CCIS - Certified Cyber Insurance Specialist
Short Summary
Certified Cyber Insurance Specialist (CCIS)
The Certified Cyber Insurance Specialist (CCIS) designation recognizes insurance professionals who demonstrate advanced expertise in cyber risk management and digital liability coverage. Designed for brokers, agents, and underwriters serving commercial clients, the CCIS credential equips holders to navigate the evolving landscape of cyber threats, regulatory compliance, and integrated risk solutions.
CCIS holders are trained to assess cyber exposures across industries, interpret complex policy language, and advise on coverage strategies that align with business operations. From ransomware and data breaches to business interruption and reputational harm, CCIS professionals offer a holistic approach to cyber insurance that complements broader commercial lines such as general liability, property, and auto.
Ideal for professionals who serve mid-market and enterprise clients, the CCIS designation positions its holders as cyber-forward commercial advisors—not siloed specialists, but strategic partners who integrate digital risk into comprehensive insurance portfolios. The curriculum emphasizes real-world application, including case studies, breach response planning, and regulatory frameworks like GDPR and CCPA.
Whether advising a healthcare provider on HIPAA exposures or helping a retailer recover from a phishing attack, CCIS designees bring clarity, confidence, and credibility to the cyber conversation. The designation is especially relevant for those seeking to differentiate themselves in a competitive market where cyber literacy is increasingly essential.
To learn more about the CCIS designation, including eligibility, curriculum, and continuing education requirements, visit the CCIS program page.
Jobs That Benefit Most
Course Description
🎯 Purpose of the CCIS Designation
- Equip professionals with dual fluency in cybersecurity and cyber insurance
- Enable better risk assessment, policy design, and claims handling
- Prepare underwriters, brokers, claims specialists, and risk managers to navigate evolving cyber threats
- Foster a global community of cyber insurance experts with shared standards and best practices
📚 Topics Covered in the CCIS Course
The course is structured into 10 chapters, each diving deep into core concepts:
| Chapter | Focus Area |
| 1 | Cyber risk fundamentals, threat actors, attack targets |
| 2 | IT & InfoSec principles, mitigation techniques, CISO responsibilities |
| 3 | Internal vs. external threats, attack vectors, malware types |
| 4 | Cloud services, data communication, protocols, network architectures |
| 5 | Defense in Depth, cybersecurity tools & services |
| 6 | Risk assessments, global regulations, data privacy |
| 7 | Cyber insurance vs. traditional insurance, silent cyber, capacity |
| 8 | Coverages, exclusions, proposal forms, sector-specific threats |
| 9 | Underwriting process, claims lifecycle, incident response |
| 10 | Cyber insurance market trends, professional attributes |
The course includes interactive lessons, quizzes, and a final exam to validate your expertise.
🧭 Specialization Options
While the CCIS itself is a comprehensive designation, the Cyber Insurance Academy offers additional resources and enterprise-level training that allow professionals to:
- Deepen expertise in underwriting, claims, or risk management
- Access micro-lessons, toolkits, and case studies tailored to specific roles
- Join exclusive events and workshops for advanced specialization
Some organizations also use CCIS as a foundation for internal career tracks, especially in large insurers like AXA, where over 100 underwriters have earned the designation.
Cost
💰 CCIS Cost Breakdown
| Fee Type | Estimated Cost (USD) | Notes |
| Course Fee | $1,495 | Includes full access to all 10 chapters, interactive lessons, quizzes, and resources |
| Application Fee | $0 | No separate application fee is listed |
| Books & Materials | $0 | All materials are included digitally with the course |
| Exam Fee | Included | Final exam is part of the course package |
| Certification Fee | Included | Issued upon successful completion of the course and exam |
| Renewal Fees | None listed | No recurring fees mentioned for maintaining certification |
🧾 Total Estimated Cost: $1,495 USD
This is a one-time investment for lifetime certification access, with no hidden or recurring fees currently disclosed.
Prerequisites
✅ Prerequisites for CCIS
- No formal prerequisites are required to enroll in the CCIS course.
- It’s ideal for professionals in insurance, cybersecurity, legal, or risk management, but beginners with a strong interest in cyber insurance can also succeed.
- The course is self-paced, and includes foundational chapters that build up your knowledge from the ground level.
🧠 Recommended (But Not Required) Background
While not mandatory, having experience or familiarity with the following can help:
- Basic understanding of cybersecurity concepts or IT systems
- Exposure to insurance terminology or policy structures
- Analytical or consulting experience in risk assessment or compliance
Renewal Requirements
- You’ll need to validate your certificate periodically to maintain active status.
- The renewal process involves completing a short validation course that includes:
- 1 lesson
- 1 quiz
- This ensures your knowledge stays aligned with current industry standards and CPD/CE accreditation requirements.
💵 Renewal Fees
- As of now, no separate renewal fee is listed for maintaining your CCIS certification.
- The validation course appears to be included as part of your ongoing access to the Cyber Insurance Academy platform.
🗓️ Validity Period
- Renewed certificates are typically valid for a set period (e.g., until September 30, 2025 for current renewals).
- You’ll receive a new certificate upon successful completion of the validation steps.
Average Time to Complete Course
🕒 Typical Completion Time
- Estimated Duration: 30–50 hours of learning content
- Access Period: You’ll have up to one year to complete the course
- Includes interactive lessons, quizzes, and a final exam
🧠 Learning Style
- Bite-sized micro-lessons (2–5 minutes each) for easy absorption
- Mix of videos, readings, and case studies
- Final exam is mandatory and based on all chapters and lessons
Exams
📝 CCIS Exam Details
📌 Format
- Type: Multiple-choice questions
- Mode: Online, timed
- Access: Available only after completing all chapters and lessons
📚 Content Coverage
- Questions span all 10 chapters, including:
- Cyber risk fundamentals
- IT & InfoSec principles
- Threat vectors and malware
- Cloud and network architecture
- Defense in Depth strategies
- Global regulations and privacy
- Cyber insurance coverages and exclusions
- Underwriting and claims processes
- Market trends and professional attributes
⏱️ Timing
- The exam is timed, though the exact duration isn’t publicly disclosed
- You’ll need to be well-prepared, as it’s designed to test real-world application of concepts
🎯 Requirements
- Must complete all course materials before gaining access
- Thorough review of lessons, readings, and assignments is highly recommended
🏆 Certification Outcome
- Upon passing, you’ll receive your CCIS certificate
- No separate exam fee — it’s included in the course cost
Certifying Body
Certifying Body
About the Certifying Body: Cyber Insurance Academy
- A global education platform focused exclusively on cyber insurance training
- Offers the CCIS course, recognized as a gold-standard credential in the industry
- Built and validated by a council of leading cybersecurity and insurance experts
- Provides self-paced learning, interactive lessons, and CE/CPD-accredited content
🌍 Accreditation & Recognition
The CCIS program is accredited by several major industry bodies:
- CII – Chartered Insurance Institute (UK)
- RIBO – Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (Canada)
- ANZIF – Australia and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance
- NIBA – National Insurance Brokers Association (Australia)
- Approved for CE/CPD credits in over 45 U.S. states
