Become a CSP Certified Assessor
Independent assessors play a vital role in strengthening the security of the Swift community.
To support this, Swift launched the CSP Assessor Certification Programme, designed to enhance assessor expertise and standardise assessment practices. The programme is aimed at external assessors from assessment companies as well as internal assessors within Swift customers, and is open to both audiences. It promotes consistency, credibility, and appropriate scoping and effort in CSP independent assessments.
While the Swift CSP Assessor Certification is optional, it helps ensure high‑quality, reliable evaluations aligned with CSP expectations.
Become a CSP Certified Assessor
Benefits
Certified Assessors play a vital role in enhancing the cybersecurity posture of the global financial community.
Swift positions assessors as trusted experts in the field of cybersecurity and compliance. It signals credibility to clients and stakeholders, opening doors to new business opportunities and long-term partnerships.
Additionally, to provide more visibility, CSP supported by an assessment performed by a Swift CSP Certified Assessor will carry a distinct label in the KYC-SA application.
Certified assessors benefit from a closer working relationship with Swift. This collaboration provides access to valuable insights, industry intelligence, and opportunities to contribute to the evolution of the Customer Security Programme (CSP) by participating to dedicated working groups.
Joining the certified pool of assessors means being part of a vetted, high-quality network. This streamlines oversight and quality assurance for both Swift and its users, while also ensuring assessors meet clear, consistent standards.
Distinctions between CSP certification Programmes for External and Internal Assessors
| Topic | External CSP Assessor Certification | Internal CSP Assessor Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Who can apply | External Assessment companies to certify their assessors | Institutions activated on the Swift network with a live BIC to certify their internal staff |
| Goal | Provide external assessments performed by assessors certified by Swift, to any Swift user | Provide internal assessment performed by internal assessors certified by Swift, to any BICs in the same legal hierarchy |
| Registration required |
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| Publication in a dedicated directory on swift.com |
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| Issuance Swift label |
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| Visibility in KYC-SA application |
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| Official Swift certificate |
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Become a Swift CSP Assessment Provider
Registered CSP assessment providers in the Swift Partner Programme will have to meet specific eligibility criteria and employ assessors that have successfully completed the Swift CSP Assessor Certification by passing the corresponding exam.
Registered Swift CSP assessment providers and Swift CSP Certified Assessors will be promoted and visible in the dedicated Swift CSP Certified Assessors Directory (on swift.com) and in the KYC-SA application when the assessor’s name is referred. Specific report templates and effort estimate for standardisation and cost containment are available. Swift CSP Certified External Assessors will be subject to quality assessments by Swift.
6 steps to become an assessment provider
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1. Create a swift.com user account
If your organisation is new to Swift, a swift.com user account is required to be created (ideally by the person who will be the contact person for this process). This will grant access to the relevant application forms that are required to be submitted.
How to create a swift.com user account
- If you already have a swift.com user account, continue reading from step 2.
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2. Read the Assessment Providers and Certified Assessors Framework
Carefully read document and ensure you have understood the details and eligibility criteria.
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3. Submit a business interest form
Complete and submit a Partner Business Interest Form (please choose Swift CSP Assessor Certification as Business Interest) to provide details about your experience in the field of delivering cyber security assessments.
If you are already a registered provider, please provide your PIC (Partner Identification Code) in the Business Interest Form.
Swift will review your request and confirms acceptance or rejection.
If you already have a PIC (Partner Identifier Code), continue reading from step 4.
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4. Submit the registration form
Once Swift has confirmed your registration in the Partner Programme, you will be required to complete and submit the Swift CSP Certified Assessors Registration form.
You will be asked to provide the names and current certifications of the assessors you wish to certify.
Once you are confirmed as a Swift CSP Assessment Provider, Swift will list you in the Swift CSP Assessment Providers and Certified Assessors Directory with the mention “Under certification”
The submission of this form will trigger the billing process, as per details of Swift CSP Assessment Providers and Certified Assessors Framework document.By submitting the registration form, you agree to the Terms and Conditions that apply. For more information please refer to the Swift CSP Assessment Provider and Certified Assessor Framework and the Swift Partner Programme T&C.
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5. Certify your individuals
The assessors from the applicant provider will need to take and pass the exam as laid down in the Swift CSP Assessment Providers and Certified Assessors Framework.
For more information on the assessor certification process, please refer to "become a Swift CSP External Certified Assessor" section.
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6. Get listed
Once you are confirmed as a Swift CSP Assessment Provider, Swift will list you in the Swift CSP Assessment Providers and Certified Assessors Directory with the mention “Staff certification in progress” until you have finalised the onboarding process, including the certification of your assessors..
Once the requirement requirement are met, your listing in the directory on swift.com will be updated to reflect the number of Swift CSP Certified Assessors. You will also receive the label and certificate and get listed in KYC-SA.
Become a Swift CSP External Certified Assessor
As a pre-requisite, please verify that the provider you work for has successfully completed the steps under How to become a Swift CSP Assessment Provider.
