Cybersecurity (also known as computer security or information security) is the activity of securing computers, networks, and data from theft, damage, loss, or unwanted access.

As our interconnectedness grows, so will the chances for evil actors to steal, destroy, or disrupt. A growth in cybercrime has increased the demand for cybersecurity personnel. The job outlook is predicted to expand by 32% between 2022 and 2032.

While most cybersecurity professionals have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, many employers prefer individuals with certifications to prove an understanding of best practices. There are hundreds of certification options, ranging from generic to vendor-specific, entry-level to advanced.

Before you spend money and effort on a certification, make sure it will provide you with a competitive advantage in your field. Here are the amount of US job advertisements on three different job sites that require certain cybersecurity qualifications. As of July 31, 2024, these cybersecurity certificates appeared in the most job postings on LinkedIn, Indeed, and Simply Hired combined.

If you’re new to cybersecurity, consider obtaining an entry-level credential such as the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate. You can develop job-ready skills while receiving a shareable certificate from an industry leader.

1. CompTIA Security+

The CompTIA Security+ certification verifies that you possess the fundamental abilities required for any cybersecurity function, especially if you are a novice or aspiring cybersecurity professional. Obtaining this certification will indicate to employers that you can assess an organization’s security, comprehend risk and compliance rules and regulations, identify and respond to computer security issues, and monitor and secure Internet of Things, mobile, and cloud environments.

The CompTIA Security+ exam requires the CompTIA Network+ certification and two years of experience in IT administration with a focus on security, or two years of experience working as a security/systems administrator.

Cost: $392

2. ISACA Cybersecurity Fundamentals

The ISACA Cybersecurity Fundamentals certification guarantees that you understand cybersecurity principles and the critical role cybersecurity professionals play in protecting their organizations’ infrastructures and data. This certification is suitable for students/recent graduates, IT professionals, teams, and anybody else looking to improve their understanding of cybersecurity principles. ISACA also provides online, on-demand group training that corporations may tailor to the needs and goals of their teams.

The exam does not require any prerequisites. It focuses on asset security, information security basics, the threat landscape, and security operations and response.

Cost: $160 for members and $220 for non-members

3. GIAC Security Essentials

The GIAC Security Essentials certification is one of the top cybersecurity credentials for beginners, particularly for those with prior networking and information systems experience.

This certification indicates your ability to work in hands-on IT systems cyber security responsibilities. It certifies your understanding of information security “beyond simple terminology and concepts.”

To take the GIAC Security Essentials certification test, you must have completed the GIAC Security Essentials course or have comparable information security knowledge and expertise. GIAC recommended that you have at least two years of experience in information security (IS) or a related subject before to taking the exam.

Cost: Practitioner Certifications, $949; Applied Knowledge Certifications, $1,299

4. AWS Certified Security – Specialty

The AWS Certified Security – Specialty certification is a specialist credential that confirms competency in creating and implementing security solutions within the AWS cloud environment, and we believe it is one of the best cyber security qualifications.

Holders of this certification exhibit experience in handling AWS-specific security components, such as the shared responsibility model, security controls, and logging and monitoring mechanisms. They are also knowledgeable with securing AWS workloads with third-party solutions such as encryption, backup systems, and identity management.

Read Also: Cybersecurity for Small Businesses: Why it Matters

While there are no official requirements, Amazon suggests that candidates have at least five years of IT security experience, including two years of hands-on experience with AWS. It is also recommended that candidates obtain the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional or AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate credentials before taking the AWS Certified Security – Specialty exam. This certification is appropriate for security architects and professionals who want to improve their skills in safeguarding AWS workloads and unique data categories, as well as knowing AWS’ data protection methods and secure internet protocol implementation in the AWS Cloud.

Cost: $300

5. Certified Information Systems Security Professional

ISC2 offers the Certified Information Systems Security Professional, an advanced certification for experienced security managers, practitioners, and executives. This certification demonstrates that you can effectively design, deploy, and manage a cybersecurity program.

