The National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM) has launched two specialised certification courses in Cyber Security and Cyber Resilience for professionals working in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City’s International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC). The initiative aims to strengthen cybersecurity awareness, improve risk management and enhance the ability of financial institutions to respond to cyber threats.
The courses have been developed in alignment with the training and awareness guidelines of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA). They are intended to help professionals understand cybersecurity risks and adopt effective measures to protect digital infrastructure in the financial services ecosystem. <Cite refs={[“turn180220search0″,”turn180220search1″,”turn180220search4”]} />
Two Certification Courses Introduced
NISM has introduced the following programmes:
- Basic Certification (NISM-IFSCA-02A): Designed for IFSCA officers, employees of regulated entities operating in the IFSC ecosystem and other interested individuals seeking foundational knowledge of cybersecurity and cyber resilience.
- Advanced Certification (NISM-IFSCA-02B): Intended primarily for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), principal officers, designated officers, compliance officers and other relevant professionals responsible for cybersecurity, governance and risk management.
What Will the Courses Cover?
The Basic certification focuses on the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including the evolving cyber threat landscape, security awareness, governance, risk management, data protection, access management, application security and vulnerability management. It also covers cyber incident detection, response and recovery, along with emerging challenges involving artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
The Advanced certification builds on existing knowledge and emphasises cybersecurity governance, regulatory compliance, risk assessment and organisational preparedness. It also examines how institutions can strengthen their incident-response strategies and maintain operational resilience in the face of cyberattacks. <Cite refs={[“turn180220search2″,”turn180220search3”]} />
Examination Dates and Fees
According to NISM, the examination schedule and fees are as follows:
| Details | Basic Certification | Advanced Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Examination available from | November 18, 2026 | December 30, 2026 |
| Examination duration | 60 minutes | 120 minutes |
| Examination fee | ₹1,180 | ₹2,950 |
| Passing score | 50% | 60% |
| Certificate validity | 2 years | 3 years |
The Basic examination consists of 50 one-mark questions, with no negative marking. The Advanced examination includes 80 multiple-choice questions and three case-based sets, with a 25% penalty for incorrect answers. <Cite refs={[“turn180220search2″,”turn180220search3″,”turn180220search4”]} />
How to Register
Interested candidates can access the course details, study materials and examination registration facilities through the official NISM website at www.nism.ac.in. Registration for the examinations is available through the NISM certification portal at cert.nism.ac.in.
The study materials are available digitally, and candidates should review the relevant course requirements and examination guidelines before registering.
The launch of these certifications comes as financial services increasingly depend on digital platforms and interconnected systems. By building cybersecurity knowledge and strengthening incident-response capabilities, NISM aims to support a more secure and resilient financial ecosystem at GIFT IFSC and contribute to the wider development of cybersecurity skills in the sector.
