ISPS & Company Security Officer (CSO)
Online Course
Become a certified Company Security Officer in just 20 hours. A fully online course following the IMO model course, covering every subject required of the person performing the CSO role.
The CSO role, taught to the IMO model course
This is a fully online CSO course following the IMO model course. It covers all of the subjects instructed by the IMO and is key to ensuring that those persons performing the role of the Company Security Officer fully understand their duties and responsibilities.
The course gives you the essential education and training required to be certified as a Company Security Officer and to meet the requirements set out in the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
You can enter and exit the course as often as you require — it is entirely self-paced, with no requirement to attend a classroom at any stage, including the final assessment.
Twenty hours, ten chapters, entirely online
This course follows the IMO model course and covers every subject required of the person performing the CSO role.
Confirmation questions close each chapter, the final assessment is proctored online with no classroom to attend, and you keep access to all materials for six months.
Certified training without the travel, the hotel or the time off work
A classroom CSO course costs you more than its fee: flights, accommodation, meals and days away from the office. This programme is delivered entirely online, at your own pace, with six months of access to every chapter and the course manual.
A hardcopy certificate is posted to your address free of charge on successful completion.
On completion of this course, you will be able to:
These objectives reflect the formal learning outcomes established in the course syllabus.
- ✓Master the development and implementation of a Ship Security Plan (SSP).
- ✓Conduct effective security risk assessments.
- ✓Implement and maintain maritime security measures.
- ✓Manage shipboard security equipment and systems.
- ✓Enhance security awareness and crew preparedness.
Ten chapters, confirmation questions and a final assessment
Each chapter closes with multiple-choice confirmation questions. The course includes the course manual and a final assessment. Select a chapter to read its scope.
01Security Policies
Maritime security policy and the regulatory framework: SOLAS chapter XI-2, the ISPS Code, Contracting Governments, Designated Authorities and Recognized Security Organizations, plus a historical overview of the threats that shaped them.
02Responsibilities
The security responsibilities of the company, the CSO, the SSO, the Master, the PFSO and shipboard personnel, including delegated authority, reporting lines and the CSO's fleet-wide duties.
03Security Assessment
Conducting the Ship Security Assessment: on-scene security survey, identification of key shipboard operations, threat identification, vulnerability and consequence assessment, and recording the assessment.
04Equipment
Security equipment and systems: access control and surveillance equipment, the Ship Security Alert System, AIS and LRIT, operation, testing, calibration, maintenance and limitations.
05Ship Security Plan
Developing, submitting, approving and maintaining the Ship Security Plan: required content, restricted-area procedures, confidentiality, amendments, audits and the records the plan generates.
06Threat Identification
Recognition and detection of weapons, dangerous substances and devices; recognition of characteristics and behavioural patterns of persons who are likely to threaten security; techniques used to circumvent security measures.
07Security Actions
Ship security actions at security levels 1, 2 and 3: access control, restricted areas, cargo and stores handling, unaccompanied baggage, monitoring, and the Declaration of Security with port facilities.
08Emergencies
Emergency preparedness, drills and exercises: response to security threats or breaches, piracy and armed robbery, stowaways, bomb threats, coordination with authorities and post-incident reporting.
09Administration
Security administration: documentation and records, internal audits, non-conformities and corrective action, verification and certification, and the International Ship Security Certificate.
10Training
Security training, drills and exercises for shipboard and shore-based personnel: training requirements, competence records, awareness building and maintaining readiness across the fleet.
The programme closes with the final assessment, course feedback and your certificate.
A course meeting all of the requirements
Every subject instructed by the IMO for the CSO role is covered, from historical perspective through to security administration and training.
Download the official course syllabus for the full subject breakdown. Revision 7, 2026.
This course is for professionals who need the essential education and training to be certified as a Company Security Officer and to meet the requirements set out in the ISPS Code. There are no pre-requisites.
Globally recognized & industry approved
Virtual Maritime Academy is a DNV Certified Maritime Training Provider; this course is a DNV Certified Learning Programme in accordance with DNV ST-0008 and is accredited by The CPD Group, awarding 20 CPD credits.
DNV Certified Learning Programme
20 CPD creditsActivity #1015409
CPD Approved Provider #783378Proctored online, with a passing mark of 70%
There are multiple-choice questions to complete at the end of each chapter and a final assessment. The final assessment is fully online with no need to attend a classroom, and a proctor will be assigned to monitor you throughout.
As required by Transport Canada, DNV and The CPD Group, you must complete a short online verification form from within the course, including a scanned copy of an official government-issued photo ID. Your hardcopy certificate is then posted to your address free of charge.
Conforms to the instruments you work to
The online CSO course is internationally accepted. It includes the 2010 Manila Amendments of the STCW Convention and Code 1978, as amended.
Take on the CSO role with confidence
The Company Security Officer is accountable for the ship security assessment, the Ship Security Plan, the security equipment onboard, the drills and the awareness of every crew member — across the whole fleet.
This course gives you the knowledge, the certification and the practical procedures required to carry that responsibility — completed entirely online, in approximately 20 hours, at your own pace.