Quick CPE Guide
What are CPE credits?
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits are points you collect through participating in activities that are relevant to your certification and contribute to your professional knowledge and skills development. During your certification year, you collect CPE credits by attending events, completing courses, or performing other professional development activities. At the end of your certification year, you report the CPE credits you have earned to re-certify for your next certification year.
Why do I need CPE credits?
As an independent certification and accreditation organisation, our mission is to certify competent professionals who actively enhance their organisations’ resilience and drive excellence within the broader field of security and continuity. A fundamental aspect of accomplishing this mission lies in stimulating Continuing Professional Education (CPE) among our certification holders.
CPE requirements ensure that our Practitioner, Expert and Certified Officer certification holders continuously refine their expertise and adapt to emerging trends. By investing in ongoing education, our certified professionals contribute to the overall advancement of the field, solidify their positions as industry leaders, and demonstrate their commitment to growth and resilience in the dynamic landscape of security and continuity.
How many CPE credits do I need?
The amount of CPE credits you need to keep your certification active depends on your certification title.
| Certification title | Required amount of CPEs per year |
| Foundation | 0 |
|
Practitioner (SOC-CA & SOC-LA) |
20 |
| Expert | 40 |
| Certified Officer | 40 |
How can I earn CPE credits?
You can earn CPE credits by performing professional development activities in any field that is relevant to your certification. Professional development activities are relevant to your certification if they relate to your field or a neighbouring field. For example: If you are an Information Security Practitioner, you can earn CPE credits by developing your knowledge and skills in information security, data protection, IT security, ethical hacking or business continuity. You can only earn CPE credits with activities that contribute to your knowledge and skills development. You cannot earn CPE credits by performing your regular job activities.
We have compiled a concise overview to show you how many credits you can earn by performing various professional development activities (Lunch, dinner, drinks and travel time should not be counted). Benefit from the CPE opportunities we offer, and earn your CPE credits as you provide value to the industry.
| Activity | CPEs you can earn |
| Attend webinars (including free SECO webinars for certification holders) | 1 CPE / hour (max 10 CPE credits per year and 80% attendance per webinar) |
| Organise and give webinars | 5 to 6 CPEs (depending on length of webinar and preparation time needed) |
| Create exam questions/exercises | 1 CPE credit per exam question/exercise, upon approval. You can earn maximum 5 CPEs a year by performing this activity. |
| Forum moderator activities | You can earn maximum 5 CPEs a year by performing this activity. |
| Exam / career mentor activities | 1 CPE / hour. You can earn maximum 10 CPEs a year by performing this activity. |
| Take a SECO Foundation course | 20 CPEs (based on study load) |
| Take a SECO Practitioner course | 30 CPEs (based on study load) |
| Take a SECO Expert course | 40 CPEs (based on study load) |
| Take other courses relevant to your field | Based on study load (1 CPE/ 1 hour of training or self-study) |
| Take a SECO short course | 4 CPEs |
| Give an exam preparation course | 1 CPE / hour |
| Participate in an Ask the Security Coach session | 1 CPE / hour |
| Host an Ask the Security Coach session | 5 CPEs |
| Read books | 1 CPE credit per 100 pages, upon approval. You can earn maximum 5 CPEs a year by performing this activity. |
| Listening to podcasts | 1 CPE credit for 3 hours of podcast. You can earn maximum 5 CPEs a year by performing this activity. |
| Attending virtual labs | 1 CPE per hour. You can earn maximum 5 CPEs a year by performing this activity. |
Important: as of January 2025 there will be an annual cap on CPE points submissions of 2 times the yearly requiremed amount of CPE points. You can read more information about this here.
What if I fail to submit the required amount of CPE credits?
If you don’t submit your CPEs, you will be de-certified. You will not be entitled to use your SECO certification title, and you will lose your digital badge.
But don’t worry, this won’t happen. We will do our best to remind you of CPE submission deadlines. And you can always contact us for advice if you have difficulties collecting your CPE credits.
What if I have multiple certifications?
If you hold more than one credential (for example, you are Information Security Practitioner and IT Security Practitioner-certified), the CPEs you report for one credential will be automatically counted toward all of your active credentials. You only have to report your CPE activities once.
Where can I submit my CPE credits? And how do I keep count of them?
You can report CPE credits as you earn them on our CPE Credit Registration page. On this page, you can also check your CPE status.
Do I have to submit proof for my reported credits?
You need not submit proof when you report your CPE credits to us. However, we retain the right to ask you for proof where we deem it necessary. Therefore, we kindly ask you to retain proof of your CPE activities for at least 12 months. Proof may include course transcripts, diplomas/certificates, attendance receipts, research/preparation notes, copies of meeting minutes, registration forms and screenshots.
My CPE credits have not been accepted. How can I appeal?
In the event of a dispute regarding CPE status, CPE credit value or any other related issue, you may submit your complaints in writing to the SECO-Institute within three months (90 days) from the date of denial. You must explain the rationale of your appeal in writing, in no longer than two pages. Attach any relevant documentation to be considered, and submit your appeal to the SECO-Institute. The Board will assess your appeal at their next regularly scheduled meeting, and notify you of their decision. The Board’s decision shall be considered final.