Applications and Nominations Now Closed

The Fellow Program recognizes sustained membership and contributions to the profession. No more than 1% of members may hold Distinguished Fellow status at any given time. Fellow status will be limited to a maximum of 2% of the membership.

Become a Senior Member

Any member can achieve Senior Member status, the first step in the Fellow Program. What are the criteria?

• 5 years of ISSA membership
• 10 years relevant professional experience

How to Apply

• Complete the fields in the Senior Member application 
• Upload your stand-alone resume
• Have your chapter endorse your application online

Familiarize yourself with the Fellow Program, and the submission guidelines. If you have questions, contact Fellow@issa.org or call 866 349 5818 (US toll free), + 1 206 388 4584 (international), extension 104.

Fellow and Distinguished Fellow

Have you led an information security team or project for five or more years? Do you have at least eight years of ISSA membership and served for three years in a leadership role (as a chapter officer or Board member or in an International role)? You may be eligible to become an ISSA Fellow or Distinguished Fellow. Please consult the Fellow Program Guidelines and use the current forms to ensure you comply with all requirements.

Fellow Qualifications

• 8 years of association membership
• 3 years of volunteer leadership in the association
• 5 years of significant performance in the profession such as substantial job responsibilities in leading a team or project, performing research with some measure of success or faculty developing and teaching courses

Distinguished Fellow Qualifications

• 12 years association membership
• 5 years of sustained volunteer leadership in the association
• 10 years of documented exceptional service to the security community and a significant contribution to security posture or capability

Apply Online

A candidate for Fellow or Distinguished Fellow must be nominated by an active Fellow Program member of comparable or higher rank (see list below), chapter president or sitting member of the International Board of Directors.

Nominators are responsible for ensuring that all components of the nomination package are submitted in a timely manner. The package includes:

• Official online nomination form for Fellow or Distinguished Fellow completed by the nominator. The nomination itself is considered a letter of recommendation and should fully describe the candidate’s activities, contributions and ongoing influence.
• Fellow or Distinguished Fellow application completed by the nominee
• Stand-alone Resume with dates and depth of experience
• Photo
• Additional letters of recommendation are not required, but candidates may submit up to two (2) recommendation letters from individuals who are otherwise qualified as nominators, including chapter presidents, Fellows, Distinguished Fellows and sitting members of the ISSA International Board of Directors. A second letter of recommendation (other than the nomination form) from the member making the nomination will not be accepted.