Company Security Officer (CSO) Online Course

Become a Certified Company Security Officer in Just 20 Hours ⏱

CSO-2

Get Your CSO Training Certificate Today!

Price: $775, 12 Months of access

Possibly the most informative, fully-online CSO courses, following the IMO model course and available anywhere. This course covers all the required subjects as 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.

Why Choose Virtual Maritime Academy?
Feature Virtual Maritime Academy Other Institutions
Delivery Mode ✅ 100% Online, Self-Paced ❌ Fixed Schedule, In-Person
Certification ✅ DNV-Certified, CPD Credits ❌ Often not globally recognized
Access Period ✅ 12 Months Access ❌ Limited or fixed access
Support ✅ 24/7 Learner Support ❌ Office hours only
Cost Savings ✅ No Travel • No Hotel • No Time Off Work ❌ Extra costs for travel, hotel, meals, and downtime
Total Investment ✅ Single transparent fee ❌ Higher overall cost

Course Information

Estimated Time: 20 Hours

Difficulty: Advanced

Categories:

Get Your CSO Training Certificate Today!

Price: $775, 12 Months of access

Globally Recognized & Industry Approved

Training you can trust — certified, accredited, and respected by maritime professionals worldwide.

DNV Certified DNV Certified Learning
+1,000Maritime Professionals Trained
CPD Accredited CPD Accredited
50+Countries Represented
IMO Standards ISPS Code Standards Aligned
100+Companies Served

This course is for:

To give the essential education and training to get certified as a Company Security Officer and meeting the requirements set out in the following the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

Approved Training Courses:

Virtual Maritime Academy, a DNV Certified Maritime Training Provider, this course is  DNV Certified Learning Programme in accordance with DNV ST-0008. Additionally, Virtual Maritime Academy is recognized as an institution approved for Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This course has been  awards 20 CPD credits. It is globally accepted.

Qualification:

Under the International Ship & Port Security (ISPS) Code qualification

Prerequisite:

No Pre-Requisites

Why Enroll in This Course?

Gain recognized credentials, master ISPS CSO responsibilities, and boost your maritime career with practical, standards-aligned training.

Certification Icon

Globally Recognized Certification

Receive a DNV-Certified & CPD Accredited credential, aligned with IMO standards.

Flexibility Icon

100% Online & Self-Paced

Learn anytime, anywhere with 12 months access to all materials.

Expertise Icon

Industry-Leading Expertise

Benefit from training designed by seasoned maritime compliance professionals.

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24/7 Learner Support

Get help whenever you need it from our maritime training team.

Get Your CSO Training Certificate Today!

Price: $775, 12 Months of access

Regulations, Code, Convention Addressed:

The International Ship & Port Security (ISPS) Code.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Master the Development and Implementation of a Ship Security Plan (SSP);
  2. Observe Effective Security Risk Assessments;
  3. Implement and Maintain Maritime Security Measures;
  4. How to Manage Shipboard Security Equipment and Systems; and
  5. Enhance Security Awareness and Crew Preparedness.

Course Structure:

The CSO course is fully online and consists of:

  • Ten chapters and the final assessment & course feedback.
  • Confirmation questions after each chapter.
  • Course Manual.
  • A Final Course Assessment.

Assessment:

There are multi-choice questions to complete at the end of each chapter and a final assessment. The passing mark is 70%. The Final Assessment is fully online and no need to attend any classroom. A Proctor will be assigned to you to monitor you during your Final Assessment. You will need a computer(not a tablet or Chromebook) with a webcam and an ok internet speed for your Final Assessment.  If for any reason you do not pass with a mark of at least 70% of your Final Assessment there is a fee a 75$ + applicable taxes to re-attempt the Final Assessment.

Final Assessment Equipment Requirements

  1. Device: A desktop computer or laptop is necessary with a Webcam and microphone. The Final Assessment is not compatible with tablets, cell phones, or Chromebooks.
  2. Operating System: Windows 10 or later, Mac OS X 11 or later
  3. Web Browser: Google Chrome v39 or later or Mozilla Firefox v34 or later
  4. Internet Connection: 3 Mbps or better for upload and download speed
  5. Hardware: 8GB or more of RAM, Microphone and speakers, Webcam

Length:

Approximately 20 hours.

