Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-paced industries due to the continuous rise in the number of cyberattacks. Companies pay huge amounts of money to professionals to safeguard their precious data from potential risks. Taking this into account, it is the right time to enter into the void of cyber security. You just need to build the right skills and get yourself certified with the best cybersecurity certifications in the market.
As a cybersecurity professional, you will be responsible for mitigating cybersecurity risks for different organizations. Hence, let’s further delve into this article and take an overview of the 12 best cyber security certifications.
CompTIA Security+ is one of the best cyber security certifications valued globally. One of the major standouts of this certification is its availability in multiple languages, such as English, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, and Portuguese. This entry-level certification validates an individual to perform security assessments in an organization, mobile, Internet of Things (IoT) environments, monitor, and secure the cloud.
The following are the job titles that can be targeted with this certification:
The examination contains a maximum of 90 multiple-choice questions that an examinee needs to answer in 90 minutes.
| Focus | 1. Threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities |
| 2. Architecture and design | |
| 3. General Security Concepts | |
| 4. Operations and incident response | |
| 5. Security Program Management and Oversight | |
| Cost of the certification | $404 |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Prerequisites | There are no certain prerequisites for this certification, but CompTIA recommends taking two years of experience in IT administration with a security focus and CompTIA Network+ certification. |
This is an online cybersecurity program designed by Google especially for freshmen to target entry-level jobs in the market. It can help the pursuer get the following job titles:
From the customer reviews, it can be concluded that this certification is a great way to build a strong foundation of cyber security principles. With no requirements or conditions, this program is one of the best certifications for people interested in cybersecurity.
| Content | 1. Cybersecurity practices and their impact on organizations. |
| 2. Identify common risks, threats, and vulnerabilities, as well as techniques to mitigate them. | |
| 3. Python, Linux, and SQL for assistance. | |
| 4. Implementation of Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools for protecting networks, devices, people, and data from unauthorized access and cyberattacks. | |
| Cost of the certification | $49 per month after the 7-day free trial. |
| Validity | Lifetime |
| Prerequisites | No need for prior knowledge and experience in cyber security. |
The CompTIA cybersecurity analyst certification is an advanced cybersecurity program that surpasses the coverage of CompTIA Security+. This provides deeper knowledge about topics like threat management, vulnerability management, cyber incident response, and security architecture and toolsets.
This certification can help you score the following job roles:
This certification bridges the gap between CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner. The content of this certification can be greatly beneficial for threat analysts, risk management professionals, vulnerability analysts, and entry-level incident response professionals.
| Content | 1. Security operations. |
| 2. Threat and vulnerability management concepts. | |
| 3. Process of setting a strong network security architecture. | |
| 4. Conduct responses to cyber security incidents. | |
| 5. Best reporting and communication practices for vulnerability management and incident response. | |
| Cost of the certification | $404 |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Prerequisites | Knowledge of Security+ or Network+ |
| At least 4 years of experience as an incident response analyst or security operations center (SOC) analyst, or equivalent experience. |
The CISSP is a globally recognized certification that is designed for individuals who are interested in gaining a deep understanding of cybersecurity. This certification can help you demonstrate that you are capable of designing, implementing, and monitoring a cybersecurity program.
Furthermore, if applicants don’t have the required experience, they can still attend the examination. In this case, the 5 years of experience should be taken after the examination.
| Content | 1. Security and Risk Management |
| 2. Asset Security | |
| 3. Security Architecture and Engineering | |
| 4. Communication and Network Security | |
| 5. Identity and Access Management (IAM) | |
| 6. Security Assessment and Testing | |
| 7. Security Operations | |
| 8. Software Development Security | |
| Cost of the certification | Exam cost $749 (excluding other variable costs) |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Prerequisites | The examinee must have five years of cumulative work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the ISC2 CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). |
The EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker certification is considered one of the best cyber security certifications for penetration testing, attack detection, vectors, and prevention. This can help you become a white-hat hacker for organizations and protect their sensitive data from serious cyber threats like Attack Vector.
The following are job roles that are targeted by this certification:
The word hacker in the title of the certification doesn’t mean that it is concerned with working in an offensive environment.
| Content | 1. Footprinting & reconnaissance scanning |
| 2. Enumeration | |
| 3. Vulnerability analysis | |
| 4. System hacking | |
| 5. Malware threats | |
| 6. Sniffing | |
| 7. Hacking wireless networks | |
| 8. Hacking mobile platforms | |
| 9. IoT and OT Hacking | |
| 10. Cloud computing cryptography | |
| Cost of the certification | Ranges from $950 to $1199, depending on the testing location. |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Prerequisites | Two years of work experience in IT security or complete the official EC-Council training. |
The CISM certification is considered one of the highest-paying cybersecurity certifications, especially for information security professionals looking for superior managerial positions.
The following are the job roles that can be targeted with this certification:
The distinctive feature of this certification is its relevancy. It gets updated with additional and new content every 3 years. It helps applicants apply and utilize new strategies and information to further increase security.
| Content | 1. Information Security Governance |
| 2. Information Security Risk Management | |
| 3. Information Security Program | |
| 4. Incident Management | |
| Cost of the certification | $575 for members, $760 for non-members |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Prerequisites | 5 years of experience in information security management, which should include 2 years of general information security experience. |
CCNA is an entry-level certification for people interested in cybersecurity. This certification not only validates the applicant for cyber security, but also for other vast IT careers like network security and software development.
