BlockMark User Guide
Using Blockmark as a secure portal for your digital certification
The Cyber Scheme has used the BlockMark Registry for several years now to securely issue certificates to candidates upon successful completion of one of our assessments or training courses.
We have developed the functionality of our portal to allow the uploading and recording of certificates outside of our own ecosystem, primarily for the purpose of managing and auditing CPD records for registrants holding a professional title with the UK Cyber Security Council.
This functionality also allows users to store evidence in support of their professional experience, education, and any other skills they wish to use to demonstrate to employers and customers that they are competent, ethical and possess the correct skills to carry out their roles. We are calling this portal our Trusted Register, with the aim of it becoming an essential piece in an individual’s professional jigsaw, simplifying and regulating their professional contribution.
Read on to discover how to use the registry, whether for personal, CPD or professional purposes. Please note the platform is in beta and we will add further information as it is developed.
What is BlockMark?
BlockMark Registry is a platform developed and operated by BlockMark Technologies Ltd, that allows companies to issue digital certificates. It utilises a secure cloud-based database and enables certificates to be issued, withdrawn, and verified. This ensures compliance for schemes with a specified renewal such as our CSTM and CSTM certification. It reduces the risk of fraud by allowing stakeholders to check validity and for evidence of tampering.
The platform allows an individual to control all of their certifications from one dashboard, and to keep an eye on when an item is expiring or needs action.
Verifying digital certificates
By using BlockMark Registry, The Cyber Scheme ensures that its certificates (and badges – more of that later) are secure, transparent and verifiable.
What does this mean for me?
When we issue a certificate, or invite you to use our CPD portal, you will be asked to set up an account with Blockmark. Once you have created this account, all your linked certificates will appear in one dashboard allowing you full control of accessibility and visibility.
Receiving your certificate and setting up an account
Once you have been notified of a successful pass by the Operations team at The Cyber Scheme, you will receive a second email which will invite you to view and share your certificate. You will be prompted to confirm whether or not you already have a BlockMark account (which may be the case if you have previously taken an assessment with us or hold a certificate with another organisation that uses the BlockMark platform, such as IASME). If you do not already have an account, you will be given instructions on how to set one up. Your account will allow you to access and download your digital badge (where appropriate) and certificate. You will be able to embed your badge in your email and website footers, by following the instructions on the site to copy the code provided.
Your account dashboard will look like this:
- Received Certificates – will bring up all certificates issued to you.
- Inspected Certificates – will show any certificates that you or your staff have inspected externally (e.g. to maintain a record of your own due diligence of customers or suppliers).
- Profile – an alternative view of the certificates. This allows you to see how your certificates would appear externally.
You may also see other buttons on your dashboard depending on whether you are using the portal for CPD recording, or to become a member of the Trusted Register.
Downloading the Certificate as a PDF
For security reasons, we no longer attach a pdf copy of your certificate to the original BlockMark email. You can however download a pdf of your certificate from your BlockMark account. Please note any PDF copies are not subject to the security checks available with a digital certificate and are more susceptible to tampering and fraud; please look after any PDF downloads with care.
From your dashboard, select ‘Received Certificates’ to bring up a list of all certificates issued to you. Choose ‘Download and Print Certificate’ in the View section to receive a pdf copy of the certificate. You can also choose ‘Download and Print Inspection Copy’ if you are required to provide the certificate as evidence of certification and don’t wish to send the original.
Sharing your Certificate
If you wish to share your certificate outside of BlockMark, we recommend using the inspection copy to avoid unlawful duplication or replication of the original. The inspection copy option is visible when viewing your certificate in BlockMark,
Renewing a BlockMark Certificate
There is no need set up a new account on BlockMark Registry, even if you are issued with a new certificate, as long as your details haven’t changed. If your organisation or email address changes, you are able to link two accounts together for future use; you will be guided through the secure process to do this if required.
Amending a BlockMark certificate
Changes to an existing certificate can only be made in certain circumstances. Please contact us for further information.
Digital badges
Using a badge to display your achievement
In addition to the certificate, you will be provided with a digital badge (where appropriate) which allows you to display your achievement on a website or email footer, using the provided embed code.
Each time the certificate or logo is viewed online, the code retrieves the information from BlockMark’s platform in real time and the logo is refreshed for as long as it’s valid. If a third party hovers their cursor over a BlockMark badge, details about who it’s issued to and from, and the issue and expiry dates will appear. If they click on it, they are taken to the full digital certificate on BlockMark and can view more detailed information about that certificate, the recipient, the scheme, the scope and the issuer.
Although embed codes for displaying digital badges are linked to individual certificates, the system detects if you have a newer valid certificate from the same scheme. As such, the embed code will link to a newer certificate, saving you from updating the links on your website or email footer.
How to use the digital badge
In the Share window, choose either ‘Smart badge for website’ or ‘Smart badge for email’. Click the Create button to be provided with the embed code. This code will alter depending upon the options chosen in the menu. The instructions for using the code are included in the BlockMark control panel on your account; please note you will need to have admin access to be able to insert the code correctly into a website or email footer.
The Cyber Scheme are rolling out this badge function to all certificates; if the function does not yet appear in your account, get in touch with us and we will set it up for you.
If you wish to display the badge on other marketing literature, for example in print, please contact us.
Using your account for the recording of CPD
The Cyber Scheme are committed to supporting registrants who hold a professional title with the UK Cyber Security Council in the recording and monitoring of their CPD (Continuing Professional Development). As a Licensed Body for the Council, it is our responsibility to monitor and audit the CPD records of everyone who has been assessed by us for a professional title, regardless of level or specialism.
The work to formalise CPD requirements is ongoing. The aim of our CPD portal is that anyone, whether they hold an existing certificate with us or not, can set up an account to securely upload and store CPD records. We are also developing functionality which will automatically assign hours/points to each CPD activity, allowing registrants to easily monitor their annual 25 hour commitment. The portal also allows for verification that an individual is keeping to their commitment of upholding all terms and conditions deemed necessary by both The Cyber Scheme and the Council.
We expect our provision for CPD support to expand over the next few months. Please get in touch with us if you require more information about CPD, uploading and monitoring your records, and allocating hours to specific activities.
