NISM Opens Cyber Resilience Certifications For GIFT IFSC Professionals
NISM has launched basic and advanced cyber security and resilience certification courses for GIFT IFSC professionals, with separate exams, fees, validity periods and launch dates.
India's National Institute of Securities Markets has decided to introduce two cyber security and cyber resilience certification courses for the GIFT International Financial Services Centre, turning operational resilience into an examination track for officers and regulated-entity staff in the financial hub.
The Indian Express reported the NISM launch, which creates a basic course and an advanced course under the NISM-IFSCA-02A and NISM-IFSCA-02B labels.
Both are built for the GIFT IFSC environment and require candidates to sit an exam before receiving a certificate, with registration handled through NISM's certification portal.
The basic certificate targets IFSCA officers, employees of regulated entities in the IFSC ecosystem and other participants seeking foundational cyber security knowledge.
Its curriculum moves from cyber threats into governance, risk management, security architecture, data protection, access management and incident response, then extends into emerging issues such as AI and quantum computing.
That entry-level path has a compact test structure.
Candidates face 50 one-mark questions in 60 minutes, need a 50% score to pass and are not penalised for wrong answers.
The examination fee is Rs 1,180, the credential remains valid for two years, and the course is scheduled to launch on November 18.
The advanced certificate is aimed at roles that carry direct responsibility for controls and resilience: chief information security officers, principal officers, designated officers and compliance officers at IFSCA-regulated entities.
Its syllabus focuses on cyber security governance, risk management, incident preparedness, resilience and regulatory compliance, with practical case studies forming part of the course design.
The second exam carries heavier requirements.
Candidates must complete 80 multiple-choice questions and three case-based questions in two hours, with 25% negative marking and a 60% passing score.
The fee is Rs 2,950, the certificate is valid for three years, and launch is set for December 30.
For GIFT IFSC participants, the structure separates baseline awareness from accountability for institutional controls.
Registered candidates will receive workbook or study material without an additional fee, while soft copies will be available through the same website, making the next step a formal exam process rather than a voluntary guidance note.
