Cyberattacks are continuing to increase. This can be blamed on how fast tech advances or the inability of businesses to keep up (or both). Just one attack is too many for any business. IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach report found that 2022 had the highest average cost for data breaches globally in 17 years — $4.35 million. While these numbers are frightening, businesses can improve their security posture by implementing more robust security methods such as zero trust and encouraging IT professionals to obtain cybersecurity certifications.
SEE: Explore TechRepublic Premium’s cybersecurity security engineer hiring kit to see what companies are looking for.
Complex security methods require highly-skilled cybersecurity professionals to implement and manage them. If you’re a professional looking to join the world of IT and cybersecurity, the time to do so is now.
Jump to:
- Why earn a security certification?
- Key benefits of security certifications
- How do I choose the best security certification?
- Review methodology
Why earn cybersecurity certifications?
Cybersecurity certifications can help showcase your skills in cryptography, SecOps and other cybersecurity disciplines. Plus it can help you stand out to potential employers when applying for new positions. If you’re currently employed, a cybersecurity certification can help you advance within your organization, opening the door to many possibilities.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional: Best for experienced professionals
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is offered by (ISC)². According to (ISC)², this certification helps professionals prove their skills in designing, implementing and managing cybersecurity programs. The CISSP is best suited for experienced cybersecurity professionals such as analysts and architects, as well as those in the C-suite such as Chief Information Officers. If the CISSP isn’t for you, (ISC)² also offers certifications such as the CCSP for Cloud Security and the HCISPP for Healthcare Security and Privacy.
Prerequisites
CISSP requires candidates to gain a minimum of five years of relevant experience in two of eight specified security domains. Approved college degrees and other credentials may qualify as a year of experience.
Key skills taught
- Security assessment and testing.
- Network security.
- Security architecture.
- Risk management.
Key differentiators
- Lengthy exam.
- Experience requirement.
- Broad scope.
Duration of training and exam
- Official certification training lasts five days and goes from 8 AM to 5 PM.
- Four-hour exam with 75 to 125 multiple-choice questions.
Cost of training and exam
- Expect to spend over $2,000 for CISSP training.
- $749 for the certification exam.
CompTIA Security+: Best for entry or intermediate level professionals within the tech industry
CompTIA is a leader in certification for professionals within the tech industry. The CompTIA Security+ certification is sought after by many employers. In fact, according to CompTIA, this certification is chosen by more corporations than any other certification on the market.
The CompTIA Security+ certification covers subject matter such as forensics, risk management and cloud operations. Unlike many other certifications, the CompTIA Security+ certification requires professionals to prove their hands-on troubleshooting skills.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for the CompTIA Security+; however, candidates are encouraged to have at least two years of relevant IT administrative experience.
Key skills taught
- Threat assessment.
- Cryptography.
- Risk management.
- Incident response.
- Access management.
Key differentiators
- Real-world applications.
- Comprehensive security knowledge.
Duration of training and exam
- Training lasts for 10 days and takes place Monday through Friday at varying times.
- Exam has a maximum of 90 questions and lasts 90 minutes.
- Passing score of 750 out of 900.
Cost of training and exam
- $392 for the exam.
- $2,499 for live online training.
CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner: Best for advanced CompTIA certification
The CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner certification was designed for “advanced practitioners” in security instead of individuals within management roles. The CASP+ is best for security architects or engineers that get their hands dirty every day inside critical networks.
CASP+ covers how to build security architecture and how to implement the right solutions to protect it. Practitioners will learn the ins and outs of governance, risk and compliance as well as cryptography and other disciplines.
Prerequisites
- No specific requirements; however, CompTIA recommends a minimum of ten years of IT administrative experience.
Key skills taught
- Governance, compliance and risk.
- Security operations.
- Security architecture.
- Security engineering.
- Cryptography.
Key differentiators
- Advanced-level focus.
- Focus on management and leadership skills.
- Practical application.
Duration of training and exam
- Training dates and times vary widely based on instructor and location.
- Exam is 165 minutes.
- No scale. It is a pass-or-fail exam.
- Maximum of 90 questions.
Cost of training and exam
- Exam cost is $494.
- Training costs can vary widely depending on location and training provider.
Certified Ethical Hacker: Best for aspiring cybersecurity professionals
The Certified Ethical Hacker certification by the EC-Council is the top-rated ethical hacking certification. This certification provides security professionals with knowledge about the hacking tools and techniques used to hack ethically.
Inside this certification, professionals will have access to hands-on hacking exercises, live demonstrations and more. Subject matter includes everything from cloud computing to web applications used for hacking.
Prerequisites
There are no set education or experience requirements for the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification.
Key skills taught
- Ethical hacking methodologies.
- Network security.
- Security penetration testing.
- Footprinting.
- Malware analysis.
Key differentiators
- Includes hands-on ethical handling experience.
- Covers a variety of security topics.