To be eligible for this certification, you must have five or more years of cumulative paid work experience in at least two of the following cybersecurity areas: security and risk management; asset security; security architecture and engineering; communication and network security; identity and access management; security assessment and testing; security operations; and software development security.

However, suppose you don’t have the full five years’ experience. In that case, you can satisfy one year of work experience with a four-year computer science degree or an additional credential from the ISC2-approved list. Part-time work experience and paid or unpaid internships are also acceptable.

Cost: $749

6. Certified Information Systems Auditor

The Certified Information Systems Auditor certification from the ISACA helps external and internal cybersecurity auditors demonstrate their proficiency in evaluating security vulnerabilities, designing and deploying controls, and reporting on compliance. This certification is best if you’re a professional security engineer moving into auditing or a dedicated auditor wanting to become certified.

You need five or more years of experience in information security auditing, control, security, or assurance. You can substitute a two-year degree for one year of experience and a four-year degree for two years of experience.

Cost: $575 for members; $760 for non-members

7. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification, offered by (ISC)², focuses on cloud security, requiring IT professionals to have at least five years of experience in information technology, including three years in information security and one year in CCSP domains. These domains cover cloud concepts, architecture, data security, platform and infrastructure security, application security, security operations, and legal compliance.

Full-time, part-time, or internships count toward experience, and CISSP holders can substitute their expertise. The CCSP exam comprises 125 questions, with a passing score of 700 out of 1,000. It opens doors to roles like cloud architect and security analyst, with a vendor-neutral approach applicable in diverse cloud environments, enhancing career prospects in cloud security.

Cost: $599

8. Certified Ethical Hacker

EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (C|EH) certification verifies your skills in attack detection, vectors, penetration testing, and prevention. As a candidate for this certification, you’ll learn about the most recent hacking tactics and tools, as well as how to lawfully hack a business and expose security issues. You must have received official training or have at least two years of experience in information security.

This is one of the top cybersecurity certificates for security professionals who want to obtain hands-on experience with ethical hacking and pen testing before moving on to more advanced qualifications.

Cost: From $950 to $1,119, depending on how and where you complete the exam.

9. Certified Information Security Manager

ISACA’s Certified Information Security Manager credential certifies your risk assessment, governance, and incident response skills as an information security manager. This advanced certification shows that you have the necessary knowledge and experience to create and manage an information security program. It’s designed for cybersecurity professionals who aspire to advance to team leader positions.

This exam requires at least five years of professional experience in information security management. This criteria can be waived for up to two years if you have general information security experience, another active certification, or a graduate degree in an information security-related subject.

Cost: $575 for members; $760 for non-members

10. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification is a prominent credential developed for professionals who want to demonstrate their proficiency in penetration testing. Offensive Security created and administers this certification, which examines practical skills in penetration testing by requiring applicants to effectively attack and compromise several real devices in a controlled lab setting.

Notably, the OSCP exam is practical, requiring candidates to carry out vulnerability exploits on target systems. While there are no strict requirements, candidates are encouraged to have knowledge equivalent to that of a Certified Information Security Professional (CISSP), a solid foundation in security, programming skills in languages such as Java, C, and Python, and the ability to research, verify, and demonstrate patience and concentration while completing various tasks within 48 hours.

OSCP certification is regarded as the gold standard among penetration testing professionals. It can lead to a variety of professions in cybersecurity, such as security analyst, penetration tester, malware analyst, and more. It distinguishes individuals by displaying real understanding of offensive strategies as well as the capacity to recognize flaws and develop effective solutions.

Cost: $799

11. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

The Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) certification is beneficial to mid-career professionals working in IT/IS audit, risk management, and cybersecurity. This certification provides workers with the necessary abilities to properly manage information security threats.

Candidates must follow the Code of Professional Ethics and the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) policy. To maintain their certification, CRISC-certified professionals must earn at least 20 contact hours per year or 120 contacts over three years, according to the CPE policy. CRISC certification can greatly improve employment opportunities, with certified people frequently earning more than $146,000 per year, making it an important credential in IT risk management and information systems control.

