Credentialing Standard
How ACSA-F Is Earned
The Institute awards designations based on demonstrated capability. ACSA-F is earned through structured evaluation, capstone delivery, and live architecture defense — not attendance or multiple-choice exams.
What ACSA-F signifies
ACSA-F (Autonomous Cloud & Security Architect – Fellow) is a post-nominal designation awarded to Fellows who demonstrate architect-level capability across cloud architecture, automation, security-by-design, operational readiness, and AI governance — and successfully defend their work live.
The designation is intentionally selective to preserve its meaning and employer trust.
ACSA-F holders can:
- Design resilient cloud platforms under constraints
- Deliver via automation-only practices (IaC + CI/CD)
- Integrate security as a foundational architectural constraint
- Build telemetry and signal-quality thinking into designs
- Apply AI with validation guardrails and operational realism
- Defend decisions under direct technical questioning
Evaluation model
Credentialing is built around a unified capstone scenario and a standardized rubric so evaluation remains consistent and scalable.
Unified Capstone
Fellows design and implement an enterprise-grade, secure, AI-enabled multi-tenant SaaS platform under assigned constraints (budget, scale, compliance, region, and threat profile).
Rubric Scoring
Submissions are scored across five domains using consistent levels (missing → architect-level). This creates measurable standards and reviewer repeatability.
Live Defense
Defense evaluates clarity, tradeoffs, security reasoning, failure handling, and composure under questioning. The designation is earned here.
Evaluation domains
Fellows are evaluated across five domains that define modern cloud and security architecture. These domains also power scalable review and consistent standards across cohorts.
- Architecture & Tradeoff Reasoning — boundaries, flows, failure modeling, constraint decisions
- Automation & Delivery Discipline — IaC structure, CI/CD promotion, drift control
- Security-by-Design Integration — IAM, segmentation, threat modeling, blast-radius control
- Operational Resilience & Signal Quality — observability, IR readiness, alert strategy
- AI Governance & Systems Thinking — guardrails, validation, failure modes, privacy
Thresholds and outcomes
The Institute uses performance thresholds to protect standards while keeping the pathway tough but achievable.
Completion
Fellows must meet baseline performance and deliver capstone artifacts to earn a certificate of completion.
Defense eligibility
Only Fellows meeting higher thresholds qualify for defense eligibility. Not all admitted Fellows are eligible.
ACSA-F award
ACSA-F is awarded only after successful defense and meeting designation thresholds. Not all defense candidates earn ACSA-F.
Public directory status
- ACSA-F (Active) — designation earned and currently valid
- ACSA-F (Lapsed) — designation earned but renewal overdue
- Fellow (Completed) — program completed without designation award
The Institute may correct or revoke listings in cases of misrepresentation or credential misuse.
Renewal (every 3 years)
Cloud, security, and AI evolve rapidly. Renewal preserves the credibility of the designation and ensures ACSA-F holders remain current in modern architecture and operational realities.
Renewal is designed to be lightweight while retaining the Institute’s “defense culture.”
Renewal requirements (choose 2 of 3)
- Continuing Practice Proof — evidence of relevant architecture work (redacted acceptable)
- Short Update Assessment — scenario-based technical update (about 60 minutes)
- Mini Defense — 15-minute decision defense of a real architecture tradeoff
Renewal pricing and instructions are provided to ACSA-F holders in advance of renewal windows.
Ready to be evaluated at architect level?
Apply to the Fellowship. Admission is selective. Designation is earned through capstone and defense.