Choosing the Right Cybersecurity Certification for Your Career

Cybersecurity certifications can be an important way for individuals to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field of cybersecurity.

These certifications can be especially valuable for professionals who are looking to advance their careers in the cybersecurity industry.

Obtaining a cybersecurity certification can be a time-consuming and costly process, as it typically involves completing coursework and passing an exam.

However, for many professionals, the benefits of holding a cybersecurity certification can outweigh the costs, as it can lead to increased job opportunities and higher salaries.

Some Well-Known Cyber Security Certification

There are a wide variety of cybersecurity certifications available, ranging from entry-level certifications to advanced, specialized certifications.

Some examples of well-known cybersecurity certifications include:

  • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
  • Certified Information Security Professional (CISSP)
  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
  • Certified Information Security Officer (CISO)
  • Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
  • Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)

Is Becoming A Cyber Security Will Be Promising?

The field of Cybersecurity is expected to continue growing in the coming years, and there is likely to be strong demand for professionals with expertise in this area.

Cybersecurity threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread, and organizations and governments around the world are investing in cybersecurity measures to protect against these threats.

As a result, there is likely to be strong demand for professionals with skills in Cybersecurity. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 31% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

In addition to strong job growth, Cybersecurity professionals also tend to earn high salaries. According to the BLS, the median annual wage for information security analysts was $99,730 in May 2019.

Certification Institute

1. International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2

This organization offers a variety of Cybersecurity Certifications:

  • The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
  • The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP).

The CISSP certification is a generalist certification that is widely recognized in the industry and is designed for professionals who have at least five years of experience in the field of information security.

The CCSP certification is focused on cloud security and is suitable for professionals with experience in this area.

2. SANS Institute

This organization offers a number of cybersecurity certifications, includes:

  • The Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)
  • The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

The GIAC certification is a technical certification that is focused on hands-on skills and is suitable for professionals with experience in the field.

The CISM certification is focused on information security management and is suitable for professionals with at least five years of experience in this area.

3. ISACA

This organization offers a variety of cybersecurity certifications, includes:

  • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
  • Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

The CISM certification is focused on information security management and is suitable for professionals with at least five years of experience in this area.

The CISA certification is focused on information systems auditing and is suitable for professionals with at least five years of experience in this area.

4. EC-Council

The CEH certification is a technical certification that is focused on hands-on skills and is suitable for professionals with experience in the field of ethical hacking.

The CCISO certification is focused on information security management and is suitable for professionals with at least five years of experience in this area.

  • Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
  • Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO).

5. CompTIA

The Security+ certification is a generalist certification that is suitable for professionals with at least two years of experience in the field of information technology. The CSA+ certification is focused on cybersecurity analysis and is suitable for professionals with experience in this area.

This organization offers a number of cybersecurity certifications, including the CompTIA Security+ and the CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CSA+).

6. GIAC

This organization offers a variety of cybersecurity certifications, including the GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) and the GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH).

The GSEC certification is a generalist certification that is suitable for professionals with at least two years of experience in the field of information technology.

The GCIH certification is focused on incident handling and is suitable for professionals with experience in this area.

7. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a cybersecurity certification offered by the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council).

It is a technical certification that is focused on hands-on skills and is suitable for professionals with experience in the field of ethical hacking.

To become a Certified Ethical Hacker, candidates must pass a written exam that covers a range of topics, including:

  • Networking concepts and technologies
  • Information security principles and practices
  • Ethical hacking methodologies and tools
  • Security risks and vulnerabilities
  • Countermeasures and controls

The CEH certification is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and mitigate security risks in an organization’s network and systems.

It is often sought by professionals who work in roles such as security consultants, network administrators, and security analysts.

Career Options and Requirements

To be successful in a career in cybersecurity, you’ll need a strong foundation in education and experience.

A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is often a requirement for many cybersecurity roles.

Having a master’s degree can also help you stand out from the competition. In addition to education, certifications in cybersecurity can be valuable assets for your career.

There are a wide range of career options available in the field of Cybersecurity, the roles are include:

  • Cybersecurity Specialist
  • Information Security or Vulnerability Analyst
  • Penetration Tester
  • Cybersecurity Architect
  • Security or Cybersecurity Engineer
  • Security or Cybersecurity Administrator
  • Security Administrator
  • Security Auditor
  • Security Director
  • Security Consultant
  • Cryptographer
  • Chief Information Security Officer
  • Vulnerability Assessor
  • Incident Responder
  • Forensic Expert
  • Source Code Auditor
  • Security Manager

Job duties in these positions can vary depending on the industry in which you work, such as government, finance, healthcare, or technology. The main goal of all cybersecurity professionals is to protect data and mitigate security risks.

Is Certification Really Necessary?

Having a certification in cybersecurity alone may not be sufficient to qualify for many cybersecurity roles.

Most employers typically require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. A bachelor’s degree program typically includes coursework in programming, artificial intelligence, cryptography, statistics, and ethical hacking, which provides a strong foundation in the field.

Obtaining a master’s degree in computer science or a related field can help you stand out from other candidates in the job market. Graduate studies in this field typically cover topics such as ethics, biometry, cryptography, and digital forensics.

While a master’s degree is not typically a requirement for many cybersecurity roles, it is often preferred or considered a valuable asset. In addition to a bachelor’s or master’s degree, obtaining a certification in cybersecurity can be an additional way to differentiate yourself and demonstrate your expertise in the field.