Cost: $595

12. Systems Security Certified Practitioner

The System Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) certification is ISC2’s intermediate security certificate. It exhibits your ability to implement, manage, and administer a secure IT environment. The exam evaluates your knowledge of security operations and administration, access controls, risk identification, monitoring and analysis, incident response and recovery, cryptography, network and communications security, and systems and application security. This certification is for IT professionals who work directly with their company’s security systems or assets.

To take this exam, you must have at least one year of work experience in one of the assessment categories. These criteria can alternatively be met by obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s degree in cybersecurity.

Cost: $249

13. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner

The CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner certification is intended for experienced cybersecurity professionals, such as security architects and senior security engineers, who are not yet managers but are responsible for managing and improving their organization’s cybersecurity readiness. This certification validates your competence to plan and implement the solutions required to prepare your organization for any cyberattack.

The test includes advanced topics such security architecture, operations, governance, risk & compliance, security engineering, and cryptography.

CompTIA recommends ten or more years of general hands-on IT experience, and at least five years of comprehensive hands-on security experience.

Cost: $494

14. Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate

The Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate certification is designed for security analysts who work in security operations centers (SOCs) for major corporations and organizations. This certification program is intended to validate SOC teams’ day-to-day tactical knowledge and skills for detecting and responding to cybersecurity threats.

It addresses a variety of topics, including security concepts, security monitoring, host-based analysis, network intrusion analysis, and security policies and procedures. While there are no hard prerequisites for the Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate exam, applicants should have a basic understanding of networking principles, making it appropriate for both novice and seasoned security analysts. The certification helps people improve their cybersecurity skills and is especially useful for those who want to flourish in SOC environments.

Cost: $300

15. GIAC Certified Incident Handler

The GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) certification confirms that you have the knowledge, expertise, and skills to detect, respond to, and resolve cybersecurity problems. This certification is required for anybody involved in incident response, including incident management teams, security practitioners, system administrators, security architects, and any security professional who is the initial responder to a cyberattack or breach.

The test covers incident management, computer crime investigation, computer and network hacker exploits, and hacker tools. Although no formal qualifications exist for taking the GCIH exam, practical work experience is recommended.

Cost: $949

16. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA, a nonprofit trade association, offers the Security+ credential as an entry-level cybersecurity qualification. For IT professionals, it’s frequently their first information security certification. As a more competitive applicant, you might find more work chances if you can demonstrate to potential employers that you possess the fundamental abilities needed for a cybersecurity post.

For good reason, the most sought-after certification for cybersecurity specialists is the CompTIA Security+. It focuses on practical, hands-on security skills across six core areas. You can gain a wide range of practical information and abilities necessary to manage security crises in the actual world by preparing for the exam. The domains and subjects covered on the exam are listed below:

• Threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities: This includes social engineering attacks, newer denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and vulnerabilities found in Internet of Things (IoT) and embedded devices.

• Architecture and design: Expect focus on enterprise, cloud, and hybrid environments.

• Implementation: This domain covers topics like identity and access management, cryptography, end-to-end security, and public key infrastructure (PKI).

• Operations and incident response: This section tests your knowledge of incident response procedures, including threat detection, security controls, risk mitigation, and digital forensics.

• Governance, risk, and compliance: Make sure to understand major risk and compliance regulations, including HIPAA, GDPR, SOC, NIST, CCPA, FISMA, and PCI-DSS.

A time and financial commitment is frequently necessary to pass the Security+ examination. Your own career objectives will determine the return on your investment. Including a certification like the Security+ on your resume could provide you an advantage over other candidates when you apply for jobs if you’re interested in a career in cybersecurity.

However, there can also be additional advantages. You may improve your cybersecurity abilities and boost your confidence in your ability to manage real-world security risks by studying for the exam.

17. Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK)

A well-known certificate created by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) is the CCSK. It stands for the level of expertise needed to operate in cloud security. This test evaluates your knowledge of Identity and Access Management (IAM) best practices, application security, cloud incident response, data encryption, Security as a Service (SecaaS), and secure technologies.

