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Open FAIR™ Certification Portfolio FAQs

 

Contents

Open FAIR Authorized Trainers

 


The Open FAIR™ Certification Program

Q: What does the Open FAIR Certification Program include? 

A: The Open FAIR Certification Program encompasses the Open FAIR Foundation certification and Open FAIR 2 Foundation certification. This includes Bodies of Knowledge (sets of conformance requirements) based on the Open FAIR Body of Knowledge composed of the Risk Analysis (O-RA) Standard, version 1.0 and the Risk Taxonomy (O-RT) Standard, version 2.0. and the Open FAIR Body of Knowledge composed of the Risk Analysis (O-RA) Standard, version 2.0.1 and the Risk Taxonomy (O-RT) Standard, version 3.0.1, respectively.

Q: What is a Body of Knowledge? 

A: A body of knowledge (BOK or BoK) is the complete set of concepts, terms and activities that make up a professional domain.  A Body of Knowledge defines the content for a certification, and a Body of Knowledge defines the material that is examinable. 
For Open FAIR Certification a BoK is a subset of the standard relevant to the certification, defined as learning units and documented in the Conformance Requirements documentation. 

Q: Where is the Body of Knowledge defined for Open FAIR 2 Foundation?

 A: The BoK for Open FAIR Foundation Certification based on the Open FAIR Body of Knowledge composed of the Risk Analysis (O-RA) Standard, version 2.0.1 and the Risk Taxonomy (O-RT) Standard, version 3.0.1 is defined in the following documents: 

  • X2206, Open FAIR Conformance Requirements, version 2.0

Open FAIR 2 Foundation

Q: What is Open FAIR 2 Foundation Certification? 

A:The purpose of certification for Open FAIR™ 2 Foundation is to provide validation that an individual has gained knowledge of the fundamentals of the Open FAIR Body of Knowledge, including knowledge of the terminology, structure, and basic concepts of the Open FAIR Body of Knowledge, and understands the core principles of risk analysis using the Open FAIR Body of Knowledge, the Risk Analysis Standard, and the Risk Taxonomy Standard sufficient to be able to contribute to a risk analysis project. 

Q: How is the Open FAIR Foundation certification positioned with respect to Bloom's taxonomy?

A: Foundation level certifications are at Level 1 and 2, remembering and understanding.

Q: Who is Open FAIR Foundation certification applicable to?

A: The target audience for this level includes, but is not limited to:

  1. Individuals who require a basic understanding of the Open FAIR Body of Knowledge, the Risk Analysis Standard, and the Risk Taxonomy Standard
  2. Professionals who are working in roles associated with a risk analysis project, such as those responsible for planning, execution, development, delivery, and operation
  3. Risk analysts who are looking for a first introduction to the Open FAIR Body of Knowledge, the Risk Analysis Standard, and the Risk Taxonomy Standard
  4. Risk analysts who want to achieve Open FAIR Certified (Advanced) certification (when offered) in a stepwise approach  

Q: What is the difference between the Open FAIR Foundation and Open FAIR 2 Foundation certification?

A: The certification conformance requirements have been revisited to better address the skillset and competencies needed for risk analysis using the Open FAIR approach, and also to improve the learning experience. The syllabus also reflects the content of the latest version of the Body of Knowledge.

Q: What changes were made in the constituent standards of the Open FAIR Body of Knowledge, Version 2.0?

A: Changes in the Open FAIR Body of Knowledge, Version 2.0 A number of changes have been made to the constituent standards of the Open FAIR Body of Knowledge in Version 2.0. These changes came about as a result of feedback from practitioners using the standards. They are summarized here:

The O-RA Standard:

  • The “Confidence Level in the Most Likely Value” as a parameter to model estimates conceptualized in the previous version of the O-RA Standard is discontinued and replaced by the choice of distribution that would determine it
  • The quantitative example that utilized a qualitative scale has been removed • Open FAIR terms and definitions have been clarified
  • The Loss Scenario is decomposed and explained utilizing accompanying figures, including guidance on selecting the distribution to use and Risk Factor to model
  • The NIST CSF five functions are incorporated

The O-RT Standard:

  • “Accomplish Assigned Mission” as a possible action taken by a Threat Agent was removed – it could apply to any of the other actions and be a component of any of them, but it is not its own action
  • The external loss factor “Detection” was changed to “External Party Detection” and the organizational loss factor “Due Diligence” was changed to “Reasonable Care”
  • The quantitative example that utilized a qualitative scale has been removed
  • Open FAIR terms and definitions were clarified

Q: What languages will exams be available in? 

A: Initially the exams will be available in English and English with an ESL (English as a Second Language) time allowance available for eligible candidates. Translations may follow later.

Q: What accredited training courses are available? 

