The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

SFIA Specialist

Dr Blake Curtis

Dr. Blake Curtis is a cybersecurity governance adviser and research scientist whose work bridges science, standards, and real-world execution. His pioneering study, “The Next Generation Cybersecurity Auditor,” leveraged the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) and NIST’s National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) to debunk the long-held 10,000-hour rule and the “years of experience” fallacy—demonstrating that task-based experience is a more objective and predictive measure of capability than tenure alone. This research continues to influence global approaches to workforce development, certification design, and performance evaluation.

Dr Blake Curtis

Blake Curtis is a specialist practitioner consultant based in United States

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginaldblakecurtis/

About Dr Blake Curtis

Dr. Curtis is the author of ISACA’s Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) Official Review Manual, 17th Edition, where he led the modernization of cybersecurity governance, risk management, and incident leadership content to reflect contemporary enterprise realities, AI-driven threats, and executive accountability.

He also serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) Reviewer and Exam Preparation Consultant for ISACA’s Advanced in AI Audit (AAIA) certification, contributing to the development of next-generation assessment models for AI governance, risk, and assurance.

As a key thought leader within the cyber and GRC ecosystem, Dr. Curtis has served in multiple strategic roles, including:

  • Subject Matter Expert for ISACA’s Auditing AI (CISA + AI) Certification Program

  • Emerging Technology Advisory Board Member

  • Global Governance Topic Leader for COBIT and related frameworks

  • Technical Consultant for the Future of ISACA Certifications initiative

In these roles, he has helped reimagine professional certifications by advocating for hands-on assessments, deliberate practice learning models, and micro-course pathways that clearly distinguish declarative (theoretical) knowledge from procedural (demonstrated) competence.

Dr. Curtis is also a co-author and technical editor of ISACA’s Digital Trust Ecosystem Framework (DTEF), a globally adopted model enabling organizations to establish integrity, transparency, and value across digital relationships.

Academically, he completed his master’s degree in just 10 weeks and earned his doctorate in under two years—earning the Distinguished Alumni Award from Western Governors University (WGU) and induction into the National Society of Leadership and Success. His widely read article, “How to Complete Your Master’s Degree in One Semester,” has helped more than 150 students accelerate their academic success through evidence-based learning strategies.

Recognized as a Top 25 Cybersecurity Leader of 2024 and Top 50 Cybersecurity Mentor of 2025, Dr. Curtis has built global assurance and governance programs across government, healthcare, and private sectors. From a scientific perspective, his enduring passion lies in equipping the next generation of professionals through modern pedagogy, spaced repetition, and deliberate practice learning strategies that optimize memory, judgment, and performance.

Active Certifications & Licenses

Cybersecurity & Information Assurance

  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

  • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

  • ISACA Advanced in AI Audit (AAIA)

  • ISACA Advanced in AI Security Management (AAISM)

  • NIST Cybersecurity Framework Professional – Foundation

  • AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

  • Certified Hacking Forensics Investigator (CHFI)

  • Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

  • CompTIA Security+

Governance, Risk, & Compliance (GRC)

  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

  • Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE)

  • Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)

  • Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

  • COBIT®: Implementing the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Using COBIT 2019

  • COBIT®: Designing and Implementing a Governance Framework

  • COBIT®: Foundation

  • COSO Enterprise Risk Management Certification

  • COSO Internal Controls Certification

Organizational & Business Consulting Psychology

  • Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) – Foundation Certification

  • SFIA Accredited Practitioner

  • SFIA Accredited Consultant

Technical Implementation & Operations

  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Server Infrastructure

  • MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure

  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA): Server Infrastructure

  • Certified SAFe® 5 Practitioner

  • Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)

  • CompTIA A+

  • Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL)

Scientific Research & Communication

  • QuestionPro: Research Professional

  • QuestionPro: Research Expert

  • American Copy Editors Society: Certificate in Editing

Leadership & Management

  • Cornell University: Psychology of Leadership

  • NSLS: Foundations of Leadership I

  • NSLS: Foundations of Leadership II

  • NSLS: Advanced Leadership

  • NSLS: Executive Leadership

  • Harvard University: Exercising Leadership – Foundational Principles

Dr. Blake Curtis, Sc.D | LinkedIn