Because every company has various technology and security requirements, you might need to supplement the CCSK knowledge base with additional training tailored to your particular work. But the CCSK certificate’s purpose is to symbolize the knowledge needed to work in cloud security for any organization or platform.

The fundamentals of both tactical and strategic cloud security are covered in the CCSK. Since the course material for this credential is vendor-neutral, the skills learned should be applicable to any cloud security job path. This is quite advantageous if you want to work in information security since you can work for most firms, regardless of the platforms and technologies they utilize. As opposed to if the credential was vendor-specific, this can greatly ease your transition between fields and businesses and increase your work options.

When you take the CCSK exam, the material focuses on completing 14 key topic areas over 90 minutes. There are 60 questions contained within the open-book exam, but the questions require you to think critically.

The material on the exam breaks down into the following categories:

• Data security and encryption
• Information governance
• Infrastructure security
• Compliance and audit management
• Virtualization and containers
• Security as a service
• Cloud computer concepts and architecture
• Legal issues, electronic discovery, and contracts
• Management plane and business continuity
• Incident response
• Application security
• Identify, entitlement, and access management
• Governance and enterprise risk management
• Related technologies (big data, Internet of Things, mobile, serverless computing)

As of September 2023, the CCSK exam costs $599. Typically, you are responsible for this expense. However, if you are getting this certificate for your current job, your employer may be willing to help with the cost.

18. CompTIA PenTest+

The PenTest+ is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a vendor-neutral entry-level to mid-level pen tester certification. But, if you’re new to the field or lack hands-on experience, don’t immediately start off by taking this exam.

Consider starting with CompTIA’s Security+ certification to build your knowledge first. Once you have a good grasp of cyber security concepts, you’ll be much better prepared to tackle the PenTest+ exam. If you already have the background, this is a great certification to pick up for your pentesting career. However, the one downside is that the PenTest+ certification hasn’t yet built a reputation in the industry.

Though it’s slowly gaining recognition and popularity, some employers still prefer certifications such as the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), both of which are significantly more difficult. That said, more and more employers are starting to view the PenTest+ as a valuable credential.

Because of that, the PenTest+ certification offers a valuable benefit for your career and should absolutely be considered as the next step.

Now you might be wondering, “What are the benefits of taking the PenTest+ exam?” First off, it’s a great way to boost your credibility because it instantly demonstrates your knowledge (not expertise) to employers, but beyond that…

It provides a nice salary! While there wasn’t very much information regarding how much certified individuals make, ZipRecruiter indicates the average annual salary of a penetration tester is $118,287. Your salary is expected to range between $96,500 (25th percentile) went as high as $135,000 (75th percentile). However, that doesn’t mean you’ll make the average if you’re just starting out.

It’s a fantastic way to expand your skillset. It helps you stay up to date with the latest cyber security trends and best practices. Plus, it can open doors to new job opportunities and career advancement.

It can help you build a strong professional network. CompTIA offers resources and networking opportunities for certified professionals. These include online forums, local chapters, and conferences. By connecting with other cyber security professionals, you can share knowledge, discuss challenges, and discover new opportunities.

The PenTest+ certification is vendor-neutral. This means it doesn’t focus on specific technologies or platforms. This can be an advantage when working in a diverse IT environment because you can work with a wide range of systems and tools. The vendor-neutral nature of the certification also ensures that your skills remain relevant.

It’s is a solid stepping-stone for advancing your career. By investing the time and effort into preparing for and passing the exam, you’re demonstrating your dedication to professional development. This can be an attractive quality to potential employers.

The PenTest+ exam is a well-rounded assessment of your security knowledge. The exam covers various domains, including planning and scoping, information gathering, vulnerability analysis, exploitation, and reporting. 

Which Cybersecurity Certification is Best?

While most cybersecurity professionals have at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, many companies prefer candidates who also have a certification to validate knowledge of best practices. There are hundreds of certifications available, from general to vendor-specific, entry-level to advanced. 

