffee and tea making facilities in our exam rooms. There is an onsite cafe selling hot and cold food in the ground floor reception area. If you have any allergies please let us know at time of booking.
There are accessible toilets on every floor.
There will be a level of ambient noise due to the proximity of other offices. If needed please supply your own earplugs or ear defenders when taking an exam. Please note this will not be appropriate for our training courses.
Our rooms are designed specifically to allow for maximum interaction between assessor and candidate, within specific guidelines stipulated by NCSC regarding assessor and candidate ratios. These may change but we currently work to:
CSTM exam – maximum of 6 candidates plus assessor
CSTL exams – maximum of 6 candidates with assessor plus invigilator
CSTM training – maximum of 12 delegates plus trainer
Advanced Mentoring – maximum of 6 delegates plus trainer
The Cyber Scheme believe everyone should have access to a career in security testing. We are available to discuss any concerns you have and are more than happy to make reasonable adjustments for any candidate who requires them during examinations.
These reasonable adjustments are to ensure you are given an equal opportunity to demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours required. We recognise that not all disabilities are visible.
We have a range of reasonable adjustments we can offer depending on what difficulty you might face. If you request an adjustment which we are unable to offer, we will give you a reason why we cannot offer it. This might be because it maps to a key Knowledge, Skill or Behaviour that we have to assess against within the certification. If that is the case, we will tell you which aspect we think would not be properly assessed.
There may be background noise during an assessment. Please bring (or ask for) ear plugs / ear defenders or listen to music if background noise is likely to affect your concentration.
Mobility
Access to all of our facilities is suitable for people with mobility issues. Should any other special facilities be required please get in touch at time of booking. For some reasonable adjustments, such as access to a disabled parking space, we will need to see supporting documentation around the condition to allow us to apply for this access for you. No information will be retained or stored once the request is validated.