The field of cybersecurity is rapidly expanding, with projected statistics indicating a staggering 35% growth from 2020 to 2031. This significant surge highlights the urgent demand for skilled professionals capable of combating the increasingly sophisticated tactics employed by cybercriminals.
With the increase in complex cyberattacks, there is a growing need for skilled cybersecurity professionals. Whether you are an experienced practitioner wanting to stay ahead in the field or an aspiring enthusiast looking to establish a career in cybersecurity, there is one invaluable method to showcase your expertise and boost your career opportunities – obtaining recognized cybersecurity certifications.
In this article, we will explore the top 10 advanced certifications that carry substantial cybersecurity careers in the industry. These certifications not only confirm your expertise but also offer a roadmap for mastering the newest cybersecurity skills, strategies, and best practices to protect digital assets or communications security systems.
Best Cyber Security Certifications
Listed below are the top 10 cyber security certifications. Let’s find out what they are.
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Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The CISSP cyber security certification, provided by the Cyber security professional organization (ISC)², is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious qualifications in the field. Attaining CISSP security certification demonstrates your expertise in IT security and highlights your proficiency in designing, implementing, and managing holistic cybersecurity strategies.
The CISSP certification is designed for security professionals with experience, as well as managers and leaders. It focuses on software development security. Additionally, achieving this credential can enhance your career opportunities and help you reach your desired income level.
Requirements
To qualify for the CISSP exam, you need a minimum of five years of work experience in at least two out of eight specific cyber security domains. These domains include 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.
If you have a four-year degree in computer science, it fulfills one year of the required work experience. Part-time employment and compensated internships also count towards meeting these work requirements.
Best For
The CISSP certification exam is most relevant for experienced professionals who hold roles such as security consultant, security manager, IT director/manager, security auditor, or security architect. This globally recognized cybersecurity certification validates a thorough comprehension of cybersecurity principles.
How to Get It
ISC² provides various certification exam training options for those seeking the CISSP certification, including online self-paced and private on-site training. To access these resources and apply for the exam, individuals must first become a member. You can also enrol in Simplilearn’s CISSP certification course aligned with the latest 2023 (ISC)2 version.
Cost: $749
Potential Job Roles And Salary After Obtaining CISSP Certification
Job Role
Avg Salary
Chief information security officer
$181,529
IT security engineer
$99,946
Security administrator
$61,655
Information assurance analyst
$85,083
Senior security consultant
$108,379
Systems Administrator
$85,595
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Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Certification Exam
The EC-Council offers the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification to validate skills in penetration testing, identifying attack vectors, and implementing preventive measures. The CEH certification is highly regarded as the top credential for ethical hackers. It offers a comprehensive 20-module course that aims to provide candidates with essential skills in ethical hacking.
The program covers a range of topics, including information gathering and reconnaissance, network scanning, intrusion detection systems, vulnerability identification, system infiltration, understanding malware threats, social engineering techniques, session hijacking, web server hacking, and mobile platform targeting.
The CEH exam is divided into two parts: a knowledge-based test lasting 4 hours with 125 multiple-choice questions and a practical exam lasting 6 hours with 20 scenario-based questions. This comprehensive assessment allows candidates to demonstrate their capabilities and qualify themselves for potential employers.
Requirements
If you have two years of work experience in information security or if you complete an official EC-Council training, you are eligible to take the CEH exam.
Best For:
Ethical hacking certification is ideal for individuals who aspire to become proficient ethical hackers, security professionals, or penetration testers. This certification is also precious for IT professionals, cybersecurity professionals, and anyone looking to expand their understanding of identifying and resolving security vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks.
How to Get It
To obtain this certification, you can enroll in training provided by Simplilearn and use additional resources as necessary. Simplilearn offers a comprehensive CEH certification training program that follows the curriculum of EC-Council’s CEH v12. The course provides hands-on experience in mastering hacking techniques and network defense. It includes interactive classes, the exam fee, and access to practical labs for a well-rounded learning experience.
Cost:
According to the test location, the cost can range between $950- $1,199.
