ITIL provider AXELOS to launch Agile qualification this year

New cyber resilience certificate will also build on core IT and project management training

AXELOS, a Capita/Cabinet Office joint venture providing professional qualifications including ITIL, plans to add cyber security and Agile project management skills to its portfolio by June.

The firm will publish best practice guidance on how to combine Agile methods such as Scrum, extreme programming and Kanban with PRINCE2 project management, according to CEO Peter Hepworth.

"Agile doesn't always deliver, you do need to keep it on the rails and have governance. Good project management and governance plus rapid delivery is a great combination. And it's one we're seeing strong demand for," Hepworth told ComputerworldUK.

The Agile best practice advice and qualification will launch in the second quarter of 2015. Axelos is also examining ways to apply Agile methods to other types of projects beyond IT, he said.

The company's three core qualifications are for IT service management (ITIL) and project management (MSP and PRINCE2) but the company is starting to update its training and expand into other areas.

AXELOS also plans to unveil a 'cyber resilience' portfolio between now and June, which will focus on behaviour and training within organisations rather than technical security issues.

It will include classroom-based learning, searchable guidance and training via virtual simulations of cyber attacks, and will be aimed at non-IT staff including CEOs, CFOs and marketing teams.

"You can't eliminate the threat but you can build up resilience. The focus is on bouncing back, identifying critical information assets and understanding what information should be prioritised for protection," Hepworth said.

Hepworth said the qualification is "increasingly in demand, as most firms are now beyond the point where they think they're immune from attack".

It is in the final stages of review with chief information security officers (CISOs) in "several of the world's biggest organisations". There are early customers lined up but the company can't disclose who they are yet, he said.

The next area for AXELOS will be continuing professional development (CPD) to help IT workers keep their skills relevant and up-to-date. A team has been brought in to work on the CPD programme and it is due to launch in the second half of 2015.

The joint venture was launched in January 2014 and is owned 51 percent by Capita and 49 percent by government. There are no plans to change the balance of ownership currently, Hepworth confirmed.

It has expanded from seven to 75 staff over the last year, thanks to a newly-created sales and marketing team and taking on staff to oversee the new cyber, Agile and CPD areas.

"The first year was about continuity, getting the brand bedded in, completing investments and building on the heritage of great products. 2015 will be a growth year," Hepworth said.

Image credit: iStock/joreks

Tags careersIT managementcomputerworldCapitaCabinet OfficeAXELOS

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