Before you spend your money and time on a certification, it’s important to find one that will give you a competitive advantage in your career. Here are the number of US job listings across three job sites that require these cybersecurity certifications. These eight cybersecurity certifications were featured in the largest number of job listings across LinkedIn, Indeed, and Simply Hired as of July 31, 2024.

If you’re just starting out in the world of cybersecurity, consider an entry-level credential, like the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate. You can build job-ready skills while earning a shareable certificate from an industry leader.

1. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level security certification that validates the core skills needed in any cybersecurity role. With this certification, demonstrate your ability to assess the security of an organization, monitor and secure cloud, mobile, and internet of things (IoT) environments, understand laws and regulations related to risk and compliance, and identify and respond to security incidents.

Earning your Security+ certification can help you in roles such as:

• Systems administrator – $83,951
• Help desk manager – $90,966
• Security engineer – $134,387
• Cloud engineer – $148,835
• Security administrator – $98,908
• IT auditor – $111,874
• Software developer – $130,439

2. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The CISSP certification from the cybersecurity professional organization (ISC)² ranks among the most sought-after credentials in the industry. Earning your CISSP demonstrates that you’re experienced in IT security and capable of designing, implementing, and monitoring a cybersecurity program.

This advanced certification is for experienced security professionals looking to advance their careers in roles like:

• Chief information security officer – $358,800
• Security administrator – $98,908
• Security engineer – $134,387
• Senior security consultant – $212,412
• Information assurance analyst – $113,829

3. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Ethical hacking, also known as white hat hacking, penetration testing, or red team, involves lawfully hacking organizations to try and uncover vulnerabilities before malicious players do. The EC-Council offers the CEH Certified Ethical Hacker certification. Earn it to demonstrate your skills in penetration testing, attack detection, vectors, and prevention.

The CEH certification helps you to think like a hacker and take a more proactive approach to cybersecurity. Consider this certification for jobs like:

• Penetration tester – $137,195
• Cyber incident analyst – $104,548
• Threat intelligence analyst – $163,428
• Cloud security architect – $234,881
• Cybersecurity engineer – $159,846

4. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

This credential from IT professional association ISACA helps demonstrate your expertise in assessing security vulnerabilities, designing and implementing controls, and reporting on compliance. It’s among the most recognized certifications for careers in cybersecurity auditing.

The CISA is designed for mid-level IT professionals looking to advance into jobs like:

• IT audit manager – $112,241
• Cybersecurity auditor – $162,067
• Information security analyst – $140,653
• Security engineer – $134,387
• IT project manager – $121,042
• Compliance program manager – $115,994

5. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

With the CISM certification, also from ISACA, you can validate your expertise in the management side of information security, including topics like governance, program development, and program, incident, and risk management.

If you’re looking to pivot from the technical to the managerial side of cybersecurity, earning your CISM could be a good choice. Jobs that use the CISM include:

• IT manager – $108,606
• Information systems security officer – $164,496
• Information risk consultant – $111,198
• Director of information security – $345,673
• Data governance manager – $133,639

Which Cybersecurity Specialization is Best?

For many people, a career in cybersecurity is appealing because of the field’s continuously growing demand and competitive salary. Professionals in cybersecurity do a variety of tasks beyond simply protecting information systems against threats.

To determine which area of knowledge is ideal to pursue, those who are interested in a career in cybersecurity should be aware of the specialties that are accessible. Focusing on a particular area of cybersecurity education may improve career chances and assist students in thinking about the kind of credentials they should strive for.

1. Network Security: Network security specialists concern themselves with safeguarding the authenticity and functionality of networks and data. They use physical and logical barriers to protect against such factors as viruses, worms, and unauthorized access. The workers in this field are involved in the process of setting up firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems for the protection of an organization’s network.

2. Information Security: Unlike cybersecurity, which is assumed to be the same as information security, the latter focuses on safeguarding information with regard to its confidence, accuracy, and accessibility. In this area, professionals focus on the protection of data, especially data that is confidential and can become vulnerable during storage, processing, or even transfer. They are tasked with enhancing protective measures and designing protocols for mitigating and resolving security threats.