Potential Job Roles And Salary After Obtaining CEH Certification
Job role
Salary
Ethical Hacker/Penetration Tester
$70,000 – $130,000
Security Analyst
$60,000 – $110,000
Cybersecurity Analyst
$60,000 – $120,000
Security Consultant
$70,000 – $140,000
Information Security Manager
$80,000 – $150,000
Network Security Engineer
$70,000 – $130,000
Network Security Administrator
$60,000 – $120,000
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Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
If you’re interested in the managerial aspects of information security, the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification from ISACA is worth considering. This certification focuses on validating your competence in areas such as governance, program development, and various management practices, including incident and risk management. With CISM, cybersecurity professionals can smoothly transition into management roles. It’s a globally recognized certification that enjoys widespread acknowledgement and is often requested by organizations and government agencies.
Requirements
In order to be eligible for the CISM exam, you must have a minimum of five years of experience in information security management. You can count up to two years of this requirement with general information security experience. Additionally, you may be able to waive one or two years of experience if you hold another certification in good standing or if you have a graduate degree in a field related to information security.
Best For
The CISM certification is globally recognized as a professional requirement in IT Security. It is particularly beneficial for individuals working as security consultants and managers, IT managers & directors, security architects & auditors, security system engineers, CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers), and information security professionals.
How to Get It
If you want to obtain the CISM certification, Simplilearn offers training courses that follow ISACA standards. By enrolling in this course, you can gain valuable security skills in security architecture, governance, and incident management that are essential for information security management roles.
Cost
$575 is for members, $760 is for non-members
Potential Job Roles And Salary After Obtaining CISM Certification
Job Role
Avg salary
Director of information security
$153,898
IT Manager
$105,134
Information risk consultant
$79,429
Data governance manager
$107,126
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CompTIA Security+ Cybersecurity Certification
CompTIA Security+ is a foundational certification in the field of cyber security that tests essential skills for various roles. This certification demonstrates your readiness for entry-level cybersecurity jobs. The exam covers various topics, including attacks, threats, and vulnerabilities, security architecture and design, data security, access management, implementation, operations, and incident response, as well as governance, risk management, and compliance.
Requirements
To take the Security+ exam, there is no prerequisite. However, it is recommended that you first earn your Network+ certification and have at least two years of IT experience with a focus on security.
Best For
The CompTIA Security+ certification is perfect for individuals who are new to the cybersecurity field and want to build a strong foundation of security knowledge. It’s also beneficial for IT professionals who are transitioning into security professional roles or those in non-security positions who wish to expand their comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity principles. This certification holds particular value for entry-level certifications for security information positions such as security administrators, network administrators, and junior cybersecurity analysts.
How to Get It
You can take the CompTIA Security+ exam at a designated testing center or online. The exam consists of multiple-choice and performance-based questions. To prepare and become certified in CompTIA Security+, enroll in Simplilearn’s CompTIA+ training course and utilize the provided resources. This course will equip you with the skills to pass the certification exams successfully.
Cost: $370
Potential Job Roles And Salary After Obtaining CompTIA Certification
Job Role
Avg Salary
Security administrator
$61,655
Security Engineer
$92,117
Cloud Engineer
$102,622
IT Auditor
$74,108
Help desk manager
$80,298
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Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
The OSCP certification, provided by Offensive Security, has become a popular and highly desired credential in the field of penetration testing. This certification assesses your skills in executing complex exploits to compromise target systems. The OSCP certification training and examination cover a range of important areas.
These include creating detailed reports, gathering necessary information, conducting vulnerability scans, understanding common web application attack techniques like SQL Injection, proficiency in client-side attacks, evading antivirus defenses, executing password-based attacks, and achieving privilege escalation on both Windows and Linux systems. This extensive coverage ensures that individuals who hold the OSCP certification are well-prepared to handle the complex challenges of modern penetration testing.
Requirements
To take the exam, there are no specific prerequisites. However, Offensive Security suggests having some knowledge of networking, Bash scripting, Linux, and Perl/Python. It is also helpful to have completed the Penetration Testing with Kali course.
