NIST Cybersecurity Professional®
(NCSP®) 800‑55

Learn how to apply NIST SP 800‑55 measurement principles to strengthen security program performance.

NIST Cybersecurity Professional®

(NCSP®) 800‑55 Foundation Certificate

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Course Description

Measuring security performance is essential for evaluating program effectiveness and guiding improvement. NIST SP 800‑55 provides authoritative guidance for developing and using security metrics.

The NCSP® 800‑55 Foundation Certificate is a 2‑day, instructor‑led course introducing participants to security measurement principles and practices as defined in NIST SP 800‑55. This course explains metric types, measurement processes, reporting structures, and alignment with NIST CSF 2.0.

Participants learn how to apply foundational measurement concepts across systems, operations, and governance, preparing them for more advanced NCSP® risk and performance training.

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What You Will Learn

Participants gain knowledge of NIST SP 800-55 and how to apply performance management principles to a security program. You will learn:

• How NIST SP 800‑55 aligns with NIST CSF 2.0 and supports security measurement programs.

• The core concepts of security metrics and performance measurement.

• How to develop and implement measurement processes.

• How to collect, analyse, and report security metrics.

• How to evaluate program maturity and effectiveness.

• How to integrate measurement into continuous improvement.

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Course Agenda

Day 1: Measurement Foundations, Governance & Metric Concepts
Module 1: Introduction to NIST SP 800‑55
Module 2: Core Security Measurement Concepts
Module 3: Governance, Roles & Policy Responsibilities
Module 4: Metric Types & Measurement Processes

Day 2: Analysis, Reporting & Continuous Improvement
Module 5: Metric Collection & Analysis
Module 6: Reporting & Program Evaluation
Module 7: Operational Metrics & Maturity Models
Module 8: Continuous Improvement & Alignment with NIST CSF 2.0

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Learning Outcomes

​Participants will be able to:

• Explain how NIST SP 800‑55 supports NIST CSF 2.0 and measurement programs.

• Describe metric types and measurement processes.

• Apply foundational measurement practices.

• Analyse and report security metrics.

• Understand maturity and evaluation requirements.

• Translate NIST SP 800‑55 guidance into actionable measurement practices.

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Who Should Attend?

​Ideal for individuals responsible security program performance measurement and improvement, including:

• IT & Security Staff

• Cybersecurity Beginners & Career‑Changers

• GRC Personnel

• Compliance & Audit Teams

• Technical Support Staff

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Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites for this Foundation‑level course. It is designed as an accessible entry point into NIST‑aligned cybersecurity training.

Participants are provided with:

• NIST Cybersecurity Professional® (NCSP®) 800‑55 Foundation Certificate courseware including links to further reading and resources.

• NIST Cybersecurity Professional® (NCSP®) 800‑55 Foundation Certificate, Certificate of Completion.

• NIST Cybersecurity Professional® (NCSP®) 800‑55 Foundation Certificate digital badge.

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