5 steps to become an external certified assessor
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1. Prepare for the exam
Prepare for the exam by following the recommended Swift CSP Certified Assessor training modules on Swift Smart.
The resources and study guidelines to prepare for the exam are available under Swift Smart’s Swift CSP Assessors Certification.
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2. Take the exam
Swift will provide you with a unique eligibility key to schedule your exam appointment at Prometric (at one of the test centres worldwide or via their remote exam option). The eligibility key is valid for 6 months after creation.
Swift will inform you via email of the pass/fail grade of your exam.
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3. Get listed
Once the onboarding requirements of the applicant provider are met:
- You will receive the dedicated Swift CSP Certified Assessor label
- You will be listed as Swift CSP Certified Assessor (under the record of your provider) in the Swift CSP Assessment Providers and Certified Assessors Directory on swift.com.
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4. Remain compliant with the Framework T&C
After having passed the certification exam, it is required to maintain an adequate level of relevant knowledge to perform your CSP assessments.
For more information, please refer to the Swift CSP Assessment Providers and Certified Assessors Framework framework.
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5. Update information, add or remove a certified assessor
Whenever needed, you can add/remove Swift CSP Certified External Assessors by submitting the CSP Assessor Certification Maintenance form (possible impact on the annual maintenance fee is detailed on the form itself).
To terminate your subscription as an assessment provider, use the same form.A Swift.com profile linked to your PIC is needed to access the maintenance form. To register on swift.com, click here
For help, see the swift.com registration and administration user guide and the related Knowledge Base article
Find assessment providers in your region
Become a Swift CSP Internal Certified Assessor
Should you decide to use an internal independent assessors, you can ensure that your internal independent CSP Assessments are done while guaranteeing a high level of expertise and adherence to the required methodology. To meet this need, Swift offers a Swift CSP Internal Assessor Certification Programme tailored specifically for Swift Users.
While participation is optional, this certification guarantees that internal assessors adhere to the CSP standards. Good news is that in KYC-Security Attestation application, it will also be visible that an internal assessment was conducted by Swift CSP Certified Assessors. However, please note that Swift CSP Internal Certified Assessors will not receive a formal label nor be included in a public directory, as the intent is not to offer certified assessment services to third parties but well to all BICs falling under your entity legal hierarchy.
6 steps to become an internal certified assessor
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1. Ensure your swift.com account is linked to your BIC
Verify that your account is correctly linked to your BIC.
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2. Read the Assessment Providers and Certified Assessors Framework
Carefully read document and ensure you have understood the details and eligibility criteria.
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3. Submit the registration form
Complete and submit the Swift CSP Internal Certified Assessors registration form.
Complete the registration form
You will be asked to provide the names, contact details, and valid industry recognised cyber-security (including assessments/audit related content) certifications (refer to 2.2.1. listing industry relevant Information Security certification in the Swift CSP Assessor Certification Framework) of the individual internal assessors you wish to certify.
The submission of this form will trigger a validation process. Upon successful validation, Swift will initiate the creation of a contract and the billing process, as per details in the Swift CSP Assessment Providers and Certified Assessors Framework framework.
By submitting the registration form, you agree to the Terms and Conditions that apply. For more information, please refer to the Swift CSP Assessment Certification Framework.
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4. Certify your individuals
The individual assessors will be required to take and pass the exam as laid down in the Swift CSP Assessment Certification Framework.
Prepare for the exam
Prepare for the exam by following the recommended Swift CSP Certified Assessor training modules in Swift Smart. The resources and the study guidelines to prepare for the exam are available under the Swift Smart’s Swift CSP Assessors Certification.
You can also find in the Swift Knowledge Centre the key documents to prepare for the exam. Those documents will also be available during the exam (as being open book).
Additionally, you may visit the Swift Training Catalogue to sign up for CSP Assessor bootcamps, to build a strong CSP foundation and enhance your Swift knowledge and expertise. This will significantly enhance your chances of passing the exam. There are virtual sessions and physical sessions - please navigate using the top menu of the training catalogue to find the different available sessions.
Take the exam
Swift will provide you with a unique eligibility key to schedule your exam appointment at Prometric (at one of the test centres worldwide or via their remote exam option). The eligibility key is valid for 6 months after creation. Swift will inform you via email of the pass/fail grade of your exam.
Get visibility as Swift CSP Internal Certified Assessor
Once you have certified individual assessors, they will get visibility in the KYC-Security Attestation application, when their name is specified as having performed your internal assessment.
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5. Remain compliant with the Framework T&C
After having passed the certification exam, it is required to maintain an adequate level of relevant knowledge to perform your CSP assessments.
For more information, please refer to the "Swift CSP Certified Assessor Continued Compliance of the framework" document.
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6. Update information, add or remove an assessor
You can add/remove Swift CSP Certified Assessors by contacting us (possible impact on the annual maintenance fee).