As global cybersecurity threats continue to rise, information security professionals must enroll in continuous education and training programs to acquire current knowledge and skills that help organizations thwart these costly risks.
Many cybersecurity certification programs are available for beginner and senior security professionals looking to advance their careers in cybersecurity. However, with so many options available in this dynamic landscape, finding the right certification based on your current career path may be challenging.
This guide helps you navigate the space better and gives you practical advice on which certification is right for you. Let's begin.
Software development outsourcing trends point to a heightened focus on cybersecurity and data privacy globally. In the same vein, regulators are becoming increasingly strict in enforcing laws to protect companies, enterprises, and their customers from suffering data breaches, financial losses, reputational damage, and other costly consequences.
That's where cybersecurity certifications designed for IT professionals help boost skill and competency levels through which organizations stay protected. At the same time, these security professionals, whose services are rising in demand, can enhance their career prospects and enjoy increases in their salary and earning potential.
No two cybersecurity certifications are the same, and there are many subdivisions based on career level and specialization. The best certification for you will depend on whether you are a beginner, an entry-level, or an advanced cybersecurity professional and how many years of experience you have.
For example, an entry-level practitioner may need at least two years of work experience, while an advanced certification may state that you need at least five years of experience (in most cases paid). Further classifications may be based on your area of specialization, which can include network security, ethical hacking, cloud security, and more.
The cybersecurity certification you enroll in as a beginner will pave the way for your career. Bear in mind that you need to have the fundamentals in place before proceeding to more advanced security qualifications. Below are a few well-recognized information security certifications for those with no or little work experience in information security.
Two of the best cybersecurity certifications for beginners include:
Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) certification by ISC2: If you're looking to get a strong grasp on cybersecurity, the CC certification offers the foundational knowledge you need. After obtaining this certification, you will have the skills to secure different types of IT environments while also acquiring knowledge of risk management, security operations, and incident response. For $199, you will be able to register for the course and gain access to the course materials and instructors. At the end of the course, you will be required to pass a certification exam.
Security+ by CompTIA: Another highly useful certification for beginners, Security+ focuses on the key principles required to achieve network security. Further knowledge and skills you will acquire fall in the operations and security architecture as well as risk management subsectors. The 90-minute certification exam is a prerequisite to pass the CompTIA and obtain the certification. Additionally, the cost of this course in the US is $404.
Moving beyond the entry-level certification space, experienced professionals looking to solidify their expertise will benefit from some of the following certifications in the different information security specialties.
Security certifications for different career paths
Different cybersecurity roles call for different certifications to validate the knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired by professionals with several years of experience. Among the most notable ones include:
○ AWS Certified Security-Specialty: Specifically focused on building skills in securing data in the AWS cloud, key competencies include understanding AWS security services, managing security controls, etc. Interested individuals need a minimum of five years of IT security work experience and two years in securing AWS workloads. The exam lasts for 170 minutes and the certification costs $300.
○ Google Cloud: The Google cybersecurity certificate, called the Professional Cloud Security Engineer certification, focuses on aspects such as designing, implementing, and managing secure infrastructure on the Google Cloud platform while using Google security technologies and managing an organization's compliance obligations. The cost of the certification is around $200 and the length of the exam is two hours. Google recommends professional experience spanning more than three years, a minimum of one of which entails working in the specific Google platform.
○ CISM: Offered by ISACA, Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is a certification of global renown. It focuses on enterprise security programs. Members pay around $575 for the certification, while non-members will be charged in the range of $760.
○ CISA: CISA stands for Certified Information Systems Auditor and is also offered by ISACA. The primary focus of this specialty is placed on information systems audit and control plus assurance to ensure accurate and thorough monitoring, security and risk management, and protection of IT and business systems. A CISA certification costs around $575 for members and $760 for non-members.
Network security certification:
○ CCNA certification: The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification enables individuals to become an associate that focuses on network technologies, information security, software development, etc. The cost varies by provider but is around the $300 mark, with the exam lasting two hours.
Advanced systems security and information security certifications are ideal for seasoned professionals. These types of certifications afford many advantages. Among them include the status to validate high levels of proficiency in theory and practice at the management level and higher. Two that we've chosen to highlight include the following.
Advanced cybersecurity certificate programs:
○ CISSP: Foundational certifications only take you so far, helping you master security fundamentals. However, along your certification path, as you continue to gain paid work experience in one or another area to advance your career, you can count on your security experience to get a leg up. One way to do this is through the CISSP certification, which stands for Certified Information Systems Security Professional. The CISSP certification focuses on individuals with a minimum of five years of experience and is often required for senior and leadership positions. It acts to validate the creation, execution, and oversight of high-level cybersecurity programs. The cost of a CISSP certification is $749. Apart from the minimum requirements for prior experience and knowledge, you will also need to pass a lengthy exam.
○ OSCP: Becoming an Offensive Security Certified Professional or OSCP (also referred to as OffSec because Offensive Security offers it) requires in-depth skills in different penetration testing methodologies and the use of advanced information security tools. You'll be required to pass an exam and the cost exceeds $1,600, according to Coursera.
With important governance laws related to network and information security, as well as biometric data privacy laws, such as GDPR, having the necessary skills and expertise in implementing the best data protection software and backup tools, including Office 365 backup solutions, has become essential for cybersecurity professionals seeking the right credentials. With the introduction of the NIS2 directive, GDPR, SOC 2, CIPP, and CDPO, compliance requirements are becoming even more stringent, making certifications in data security and governance increasingly valuable.
That's why having the right certifications is critical for helping to prevent data breaches and ensure compliance. Two such certifications are covered in more detail below.
Because the worlds of network, information security, cloud security, systems security, and others in the cybersecurity industry change so rapidly, continuing training and education are key to success.
Many of the popular certifications mentioned here, such as CEH and those related to becoming a CompTIA cybersecurity analyst, expire every three years and entail renewal and maintenance. To ensure your certification is valid and up to date, research your specific certification's recertification options.
Starting and maintaining a career in cybersecurity is a lucrative career path. Whether you work as an entry-level security analyst, in risk management or incident response, as a certified information systems auditor, or are looking to find a job such as a front-end developer, etc., the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has identified significant demand for such roles—with information security analysts earning significant salaries, depending on their knowledge in security concepts as well as their levels of work experience.
Knowing basic cybersecurity principles is critical for beginner positions, especially remote roles like front-end developer intern. Front-end developers working remotely must be extra vigilant about safe coding practices, data protection, and preventing vulnerabilities like cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injection.
With cybersecurity expertise through certifications like CEH, aspiring front-end developers can stand out to employers, demonstrating that they not only build engaging user interfaces but also prioritize security—a critical skill for remote teams, which handle sensitive user data.
If you are struggling to choose the right cybersecurity certification to align with your career goals, make sure to take the number of years of work experience in information security and your current and planned career path into account. Take note that:
The skills needed for intrusion detection, identification of security vulnerabilities, thwarting cyberattacks, and more in the information security space often start with entry-level certifications and build up as your years of experience in the field grow.
What's important in any information systems environment is to implement the right skills and knowledge to deal with various security threats. To gain these, you need the right certification, which often requires a significant time and financial commitment. When it comes to which certification is right for you, focus on your ultimate goals and intended career path.
Many cybersecurity analysts begin their careers with theoretical knowledge as they build up more work experience. In short, the right certification for you is a highly personal choice and must align with your broader career objectives.