3. Application Security: This specialization focuses on making software programs resistant to threats right from the time of coding to implementation. It covers code reviews, security testing, and vulnerability assessments to ensure application developers are able to discover and relieve potential risks that can be found within a software application.

4. Cloud Security: Due to the massive shift of businesses towards the adoption of cloud environments, cloud security is now considered a niche area. A cloud security specialist makes sure that the implementation of the cloud environment is safe and provisioned according to the law. It employs on protection of cloud systems, data and apps, identity management, and threat monitoring of cloud environments.

5. Incident Response: It is worth mentioning that incident response specialists intervene whenever a security breach happens. Their role is to prevent IT breaches and, in the best-case scenario, to contain them. They analyze security threats, determine how to respond to specific security issues, and put in place processes that would help to reduce such incidents in the future. This role also poses a great deal of decision-making power and, hence, entails the ability to think on your feet.

6. Penetration Testing: This is also referred to as ethical hacking and entails the execution of attacks on a system for assessment of any potential flaws. A pen tester, otherwise known as a penetration tester, uses different instruments as well as processes to confirm the level of vulnerability of a network, an application, or a system. These are useful in offering detailed information concerning their discoveries and suggestions.

7. Security Architecture: They are responsible for coming up with and managing the implementation of strong security frameworks in associated organizations. They identify the various risk factors and create a holistic security plan. This position demands expertise in IT and organizational business processes to guarantee the effectiveness and sufficiency of security controls.

8. Risk Management and Compliance: Such professionals are employed in this field, and it involves the following: The distinction, evaluation, and management of risks pertaining to information within an organization. The allowable templates guarantee the companies’ compliance with such directives as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS. This position may entail performing some form of audit or participating in the formulation of risk management strategies.

What is the Hardest Certification in Cybersecurity?

We understand that there is a sliding range in exam difficulty. It all comes down to how much you know, how much you practice, and how much practical experience you have before the test. Advanced security certifications can be very difficult for some persons to pass, while others may find them fairly easy.

The fact that testing firms don’t always disclose pass rates makes it much more difficult to rank the difficulty of a certification.

However, there’s lots of debate about the relative difficulty or simplicity of obtaining IT security certifications. Here is our updated ranking of the most challenging IT security certifications, which is based on those insights and comments from industry professionals.

1. GIAC Security Expert (GSE)

The GIAC Security Expert (GSE) remains one of the toughest and most prestigious certifications in the field. As of early 2023, there were fewer than 300 GIAC Security Experts worldwide. The exact number fluctuates as new candidates earn the certification, and others may not maintain it due to the rigorous renewal process. 

To earn the GSE, candidates must pass a multiple-choice exam, submit a research paper, and complete a two-day hands-on lab. The GIAC website has a full pricing guide for the exams, including renewal and practice test pricing.

An interesting aside: The first hands-on GSE exam pitted GSE #1, John Jenkinson, and GSE #2, Lenny Zeltser, against one another in a red team, blue team exercise for five days. They called it after four and a half days. 

2. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

The OSCP is known for its intensive practical exam, where candidates must demonstrate their penetration testing skills in a virtual environment. The exam duration is 23 hours and 45 minutes, plus an additional 15 minutes for proctoring. To be eligible for the exam, candidates must first complete the Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (PEN-200) training course. To pass the exam, you need to achieve 70 points out of 100.

This OffSec certification is a true test of the candidate’s penetration testing process expertise. It’s close to the most arduous exam we’ve encountered, except for this next one.

3. CCIE Security

The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Security certification is highly regarded for its rigorous process, which includes a challenging 8-hour lab exam. Around 4,000 CCIE Security certified professionals worldwide hold this certification, making it highly prestigious and recognized for its difficulty. 

To obtain this certification, candidates must pass the qualifying 2-hour exam, Implementing and Operating Cisco Security Core Technologies (SCOR 350-701), and then pass the 8-hour lab exam. 

4. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

As far as infosec certifications are concerned, the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) from ISC2 is arguably the gold standard.

