Cybersecurity is the practice of preventing breaches, damage, loss, or unauthorized access to computers, networks, and data. As our global reach expands, bad actors will have more opportunities to misuse, malfunction, or disrupt data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the job market for cybersecurity professionals will increase by 31% between 2019 and 2029.
If you’re a security professional looking to boost your profile and improve your skills by earning a certification, this article is for you. Because all organizations are now becoming targets of malware and cyberattacks, it’s no surprise that the demand for skilled professionals is increasing. For that, you should make sure that your next milestone is a Cybersecurity certification.
Top Security Certifications companies are looking for
While the majority of cybersecurity professionals have a bachelor’s degree in computer science, many organizations seek candidates who have an additional certification to verify their knowledge and skills. There is a wide range of certifications available, from entry-level to advanced. Before you decide to invest your time and money in certification, ensure it will provide you with a significant competitive advantage in your field. So, here are some of the most popular security certifications:
1. EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH v11): CEH certification training aims to teach candidates how to identify system vulnerabilities. This is one of the most well-known data security certificates available. It is designed to put the candidate’s abilities to test in realistic scenarios. An ethical hacker tests a network’s security from the inside or pretends to be an intruder from the outside. This certification is an entry-level certification that is 100% network offensive, intended for skilled, ethical hackers seeking to pursue positions such as:
Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of network fundamentals and core ideas, such as server and network components, is enough to take the CEH v11 certification exam.
CEH Exam: In the CEH exam, you have to attempt 125 multiple choice questions in 240 min, and the passing score is 60% to 80%.
2. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): Moving ahead, the cybersecurity professional organization ISC2’s CISSP certification is one of the most sought-after certifications in the industry. Obtaining your CISSP certification demonstrates that you have IT security experience and can thus set up, implement, and manage a cybersecurity program. This advanced certification is intended for skilled security professionals seeking to pursue positions such as:
Prerequisite: As this is a higher-level certification, you must have five or more years of cumulative work experience in at least two of the eight cybersecurity domains to take the CISSP exam.
CISSP Exam: The CISSP exam includes 250 multiple choice questions and advanced innovative questions, which you have to answer in 6 hours with a 70% passing score.
3. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM): ISACA’s CISM certification validates your understanding of governance, program development, event, and risk management in information security management. Earning your CISM certification could be a good choice if you wish to move from a technical to managerial cybersecurity role. This certification is intended for skilled security professionals seeking to pursue positions such as:
Prerequisite: Candidates must have five years of experience in the field of information security, with at least three years in the role of Information Security Manager, to be certified against this qualification.
CISM Exam: The CISM exam consists of 200 questions that must be answered in 4 hours. The exam’s passing score is 450, ranging from 200 to 800.
4. ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA): This CISA certification from ISACA demonstrates your experience and expertise in assessing security flaws, planning and implementing controls, and reporting compliance. It’s one of the most well-known certifications in the field of cybersecurity auditing. After completing CISA certification, professionals advance into positions such as:
Prerequisite: Aspirants must have five years of relevant work experience in the field, focusing on information systems auditing, control, assurance, or security.
CISA Exam: CISA certification exam consists of 150 questions and takes 4 hours to complete. The passing score for the exam is 450, ranging from 200 to 800.
5. CompTIA Security+: The CompTIA Security+ certification is one of the most popular entry-level exams. It’s an excellent place to start because it’s a vendor-neutral security certification. It teaches fundamental security concepts and is widely regarded as the first step towards obtaining more advanced certifications. Obtaining your Security+ certification can assist you in a variety of roles, including:
Prerequisites: A CompTIA Network+ certification is preferred but not mandatory and two years of experience in systems administration with a security focus.
CompTIA Security+ Exam: CompTIA Security+ exam consists of 90 questions and takes 90min to complete. The passing score for the exam is 75%.
6. Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP): With this (ISC)2 intermediate security certification, you can demonstrate to employers that you have the knowledge and skills to create, utilize, and manage a secure IT infrastructure. The exam assesses your knowledge of security administration, risk identification, incident response, cryptography, as well as network communication and system security. The SSCP certification is for IT professionals who work directly with a company’s security systems or resources. This certification is suitable for jobs such as:
Prerequisites: Must have a minimum of 1 year of paid work experience in one or more testing areas.
SSCP Exam: The SSCP exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions and takes 3 hours to complete with 70% passing marks.
7. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+): As the name implies, CompTIA’s Advanced Security Professional certification is intended for professionals and managers. The program will teach you how to comprehend cyber security policies and frameworks and how to implement them in your enterprise. The CASP+ certification can lead to advanced positions in architecture, risk management, and enterprise security integration. Among the possible job titles are:
Prerequisites: The CASP+ certification doesn’t necessitate any conditions to taking the CASP+ exam. Professionals with at least 10 years of IT administration experience are recommended by CompTIA.
CASP+ Exam: CASP+ consists of 90 multiple-choice questions and performance-based questions and takes 165 min to complete.
Cybersecurity Certification Training with InfosecTrain
A career in cybersecurity is pleasurable, and with a credential, experts can obtain any designation and salary they crave. First and foremost, it is essential to select the appropriate certification for one’s job posting and gather resources to meet the goal. Join InfosecTain’s cybersecurity training courses to help you prepare.