Which cybersecurity certifications should you get?

If you're asking yourself, "Which cybersecurity certifications should I get," you're in the right place. Industry-recognized certifications can help you stand out from your peers and enter into the cybersecurity field or advance within it.

Discover which organizations offer certifications for cybersecurity professionals, what these credentials entail, and where they might lead.

What certification means for cybersecurity professionals

Certifications can have a considerable impact on a cybersecurity professional's career. While not always mandatory, these credentials demonstrate mastery in the field and a specialized skill set.

Here are some of the possible benefits that certifications can provide.

• Improved job prospects: According to a 2023 workforce study from the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2), 70% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed believe that certification and experience are more valuable than a degree.
• Higher earning potential: Global salaries for professionals with a certification from the ISC2 range from $95,000-$120,000.
• Advanced career opportunities: According to the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), 27% of professionals who earned certifications received promotions.

What kind of organizations offer cybersecurity certifications?

Unlike certificates that are offered through colleges and universities, cybersecurity certifications typically come from industry associations, training organizations, and tech companies.

To earn these credentials, professionals usually must pass an exam demonstrating they meet industry standards. They may also need to meet educational and experience requirements to qualify.

Many organizations may support their employees with certification opportunities by providing them with financial assistance and the time required to upskill. In organizations that administer certifications, employees may be offered access to the credential as a job perk.

Here are some of the top cybersecurity certification providers.

Cisco

Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Security certification: Designed for security professionals with at least three years of experience, the CCNP Security certification teaches knowledge of key security concepts, along with network, cloud, and content security solutions.

Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) Security certification: The CCIE Security certification helps you build skills in security policy orchestration and enforcement, cloud adoption, and Python automation. This certification is best for professionals with at least five years of experience.

CompTIA

CompTIA Security+: The Security+ certification is geared towards early career professionals with two years of experience. In this program, you will gain knowledge of general security concepts, common threats, and security architecture and operations.

CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+): Designed for professionals with at least four years of experience, the CySA+ certification can help you build skills in security operations, vulnerability management, and incident response and reporting.

CompTIA PenTest+: The PenTest+ certification teaches expertise in common attacks and exploits, reconnaissance, and vulnerability discovery and analysis. This certification is best for professionals with three to four years of experience.

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+): The CASP+ certification is designed for experts with at least 10 years of experience and prepares you with skills in security architecture, operations, and engineering.

Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)

GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC): The GSEC certification prepares new cybersecurity professionals with foundations in cyber defense, cryptography, and network architecture.

GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst Certification (GCIA): Designed for cybersecurity analysts, the GCIA certification teaches traffic analysis, intrusion detection systems, and traffic forensics and monitoring.

GIAC Network Forensic Analyst (GNFA): Geared toward forensic specialists, the GFNA certification focuses on network architecture, encryption, and network analysis.

GIAC offers over 30 cybersecurity certifications, including credentials focused on offensive operations, defense, cloud security, industrial control systems, digital forensics, and cybersecurity leadership.

International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2)

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP): The CCSP certification teaches cloud architecture, data security, application security, and operations and is designed for professionals with at least five years of experience.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): For cybersecurity professionals with about five years of experience, the CISSP certification helps you hone skills in risk management, asset security, architecture, network security, and asset management.

Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP): The SSCP is for early-career cybersecurity professionals with at least one year of experience. It prepares you with knowledge of common security concepts, access controls, cryptography, and incident response and recovery.

ISC2 offers many other cybersecurity certifications, including Information Systems Security Architecture Professional and Information Systems Security Management Professional certifications.

ISACA

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM): The CISM certification is best suited for professionals with at least five years of security management experience. This program will prepare you with knowledge in information security governance, incident management, and information security risk management.

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA): For professionals with five years of experience who are interested in becoming systems auditors, the CISA certification teaches about the auditing process, IT governance and management, and systems development and operations.

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC): Designed for professionals with at least three years of experience, the CRISC certification prepares you with skills in corporate IT governance, risk assessment, IT security, and risk response and reporting.