IT security professionals worldwide value this advanced-level certification, which is recognized and valued by both industry and government employers. Like CASP, CISSP is approved as a DOD baseline for Level III IAT security technicians. That’s where the comparison ends.

CISSP certification is designed for security professionals who develop information security policies and procedures. The CISSP is the most advanced certification we’ve discussed so far, and for many candidates, it may require up to a year to prepare for the exam.

The certification exam is a 3-hour, computerized adaptive testing format that varies from 100 to 150 questions. To pass, you will need to achieve 700 out of 1000 points. To take the exam, you must prove that you have worked for at least five years as a security professional. That’s important. They have fairly strict requirements for counting security experience. There’s a little wiggle room in the five-year experience requirement with a four-year degree, but it has to be the right type of experience.

Without the requisite experience, you can pass the exam, but you’ll remain an ISC2 Associate until you reach the minimum number of years. And not all experience is counted.

You must also be endorsed by an ISC2 sponsor. If you don’t have a sponsor, you’ll need to perform a couple of extra steps to be endorsed by ISC2.

The process of becoming a CISSP is not straightforward. To maintain your CISSP certification, you must complete 120 hours of continuing professional education every three years, and pay $135 a year.

5. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

The CISM certification focuses on the management and governance aspects of information security. Passing the CISM requires five years of relevant experience in information security, with a minimum of three years in information security management in at least three of the four CISM domains. This ensures a high level of practical understanding of this complex subject. 

The exam’s four domains are Information Security Governance (17%), Information Security Risk Management (20%), Information Security Program (33%), and Incident Management (30%). You are given four hours to complete 150 multiple-choice questions. The exam uses a common scale scoring system out of 800, and you must achieve at least 450 to pass.

If successful, the certification shows that you have the skills and knowledge needed to assess risk and implement governance solutions in cybersecurity and proactive incident response. As this certification is aimed at managerial positions, it does not cover the same depth of content as a pure cybersecurity certification or a cyber security auditor certification like the CISA.  

The CISM is a valuable certification that is tough to prepare for, which lands it on our toughest IT certs list.

Which ISO Certification is Best for Cyber Security?

The Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB) offers the ISO 27001 Lead Auditor certification, which is a great option for anyone wishing to learn how to audit Information Security Management Systems (ISMS).

This extensive course is divided into multiple sections, ranging from Planning, Performing, and Following an ISO 27001 audit to Normative, Regulatory, and Legal Frameworks.

Lead auditors make sure that the newest and most effective methods, guidelines, and processes are followed by their auditing team. Because of this, we at Firebrand highly advise obtaining this certification in addition to the ISO 27001 Lead Implementer one.

Highest Paying Cyber Security Certifications

A job in cybersecurity can be very profitable. You can work as a systems administrator, network engineer, information security analyst, network administrator, information technology (IT) manager, information technology specialist, computer/network system administrator, ethical hacker, or security consultant after earning a credential that is widely accepted and recognized. The average pay for a general security professional in the US is $35,813, according to Glassdoor. According to the Indeed job portal, the average income in the US for cybersecurity certificates is expected to be $11.97 per hour.

The top 5 recommended Cybersecurity certifications are:

• CompTIA Security+ (plus)

Security+ certification from CompTIA is a stepping stone to a cybersecurity career. This vendor-neutral certification is considered the gold standard to validate security skills. This comprehensive certification exam focuses on explaining the fundamentals of network security, threats and vulnerabilities, data security, access control, identity management, cryptography, and security compliances. There are no prerequisites for the CompTIA Security+ certification, but adding the CompTIA Network+ credentials and a history of work experience in IT adds more value to this career-boosting certification.

• Cisco CCNA

Cisco Certified Network Associate, popularly known as CCNA, is an across-the-board certification devised by Cisco to fully equip anyone intending to pursue a career in network security with in-depth knowledge of vital network security aspects. The Cisco CCNA certification explains and showcases the professional skills used in developing security infrastructure, identifying risks and vulnerabilities, and mitigating security threats. To earn CCNA certification, you must pass the CCNA exam (200-301 exam).