A: The Accredited Training Courses are listed on the Accredited Training Course Register 
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Q: Where can I find an accredited training course near me (or online) for the Open FAIR 2 Foundation certification? 

A: Courses offered by accredited training course providers covering the Open FAIR Foundation are shown on the accredited training calendar, see 
https://training.opengroup.org/calendar/ 
 

Open Badges

Q: What Open Badges are available?

A: The Open FAIR Foundation badge is issued for individuals becoming certified at the foundation level.

Open FAIR Certification

Q: Will my Open FAIR certification expire? 

A: No – Certifications for Open FAIR Foundation do not expire. 

Q: Will Open FAIR training and certification continue against the previous version of the body of knowledge? 

A: Yes – The Open Group will continue to support the Open FAIR Foundation certification based on the previous version of the body of knowledge standard as long as the market needs it.

Q: What is the impact of the latest Open FAIR on my existing Open FAIR Foundation certification? 

A: The Open FAIR certification program has been updated to include a new learning path based on the latest version of The Open FAIR Body of Knowledge; this consists of the  the Risk Analysis (O-RA) Standard, version 2.0.1 and the Risk Taxonomy (O-RT) Standard, version 3.0.1. This is a new and separate certification, and individuals wishing to obtain it will need to take the new exam.

Q: How has the Open FAIR certification evolved? 

A: The certification conformance requirements have been revisited to better address the skillset and competencies needed for risk analysis, and also to improve the learning experience. The examination format has been changed to a more common Foundation examination type now including 40 questions instead of 80. The syllabus now reflects the content of the latest version of the Body of Knowledge.

Q: Has my existing Open FAIR Foundation certification based on the previous version lost its value? 

A: No – The knowledge acquired by obtaining Open FAIR Foundation certification is carried forward — the Open FAIR risk analysis approach still applies.

Q: I am Open FAIR Foundation certified, should I become Open FAIR 2 Foundation certified? 

A:Individuals holding the existing Open FAIR Foundation may choose to update their knowledge and keep up to date with the Open FAIR 2 Foundation learning path. This is optional. If your certification was obtained some years ago, then updating is a good way to keep your knowledge current with the latest versions of the standards in the body of knowledge.

The Open FAIR certification program has been updated to include a new learning path based on a body of knowledge defined from the the Risk Analysis (O-RA) Standard, version 2.0.1 and the Risk Taxonomy (O-RT) Standard, version 3.0.1. This is a new and separate certification, and individuals wishing to obtain it will need to take the new exam.

Q: I am Open FAIR Foundation Certified, how can I become Open FAIR 2 Foundation certified? 

A: There are two possible learning paths via self-study or by attending an Open FAIR Foundation Accredited Training Course that can help prepare for taking and passing the exam leading to the certification.

Q: How much does it cost to become Open FAIR 2 Foundation certified? 

A: Exam fees are here.

Q: Will there be an Open FAIR 2 Level 2 Certification? 

A: There are currently no plans to add an  Open FAIR 2 Level 2 Certification.

 

Exams

Q: When are the new exams available? 

A: They are available at Pearson VUE now.

Q: What exams are there

A: For details see: https://certification.opengroup.org/examinations

Available now 
OGOF-101

Exams can be booked at Pearson VUE: https://home.pearsonvue.com/theopengroup

Q: What is the exam plan for the Open FAIR 2 Foundation Exam?

A: The Foundation exam contains 40 questions aligned to the syllabus as follows:

  • Open FAIR Body of Knowledge Overview 1
  • Basic Risk Concepts 5
  • Risk Taxonomy 14
  • Risk Measurement 4
  • Risk Analysis Methodology and Process 11
  • Risk Analysis Quality Considerations 5

You will have 60 minutes to complete all of the questions. In order to pass the Open FAIR 2 Foundation Exam, you will need to score at least 60%. 

Open FAIR 2 Authorized Trainers

Q: If I am a trainer for an Accredited Training Course provider and want to teach Open FAIR 2 Foundation courses, do I need to become Open FAIR 2 Foundation certified? 

A: Yes. Authorized trainers are expected to have up-to-date knowledge. As an authorized trainer you must pass the Open FAIR 2 Foundation exam.

Q: If I am an existing authorized trainer, how do I become Open FAIR 2 Foundation certified? 

A: Authorized trainers who are Open FAIR Foundation certified are eligible to access the Open FAIR 2 Foundation self-study materials. Please contact your ATC manager to be invited. Once invited you can access from here.

Q: I am developing the courseware for the ATC provider I work for, where do I find the resources (media bundle, practice exams, Learning Studies)?

A: The media bundle can be obtained with the standard. Click here. The practice exams are made available to the ATC manager when accreditation is confirmed.