The Certified Professional Cybersecurity Architect (CPCA) License
What the license represents
A professional license for architects who can design, govern, and defend cybersecurity architectures across enterprise and cloud environments, translating risk and business objectives into structured architectures with traceable decisions, patterns, and evidence aligned to the Defensible 10 Standards.
What you will be evaluated on
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Designing enterprise and system-level cybersecurity architectures across network, cloud, data, application, IAM, and platform domains.
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Defining trust boundaries, interfaces, dependencies, and failure domains using formal architecture models (CDMs).
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Selecting and justifying defensible architectural patterns, such as segmentation, zero-trust overlays, identity fabrics, and encryption architectures.
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Applying Cybersecurity Engineering Concepts (CECs), including Component Integrity Engineering (CIE), to document architectural trade-offs.
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Running Design Risk Management (DRM) to identify threats, evaluate risk, record mitigations, and document residual acceptance.
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Integrating TADA threat analysis into architecture decisions and reference designs.
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Governing architectures through design reviews, decision logs, and standards-based approval gates.
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Producing executive-level architecture briefs that clearly show risk reduction, resilience, and alignment to D10S domains.
How you earn it
No multiple-choice exam. You submit a capstone architecture portfolio and defend your work. A review panel evaluates peer-attested architecture case studies, a practical architecture design challenge, and an oral defense. All artifacts must trace to Defensible 10 domains and include documented decisions and measurable outcomes.
Who it is for
Cybersecurity architects, enterprise and cloud architects, senior security engineers transitioning into architecture roles, platform and infrastructure architects, principal technologists, and technical leaders responsible for governing secure system design.
Quick facts
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CPL is included with the Pro Bundle (course + ebook + one CPL evaluation/capstone)
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40 CPE credits are issued automatically with course completion
What is a Certified Professional Cybersecurity Architect (CPCA) Stamp?
The Certified Professional Cybersecurity Architect (CPCA) Stamp is the official seal of recognition for cybersecurity professionals who have earned ISAUnited’s highest-level security architecture licensing. This distinguished mark signifies expertise in designing, implementing, and governing enterprise security architectures to defend against evolving cyber threats.
Holders of the CPCA Stamp have demonstrated the ability to:
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Build and communicate architectures using Cybersecurity Design Models (CDMs), including system views, trust boundaries, interfaces, dependencies, and failure domains.
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Design enterprise and system-level cybersecurity architectures across network, cloud, data, application, IAM, and platform domains.
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Apply Cybersecurity Engineering Concepts (CECs) as engineering trade-off methods, including Component Integrity Engineering (CIE), and record decisions in traceable logs.
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Apply Design Risk Management (DRM) to identify threats, evaluate risk, document mitigations, and record residual acceptance.
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Govern architecture decisions through documented reviews, standards-based evidence, and defensible approval records.
Authorized use of the CPCA Stamp
The CPCA Stamp may be applied to CDM architecture packs, design review records, decision logs, technical reports, and other official cybersecurity architecture documentation produced or approved by the license holder. Its use signifies professional accountability, traceability to standards, and adherence to ISAUnited’s licensing requirements and code of ethics.
How to Earn the CPCA CPL?
Two ways to earn your license.
Practical Use
Security Engineers & Architects
Technical Solution Architects & Designers
Cloud & DevOps Engineers & Architects
Technical Executives & Management
Let ISAUnited be your Security-by-Design resourse.
Limited Time Promotion
At ISAUnited, your team's security is our top priority. We are pleased to offer an exclusive discount to all ISAUnited members. Take advantage of this limited time promotion to enhance your security infrastructure. Whether you need expert advice, customized solutions, or training programs, our team of experienced security architects is here to help. Don't miss out on this opportunity to strengthen your defenses and protect your organization. Contact us today to learn more about our special offers for team-based training.
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