CCNA can help you score the following job role:
Furthermore, Cisco also offers a valuable community platform where candidates can solve their queries.
| Content | 1. Networking fundamentals |
| 2. IP Services | |
| 3. Security fundamentals | |
| 4. Automation | |
| Cost of the certification | $300 (excluding tax) |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Prerequisites | There are no requirements for this certification. |
Developed and designed by the Cloud Security Alliances (CSA), the CCSK is a well-known certification for cloud security. This certification helps you get a deep understanding of topics like data encryption, cloud incident response, application security, Security as a Service (SecaaS), and Identity and Access Management.
The following are the job roles targeted with this certification:
Moreover, CCSK is one of the best cyber security certifications to bridge the skill gap between entry-level cyber security professionals and professionals with certifications like CISSP, CISA, etc.
| Content | 1. Cloud Computing Concepts, Architectures, and Governance |
| 2. Risk, Audit, & Compliance | |
| 3. Organizational Management | |
| 4. Security Monitoring, Identity, and Access Management | |
| 5. Infrastructure and Networking | |
| 6. Cloud Workload Security | |
| 7. Data and Application Security | |
| 8. Incident Response & Resilience | |
| 9. Related Technologies & Strategies | |
| Cost of the certification | $445 |
| Validity | Lifetime |
| Prerequisites | No specific requirements. The candidate should just have a basic understanding of firewalls, secure development, and identity and access management. |
Provided by GIAC, the GSEC is an entry-level certification focused on IT security and networking. The main aim of this certification is to provide practitioner knowledge to the candidate to enter the domain of cyber security.
Job roles targeted by this certification:
Being an entry-level certificate, GSEC doesn’t have any requirements. It means that anyone interested in cyber security can pursue this certification.
| Content | 1. Defense in depth, access control, and password management |
| 2. Cryptography | |
| 3. Cloud Operations | |
| 4. Defensible network architecture, networking and protocols, and network security. | |
| 5. Incident handling and response, data loss prevention, mobile device security, vulnerability scanning, and penetration testing | |
| 6. Understanding of Linux | |
| 7. SIEM, critical controls, and exploit mitigation | |
| 8. Web communication security, virtualization and cloud security, and endpoint security | |
| 9. Security Infrastructure | |
| Cost of the certification | $949 (excluding variable costs) |
| Validity | 4 years |
| Prerequisites | No requirements. The candidate must have a basic knowledge of information systems or computer networking. |
SSCP can be an optimum choice for professionals looking for growth in their careers. It allows the candidate to learn about topics like access controls, incident response, risk identification and analysis, security administration, cryptography, networks, communications, systems, and application security in more depth.
These are the roles that an SSCP certified can score:
This certification can help showcase that you have advanced technical skills and knowledge to implement IT infrastructure using the best cyber security practices.
| Content | Security Operations and Administration |
| Access Controls | |
| Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis | |
| Incident Response and Recovery | |
| Cryptography | |
| Network and Communications Security | |
| Systems and Application Security | |
| Cost of the certification | $249 (excluding all variable costs) |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Prerequisites | At least one year of paid work experience in one or more of the testing areas, or a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a cybersecurity-related program. |
GCIH is another cyber security certification provided by GIAC. Whereas the GSEC targets a wide range of cyber security topics, the GCIH mainly targets incident handling and response in depth. This certification is specially designed for professionals who manage and handle security incidents.
GCIH-certified candidates can target the following job titles:
The employer values this certification as it assures that the candidate has a deep understanding of real-life cybersecurity incidents.
| Content | 1. Incident Handling |
| 2. Computer Crime Investigation | |
| 3. Computer and Network Hacker Exploits | |
| 4. Hacker Tools | |
| Cost of the certification | $979 (excluding variable costs) |
| Validity | 4 years |
| Prerequisites | No specific requirements. The candidate should just know the basic principles of cyber security. |
CISA is considered one of the best certifications for cybersecurity auditing. This covers a wide range of topics, from information security audit control and security to assurances. It verifies that the professional is proficient in vulnerability assessments, compliance issue reporting, and controlling the security of an organization.
The following are the job titles that CISA-certified professionals can target:
Furthermore, the examination for CISA is available in multiple languages, such as Chinese Mandarin, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Korean.
| Content | 1. Information Systems Auditing Process |
| 2. Governance and Management of Information Technology | |
| 3. Information Systems Acquisition, Development, and Implementation | |
| 4. Information Systems Operations and Business Resilience | |
| 5. Protection of Information Assets | |
| Cost of the certification | $795 for members and $895 for non-members |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Prerequisites | At least 5 years of experience in IT or IS audit, control, security, or assurance or two years of degree in the respective domain. |
Earning any of these certifications will validate your practice of cybersecurity strategies and tactics to counter cyberattacks. While planning to pursue any of the aforementioned certifications, make sure the certification you chose fits your interest, as CCNA (entry-level certification) might not be useful for security incident handling.
Having a cyber security certificate can help you establish a professional profile. Furthermore, this can also help in increasing salaries and promotion to a superior role.
There are basically 6 different types of cyber security:
The time to complete a cyber security certification varies depending on various factors, such as learning capacity, duration of the certification, and prior knowledge. Thus, there is no certain duration to complete a cyber security certification.
The following are the best beginner certifications for people interested in cyber security:
This is a huge misconception about cyber security. Whereas some roles might require you to learn different languages like C++, Java, Python, etc., most entry-level roles don’t require coding.