Best For
The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification is perfect for individuals looking to establish themselves as skilled penetration testers. This certification is highly recommended for aspiring ethical hackers, security consultants, network professionals, and anyone seeking to excel in offensive security.
How to Get It
To earn the Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification, you must enroll in their official training course. The course and certification can be purchased together for $1,599, which includes 90 days of lab access and one exam attempt. Additional lab access and exam attempts can be purchased as add-ons if needed.
Cost:
Starting from $999
Potential Job Roles And Salary After Obtaining OSCP Certification
Job Role
Avg Salary
Penetration tester
$97,465
Application security analyst
$96,140
Ethical hacker
$105,548
Threat researcher
$57,612
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Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification is designed for individuals with a background in IT and security professionals who want to enhance their careers in cloud-based cybersecurity. Getting CCSP accreditation demonstrates your expertise in protecting valuable assets within cloud environments, making you an attractive candidate for employers looking for cloud security knowledge
Requirements
To pursue the CCSP certification, candidates usually have a background in both IT and security. The prerequisites for this certification include five years of cumulative experience in IT, with at least three years focused on information security and one year in any of the six (ISC)² CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) domains. Candidates can also fulfill the experience requirements through alternative paths, such as obtaining the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK) from the Cloud Security Alliance.
Best For
The CCSP certification is a perfect choice for IT professionals who want to specialize in cloud security. It is designed for individuals who wish to enhance their skills in cloud security and be recognized as competent practitioners in this field. Moreover, cybersecurity experts who aspire to specialize in cloud environments will find the CCSP certification particularly valuable.
How to Get It
To achieve the CCSP certification, you must fulfill the experience requirements and successfully pass a certification exam that evaluates your knowledge of cloud security. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and tests your understanding of various cloud security domains. If you’re preparing for the exam, consider enrolling in the Simplilearn CCSP training course, utilizing practice tests, and joining study groups to enhance your preparation.
Cost
The cost of the CCSP exam is USD 599.
Potential Job Roles And Salary After Obtaining CCSP Certification
Job Role
Avg Salary
Security Architect
$139,873
Information technology analyst
$79,684
Security Engineer
$110,000
Cyber Security Analyst
$122,426
Information Security Manager
$119,794
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Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Earning the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) credential from ISACA demonstrates your expertise in identifying security vulnerabilities, implementing controls, and ensuring compliance. It is a widely respected certification in the cybersecurity auditing field, making it highly desirable for professionals seeking career advancement in the industry. Obtaining the CISA certification boosts your professional opportunities and provides you with valuable expertise in audit planning, execution, and reporting. The certification covers various domains, including information systems, IT management and governance, acquisition and implementation, and operations.
Requirements
The program requires a minimum of five years of experience in IT or IS audit, control, security, or assurance. Additionally, candidates with a two-year degree can substitute one year of required experience, while those with a four-year degree can substitute two years of experience.
Best For
CISA is a great fit for security engineers looking to transition into auditing or dedicated auditors seeking certification. This certification is especially advantageous for internal and external auditors who want to demonstrate their proficiency in the field.
How to Get It
Gain expertise in information systems, security, and audit processes through Simplilearn’s CISA Certification Training Course. This comprehensive program will help you master essential skills like vulnerability assessment, IS audit guidelines, and governance practices. With this training, you can confidently prepare for the CISA exam and excel in your professional career.
Cost
CISA certification costs $575 for members and $760 for non-members.
Potential Job Roles And Salary After Obtaining CISA Certification
Job Role
Avg Salary
IT audit manager
$109,050
IT project manager
$94,137
Compliance program manager
$91,915
Cybersecurity auditor
$77,583
Information security analyst
$83,109
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GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
The GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) provided by GIAC is a beginner-level cyber security certification created for individuals who have a basic understanding of information systems and networking. This certification confirms your skills in different security areas, including network security, active defense, cryptography, cloud security, and incident response.
Requirements
While there are no specific prerequisites for taking the GSEC exam, having prior relevant experience in information systems or computer networking can greatly contribute to your success in obtaining the certification.