You can enter and exit this course as often as you require.

Delivery:

The course is 100% online and no requirement to attend a test in a classroom.

Student Verification Requirements:

As required by Transport Canada, DNV, and the CPD Group, students must complete a simple online verification form accessible from within the course. This includes submitting a scanned copy of an official government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s license.

Training Certification:

The online CSO Course is internationally accepted.  It includes the 2010 Manila Amendments of the STCW Convention and Code 1978, as amended.

Certificate:

A hardcopy will be posted to your address free of charge.

Online Course Subjects:

A course meeting with all the requirements.

  • Historical Perspective
  • Current Security threats and patterns
  • Maritime Security Policy
  • Security Responsibilities
  • Ship Security Assessment and On-Scene Inspection
  • Security Equipment
  • Ship Security Plan
  • Threat Identification
  • Ship Security Actions
  • Emergency Preparedness, Drills & Exercises
  • Security Administration
  • Security Training
  • And the list can continue……..
  • Download the Official Course Syllabus HERE

Revision : 5, 2025

F.A.Q.

You get 12 months of unlimited access to all course materials, quizzes, and resources.

No formal prerequisites. This course is ideal for seafarers, shore-based staff, and safety managers.

Yes. The course is 100% online and self-paced, allowing you to fit learning into your schedule.

Absolutely. You’ll receive a DNV-Certified and CPD Accredited certificate upon completion.

Yes. As long as you have an internet connection, you can complete this training from anywhere in the world.

Get Your CSO Training Certificate Today!

Course Progress

0%

Lessons

  • CSO Course Introduction
    • Virtual Maritime Academy Course Introduction
    • About the CSO Course
    • Final Assessment Information
    • Program Certification Process
    • Course Notes
    • Course Notices
    • Student Verification
    • Student ID Form
    • Let’s Start
  • Historical Overview
    • Historical perspective
    • Current security threats and partterns
  • Chapter 1 – Security Policies
    • Chapter 1 Objectives
    • International Conventions & Codes
    • Gouvernment Legislation / Regulations
    • Definitions
    • Sensitive security-related information
  • Chapter 2 – Responsibilities
    • Objectives
    • Governments
    • Recognized Security Organizations
    • The company
    • The Ship
    • The Port Facility
    • The Ship Security Officer
    • The Company Security Officer
    • The Port Facility Security Officer
    • Shipboard Personnel
    • Port Facility Personnel
    • Other Personnel
  • Chapter 3 – Security Assessment
    • Objectives
    • Risk Assessment
    • Assessment Tools
    • On-Scene inspection
    • Assessment Documentation
  • Chapter 4 – Equipment
    • Objectives
    • Equipment & Systems & Limitations
    • Testing, Calibration & Maintenance
  • Chapter 5 – Ship Security Plan
    • Objectives
    • Why the SSP
    • Content of the SSP
    • Confidentiality Issues
    • Development of the SSP
    • Approval of the SSP
    • Implementation of the SSP
    • Update of the SSP
  • Chapter 6 – Threat identification
    • Objectives
    • Potential risk
    • Recognition of threats
    • Detection
    • Searches
    • Methods of searches
    • Circumvent security measures
    • Crowd management
  • Chapter 7 – Security Actions
    • Objectives
    • Action for security levels
    • Maintaining security
    • Declaration of Security
    • Security Procedures
  • Chapter 8 – Emergencies
    • Objectives
    • Contingency planning
    • Drills & Exercises
  • Chapter 9 – Administration
    • Objectives
    • Documentations & Records
    • Reporting
    • Monitoring
    • Audits & Inspections
    • Nonconformities
  • Chapter 10 – Training
    • Objectives
    • Training Requirements
    • Techniques
  • Final Assessment
    • Final Check
    • Final Assessment
    • Final Assessment Request
    • Student Feedback
    • What Next?
  • Certificate
    • Certification
    • Thank You!

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