Duration of training and exam
- The duration of training depends on the delivery method. Instructor-led classes have five to 10 days of training.
- The duration of the exam is four hours and consists of 125 questions.
Cost of training and exam
- $850 to $3,000 for training. Self-paced training is cheaper, starting at $250.
- The exam cost is $1,199.
Certified Information Systems Auditor: Best for information security professionals in auditing and assurance
The Certified Information Systems Auditor was designed for professional security auditors who wish to prove their expertise. This certification covers auditing processes, governance, information system development, protection of assets and much more.
The CISA is best for entry-level to mid-level professionals with basic knowledge of information systems. Those interested in this certification will find a wide range of exam prep materials such as an online review course and review manuals.
Prerequisites
- Five years of experience in security, control or information systems auditing.
Key skills taught
- Governance and management of IT systems.
- Information system auditing.
- Protection of information assets.
- Development and implementation.
Key differentiators
- Global recognition.
- Focus on IT governance and information system auditing.
- Rigorous examination.
Duration of training and exam
- Training durations and costs cary widely depending on the instructor and location.
- The exam duration is four hours and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions.
Cost of training and exam
- $760 for the exam. ISACA members get a discounted price of $575 for the exam.
- $1,000 to $1,400 in training costs for in-person classes.
GIAC Information Security Fundamentals: Best for introduction to cybersecurity
The GIAC Information Security Fundamentals certification is the perfect option for entry-level cybersecurity professionals, including non-IT security managers and those who have recently switched to a career in cybersecurity.
This certification covers the absolute basics of cybersecurity, including terminology, the basics of computer networks, incident response, password use, network communication, risk management, wireless security and cryptography.
GIAC also offers additional certifications for cybersecurity professionals, including the GIAC Security Operations Certified certification and the GIAC Public Cloud Security certification.
Prerequisites
- No specific prerequisites for the GISF as it is designed for entry-level professionals.
Key skills taught
- Network and application security.
- Cryptography.
- Incident response.
- Security policies.
Key differentiators
- Foundation-level certification.
- Practical skills and application.
Duration of training and exam
- The duration of GISF training ranges from a few days to several weeks.
- The exam lasts from two hours and consists of 75 questions. Exams are web-based and required to be proctored.
Cost of training and exam
- $949 to $1,299 for the exam.
- The cost of GISF training depends on the training provider and course delivery method.
Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate: Best for organizations in the Microsoft ecosystem
Microsoft’s Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, through Coursera, covers a wide range of cybersecurity subjects. Participants will gain experience using Microsoft security tools and technologies.
Prerequisites
- Appropriate for beginners.
Key skills taught
- Threat intelligence.
- Incident response.
- Security operations.
- Vulnerability management.
Key differentiators
- Best for Microsoft ecosystems.
Duration of training and exam
- 6 months at 10 hours a week (flexible schedule).
Cost of training and exam
- Free enrollment as of July 20, 2023.
Key benefits of security certifications
Security certifications allow you to demonstrate your skills and knowledge related to various security applications. Here are some of the key benefits of security certifications.
Career advancement
One of the top benefits of security certifications is that it open doors for new opportunities as the demand for certified security professionals is high. Given the rise in cyber threats, it is not surprising that there is also a rise in demand for professionals that can help businesses keep their data safe.
Better knowledge and understanding
The skills you learn in a security certification will help you improve your work. Depending on the type of certification you get, you’ll gain practical knowledge of how to apply the learning to real-world applications. There are several types of certifications available, ranging from introductory to advanced.
Specialization
With so many types of security certifications available, you can choose to specialize in a specific field. For example, you can focus on specific skills for incident response, Agile methodologies or ethical hacking. This specialization will allow you to get validation of your competence in a specific field.
Increased confidence in your skills
While you can learn skills without getting certified, with a professional certification you are able to demonstrate your skills and knowledge. This helps boost your confidence as a security professional. If you are interested in learning agile skills, check our list of top scrum certifications.
How do I choose the best security certification?
With so many security certifications available, it can be challenging to pick the right one. As a first step, you need to determine what you want to gain from the certification. Are you looking for career advancement in your current field, or do you want to change career paths? For example, some certifications are more suitable for DevOps engineers. You could also be looking to get certified to learn specific skills.
Once you have assessed your requirement and identified your top priorities, you can narrow your search to find the most suitable certification. Depending on your requirements, you may have the option of vendor-specific certifications or choose to go with vendor-neutral certifications. Similarly, you could also look for certifications with instructor-led training or choose one that allows you to learn at your own pace. Other factors to consider include cost, duration of training, exam preparation and certification maintenance requirements.
Review methodology
To compile this list of top security certifications, we analyzed several certifications to short-list the best. The short-listed certifications were evaluated based on several parameters such as recognition of the certification, scope of training, cost, course duration and key differentiators compared to other certifications. We also analyzed how the software can benefit professionals in career advancement.