4 things you should do if your team fails their cybersecurity certification exams

Ellen Pincus
August 15, 2024 by
Ellen Pincus

Failing an exam can feel like a major setback, especially when your team members have invested significant time and effort into preparing. However, it's important to remember that some employees may not pass on their first attempt, and setbacks can be a natural part of their learning processes. Countless cybersecurity professionals have experienced exam failures, only to emerge stronger and more determined than ever before. 

This guide will explore four practical steps to help your team members bounce back from an exam failure and achieve success. You'll learn from the experiences and advice of industry experts who have overcome similar challenges and emerged victorious on their certification journeys. From analyzing your team's gaps to addressing the emotional impact, developing an effective study plan and maintaining a positive mindset, this guide will provide valuable insights to help them turn failure into fuel for future triumphs. 

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Tip 1: Understand why they failed 

Failure is not the end; it's a pivot point. When someone on your team finds out they failed a certification exam, you'll remind them that setbacks are part of the learning process. They're road signs guiding you toward improvement. 

Jerich Beacon, Chief Information Security Officer at Epiq, failed his first Security+ exam. "That was one of the lowest moments in my professional career," says Beacon. "As a Type A person, I'm always trying to better myself, and there was no way I was going to let that failure define me. Because of that experience, I was able to use that motivat...