CompTIA Newsroom

Award recognizes positive impact of iQ4’s Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance Macro-Credential courses

October 14, 2022 – iQ4 Corporation, a “Digital Talent Cloud” software platform company that provides technical and applied learning courses in cybersecurity and information technology, has received external validation by being selected by CompTIA to receive the “Rising Star” Award. 

The award goes to the partner with the most growth in consecutive years.  iQ4 Corporation, a Global Business Partner of CompTIA was recognized as a Rising Star for its work in Latin America and the Caribbean.  The result has been iQ4 training 158 students and adult learners through its macro-credential program, with an astonishing 78% pass rate on the CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA PenTest+ certification examinations.

The iQ4 macro-credential courses in cybersecurity and penetration testing, being offered in the United States and International locations, combine technical training and applied learning projects.  Technical training and applied learning are integrated with each other so as a student is acquiring technical skills, they are also applying those skills to real-world scenarios. Courses meet two times a week for 8 weeks, totaling 60 hours in a virtual classroom setting.

The technical training component of the macro-credential includes official CompTIA learning materials (slide decks, digital learning resources, labs, test banks, LMS), with instruction led by CompTIA certified iQ4 instructors.  The applied learning component includes subject matter expert mentors serving as digital coaches from iQ4’s Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance. The iQ4 Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance is a 3,200+ member organization consisting of academia, employers, subject matter experts, and mentors. The applied learning component provides cybersecurity case studies on insider threats and cyber-attacks and lessons that are congruent with the technical training. Students work on real-world cybersecurity projects, performing a job role, working in teams, and present deliverables to subject matter expert mentors from industry.  All students receive a Cybersecurity Workforce Alliance Industry recognized certificate and credential.

Frank Cicio, CEO and Founder of iQ4 Corporation stated: “the combined technical training and applied learning with real-world experience really made the difference in achieving the pass rate of 78%”.

Leonard Wadewitz, CompTIA, Senior Director, Business Development, Latin America-Caribbean stated: “This program was a great accomplishment by all, the instructors, and the students. A 78% pass is not common and is very encouraging to see from such a large group of students. iQ4, TechRuptive, and CINDE should be very happy with the results.”

Regarding the Rising Star Award, Wadewitz added, “The incredible work performed by iQ4 is making a positive impact on the lives of many people. They share our belief that with the right mix of opportunity and encouragement anyone can find a place in the tech workforce.”

Cris Hamilton, Security Consultant and Strategist stated “Through a partnership with iQ4, TechRuptive, and CompTIA we were able to develop a Cyber Security and Ethical Hacking program to cover the foundations around these domains. The results were outstanding as we were able to educate and certify students that had basic information technology backgrounds, upskilling them to cyber security analysts and ethical hackers.”

“The key to Costa Rica being one of the most competitive nations for foreign direct investment (FDI) is Costa Rican talent, and this has only been possible thanks to knowledge transfer and continuing education in a collaborative ecosystem where academia, universities, and companies all participate.

Costa Rica competes in a globalized world where technology will continue to play a leading role. And this is where more and better opportunities will arise that are highly attractive and in great demand, especially in the areas of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology.

At CINDE we will continue to support and encourage incentives that connect technical skills with the real world and working together we will transform the learning economy,” said CINDE Investment Climate Director Vanessa Gibson.

This unique and one of its kind program offered world-wide through the iQ4 Digital Talent Cloud platform, leads individuals to career pathways and great jobs in cybersecurity and information technology. 

About iQ4 Corporation
A technology company that provides a digital talent cloud ecosystem that includes a real-world cybersecurity assessment macro-credential program and a digital wallet that houses wallet-holder skills, credentials, and badges, matching skills to career pathways and live job requisitions based on geo-location preference. https://www.iq4.com/

About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world’s economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for unlocking the potential of the tech industry and its workforce. https://www.comptia.org/

Media Contacts

For iQ4 Corporation
Erin Talbot
[email protected]

For CompTIA
Steven Ostrowski
[email protected]