• Cisco CCNP

CCNP, or Cisco Certified Network Professional, is an esteemed certification that helps professionals working in the security infrastructure domain to showcase their strengths. This professional-level certification expands proficiency in securing and managing networks efficiently. To achieve the CCNP Security certification, you must pass a core exam and a concentration exam. The core exam focuses on core security technologies, such as security for networks, cloud and content, endpoint protection, secure network access, visibility, and enforcement. The concentration exam focuses on industry-specific topics. Passing these exams allows you to fill the shoes of a Cisco Network Security Engineer.

• Certified Ethical Hacker

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a top-ranking in-demand certification helping you to gain white hat hacking skills. Offered by the EC-Council, the CEH certification demonstrates how to identify vulnerabilities before they’re explored by black hat hackers to steal sensitive data. Candidates with experience of at least two years in IT security or attendance at an official training event conducted by the EC-Council are eligible to take this exam. The exam covers the vital areas of ethical hacking, including hacking laws, Google hacking, system hacking, social engineering, phishing attacks, denial of service, web application vulnerabilities, cryptography, password cracking, and penetration testing techniques.

• ISC2 CISSP

The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an advanced-level certification assessing your ability in designing, engineering, implementing, and managing enterprise-level security systems. CISSP-certified employees are globally identified to have advanced knowledge of cybersecurity, allowing them to become cybersecurity leaders. To take the CISSP exam, one needs at least five years of full-time experience in two or more security domains. After qualifying for this exam, your experience must follow the ISC2 Code of Ethics and be endorsed by an active ISC2 member.

Most organizations and individuals lack the knowledge and abilities to keep up with the ever-increasing complexity of cyber threats.

Cyber Security Certification Roadmap

Set a goal – If you aim to extend your pay, as an example, you will select an in-demand certification program. If you want to figure out how to build your skills, consider a program that enables consecutive progressive certificates. Likewise, if you get to determine yourself as knowledgeable in cybersecurity, certification like CompTIA Security+, could give you the most up-to-date training in the core principles of Cybersecurity.

Follow your passion – It is necessary to settle on a certification that you just have an interest in. Stay away from pursuing a certification simply because your friends have decided to take it up as it will not be of much value to you and your career. Perpetually judge your interest, potential, and skills before embarking on a certification journey that suits you.

Practical and Theoretical Combination – Each field, even in information technology, lies a theoretical understanding and sensible coaching of learning along with totally different tools and software systems on the market. Therefore, you want to seek a training institution that will impart knowledge and skills in each aspect. If you merely perceive theoretical aspects, you would be incapacitated once it involves the sensible implementation of the information and vice-versa.

Pick licensed coaching centers – Choosing authorized training establishments can help you develop the specified IT skills. With IT coaching centers mushrooming across the country, selecting the one that will be able to assist you in mastering all the nuances of your domain could be a major task.

Know the reviews regarding certificates – Not all certifications are developed identically. In the same way that you are likely to check the reviews of a restaurant before you go out to dine, be sure to investigate how certificates in the same subject offered by various companies might yield different outcomes. This might include varying time commitments, opportunities to retake the certification exams, or specific industry recognition.

Plan for recertification – Keep in mind to be additionally savvy as long as your certification lasts. Some never ought to be revived, however, others need recertification. If you decide to pursue a track that features recertification, set up how you will maintain your skills throughout the year and build a system to trace your progress. Additionally, it is not uncommon to set up ahead for an associate degree or initial certification. Perceive any pre-existing conditions and set up consequently.

No matter your reasons for pursuing in-demand certification, settling on a program that matches your career goals is crucial. By following the above-mentioned steps, you will be able to precisely verify the variety of certificates you are searching for. By successfully finishing a certification, you will quickly see yourself in a highly satisfying and rewarding career.

Final Thoughts

Cybersecurity credentials are worth the time and money, but only if you choose the right certification. These certifications are crucial because they provide employers with real evidence of your cybersecurity knowledge and skills.

A cybersecurity certification might help you stand out in the job market or progress your career within your present organization.