Best For
The GSEC certification is recommended for a wide range of individuals in the field of cybersecurity. This includes security professionals, managers, IT engineers, security administrators, operations personnel, penetration testers, forensic analysts, and auditors. If you have a background in IT and are looking to make a transition into the cybersecurity domain, the GSEC certification could be an excellent option for you.
How to Get It
To obtain the GSEC certification, you must take the Security Essentials exam. This exam utilizes a unique testing approach developed by GIAC called CyberLive. It evaluates candidates based on real-world scenarios, code, and virtual machines. The GIAC information security fundamentals covers various topics, including access control, password management, cryptography, cloud security, incident handling, and more. GIAC offers practice tests, online and in-person training programs, and exam scheduling through their website.
Cost
$2,499, which includes two practice tests.
Potential Job Roles And Salary After Obtaining GSEC Certification
Job Role
Avg Salary
Computer forensic analyst
$76,419
Software development engineer
$128,410
IT security manager
$119,246
Penetration tester
$90,673
IT Auditor
$74,108
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Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)
The CSSLP certification, provided by (ISC)², is a highly regarded credential recognized worldwide. It emphasizes explicitly secure software development and aims to boost your professional growth by equipping you with the necessary skills to incorporate security practices into each stage of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC).
Requirements
To obtain the CSSLP certification, individuals are required to have at least four years of paid professional work experience in the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) field. This experience must be in one or more of the eight domains outlined in the CSSLP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Alternatively, those with a four-year degree in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), or related fields can qualify with three years of cumulative paid SDLC professional work experience. It’s worth noting that associate positions, part-time work, and internships may also count towards meeting the experience requirements.
Best For
The CSSLP certification is well-suited for professionals in software development, security, and related fields. It is particularly beneficial for roles such as Software Architects, Software Engineers, Software Developers, Application Security Specialists, Quality Assurance Testers, Penetration Testers, and others. By obtaining this certification, individuals showcase their proficiency in ensuring secure software design and implementation. This expertise makes them valuable assets in the realm of cybersecurity.
How to Get It
To begin your path toward the CSSLP certification, you can start by becoming an (ISC)² Candidate. By doing so, you’ll receive a 20% discount on the Official (ISC)² Online Instructor-Led Training for CSSLP exam preparation. This training will equip you with advanced technical knowledge and skills necessary to integrate security measures into the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). Once you meet the experience requirements, you can then register for the CSSLP exam and proceed with comprehensive preparation.
Cost
To schedule the CSSLP exam, the fee is $599. If you need to reschedule your exam, an additional $50 fee is applicable.
Potential Job Roles And Salary After Obtaining CSSLP Certification
Job Role
Avg Salary
Software Engineer
$99,003
Software Engineering / Development Director
$88,255
Senior Software Engineer
$86,086
Security Analyst
$79,280
Cyber Security Engineer
$79,459
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Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
The GCIH (Certified Incident Handler) security certification, provided by GIAC, is designed to assess your knowledge of offensive operations and your ability to detect, respond to, and defend against different cyber attacks. This certification exam covers incident handling, computer crime investigation, hacker exploits, and hacker tools.
Requirements
While there are no formal prerequisites for taking the GCIH exam, having a basic understanding of security principles, networking protocols, and the Windows Command Line can provide added benefit.
Best For
The GCIH certification is designed for professionals in incident response positions. It is especially relevant for individuals working as Security Incident Handlers, System Administrators, Security Practitioners, and Security Architects. This certification is important for those who have a critical role in addressing and mitigating cyber attacks and breaches.
How to Get It
To evaluate your knowledge in a realistic virtual machine environment, the GCIH exam utilizes the CyberLive platform. The exam includes 106 questions and lasts for four hours. You have the option to take it either on-site or online. Practice tests are available to assist you in preparing, and various training programs can help enhance your knowledge and skills.
Cost
$2,499 (with two practice tests)
Potential Job Roles And Salary After Obtaining GCIH Certification
Job Role
Avg Salary
Security Architect
$126,281
System administrator
$78,885
Security incident handler
$48,757
Information security engineer
$106,116