Problem: We live in an always-connected world, in which absolutely everything is done online. In today's world, data protection is no longer optional, for either individuals or corporations, making cyber security a growing strand of computer science research. Cyber security jobs in the US grew by 74% between 2007 and 2013. Corporations are constantly looking for well-qualified cyber security professionals to help keep their company's secure. Certifications are well-known and frequently utilized in the IT industry. Take a moment to consider popular cyber security-related IT certifications. How does a certification verify the skills of an individual? What value is presented to the certified individual?