Formal Appeals Policy

This policy outlines the process for requesting a formal appeal related to certification decisions made by CyberDefenders.

Certification holders may request reconsideration of decisions related to certification-related formal sanctions issued by the CyberDefenders certification body (an “appeal”).

Formal sanctions are the mechanism through which CyberDefenders makes decisions that affect an individual’s certification status or eligibility. Appeals may only be submitted for actions related to violations of CyberDefenders Certification Policies and Guidelines.

To protect the integrity of our certification process and ensure a fair experience for all candidates, CyberDefenders does not disclose details of investigative findings. Such information will only be released if required by a valid legal request issued by a public authority or court with jurisdiction over the CyberDefenders legal entity.

Evidence from an investigation will not be shared as part of the appeals process.

Appeals must be submitted in writing through the official CyberDefenders Appeals Form and must follow the instructions provided in the form.

Only formal sanctions issued by CyberDefenders are eligible for appeal.

The appeals process does not apply to:

Appeals must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the sanction issuance.

All relevant information should be included at the time of submission.

If an appeal is submitted on behalf of a minor, a written statement from the minor must be included, explaining why the decision should be reconsidered.

Appeals submitted after the 30-day period will not be accepted.

All appeals are reviewed, investigated, and submitted to the Certification Committee for final resolution.

CyberDefenders maintains an independent Certification Committee to ensure fair and impartial decision-making. Individuals involved in handling the appeal are separate from those involved in the original decision.

Appeals will be acknowledged within 48 business hours of receipt. The appellant will receive updates on the status of the appeal throughout the process.

The appeals process is managed by a CyberDefenders Certification Operations team member who is independent of the original case. This representative is responsible for collecting, reviewing, and submitting all relevant documentation to the Certification Committee.

Appeals are resolved within 30 calendar days of receipt.

Once a decision is reached, the outcome will be communicated via email and will include:

All decisions are final, and the case will be closed upon resolution.

To submit an appeal, please use the official form below:
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