Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field, with a projected 33% market growth from 2020-2030. Considering the average for other industries is 8% – that’s pretty significant! And it’s no wonder, considering the rise of data breaches, including government hackers seeking important data.
Looking for a career change? There’s no better time to consider a career in cybersecurity. U.S. businesses and government agencies are spending billions of dollars annually to protect their data and assets from malicious attacks. In fact, according to the 2022 Official Cybercrime Report by Cybersecurity Ventures, global cybersecurity spending will total $1.75 trillion between 2021 and 2025.
Here are a few different career options you can choose from when seeking a career in cybersecurity:
- 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
The following cybersecurity certifications are excellent ways to firm up your skill set and bolster your resume for hiring managers seeking to attract and retain the best employees.
Read Also: Cybersecurity Certifications and their costs
1. CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker
How do the most secure organizations protect themselves from hackers? Ethical hacking. An ethical hacker tests an organization’s software security by attempting to hack into their system. This certification teaches you how to think and act like a hacker. Topics include hacking technologies, the latest vulnerabilities, information security laws, and standards. Students are put through real-time scenarios, exposed to hacking techniques, and taught how to scan, hack and protect their system from the same. This course benefits security professionals, site administrators, and anyone concerned with network security. Before applying to a penetration tester position, arm yourself with this certification.
Best for: Programmers interested in penetration tester roles.
2. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) by (ISC)²
Prerequisites
Yes. You need at least five years of experience in information security management before getting certified. This must be accrued within the 10-year period before applying for certification. You can also fulfill this requirement within five years from the exam date. If you have other certifications, such as the CISA or CISSP, the first two years of this requirement will be waived. If you’ve completed the GIAC, the CompTIA+ security certification, or another related skill-based certification, then one year will get waived.
Overview
The CISM certification focuses on information security governance, compliance, and risk management. It’s more focused on the managerial (rather than technical) aspects of these core areas. The exam contains 150 questions. For the CISM exam, they have affiliate material that can help you pass.
This certification gives you the tools to excel in the management part of cybersecurity. Some topics of interest include:
- Security Risk Management
- Program Development and Management
- Governance
- Incident Management and Response
Best For
Cybersecurity professionals with technical experience in IS/IT security looking to shift to a managerial position must consider this certification.
3. CompTIA Secuirty +
CompTIA is a respected authority in the cybersecurity industry, offering various certifications to support growth in cybersecurity careers and education. The CompTIA Security+ certification is a great certificate in cybersecurity for IT professionals just starting in the security field. The exam covers a wide range of topics, like cyber attacks, incident response, architecture and design, governance and compliance, risk management, and cryptography.
With CompTIA Security+, you will learn about risk analysis and access management, asset security, penetration testing, network security, cloud security, and many other core concepts. The certification exam consists of 90 questions which you need to answer in 90 minutes. They recommend having two years of IT experience before pursuing this certification. However, this is not mandatory.
Best For
Those starting out in the industry will find this to be a good starting point. This certification will prepare you to become network engineers and security administrators.
4. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP)
Moving up the certification ladder at CompTIA, the CASP is an advanced cybersecurity certification with hands-on experience in security engineering and architecture. Other topics covered include cryptography and governance. Despite the advanced level, this isn’t one of the best cybersecurity certifications for managers; instead, it’s a better fit for professionals who wish to work in technology as architects and engineers.
Best For
It’s recommended (but not mandatory) that you have at least ten years of experience in IT administration and at least five years of technical security experience.
5. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
The CISSP is one of the best cybersecurity certifications for programmers and professionals seeking to advance their careers in the industry. It’s certainly not for beginners, requiring 5+ years of experience. It’s not uncommon to see security engineers and chief information officers with this designation; however, they likely have many others as well. The CISSP certification is the most common requirement or preferred qualification for cybersecurity job postings.
Best For
This course is for CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, and other executives looking to upskill. It’s also good for directors and managers who want to transition into these roles.
6. GSEC: GIAC Security Essentials
The Global Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) is one of the top cybersecurity certifications for beginner programmers looking to dive into the cybersecurity field. An entry-level certification, the GSEC is designed for professionals who aspire to occupy ‘hands-on’ security roles. Some topics covered include active defense, cryptography, cloud security, and incident response. And, graduates will have a strong basis to have authority in roles in these fields:
- Information Security Program Development and Management
- Information Security Management
- Software Development Engineering
- IT Auditing
7. CyberSecurity Fundamentals Certificate (ISACA)
Overview
This self-paced certificate course goes beyond teaching the fundamentals. It also gives the opportunity to test what you learned with application-based components. The course covers fundamental concepts of cybersecurity, network architecture, risk management, security tools, and threat analysis. The exam covers the fundamentals of information security, threat landscape, along with security operations and response.
Best For
Those who want practical experience while getting their certification will find this certificate useful. Since there are no prerequisites and the passing mark is 65%, anyone can take this certification and most can pass it.
8. CyberSecurity Fundamentals Certificate (ISACA)
Overview
This self-paced certificate course goes beyond teaching the fundamentals. It also gives the opportunity to test what you learned with application-based components. The course covers fundamental concepts of cybersecurity, network architecture, risk management, security tools, and threat analysis. The exam covers the fundamentals of information security, threat landscape, along with security operations and response.
Best For
Those who want practical experience while getting their certification will find this certificate useful. Since there are no prerequisites and the passing mark is 65%, anyone can take this certification and most can pass it.
9. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
Prerequisites
Yes. This certification has a mandatory requirement of experience. You need to have familiarity with Python or Bash and a solid understanding of TCP/IP networking. You also need Linux administration experience.
Overview
The OSCP certification has a self-paced ethical hacking course. You will have access to exercises through which you will get instant feedback on your solutions. You can choose the individual course option, which gives you ninety days of access with one exam attempt. The other course upgrades allow for longer access time and multiple/unlimited exam attempts. The exam spans 24 hours.
Best For
This certification will make you a competent penetration tester, and your body of knowledge in this sought-out field can help you ask for a high salary. It’s a good fit for anyone who wants access to the latest hacking techniques and lab access for practical experience.
10. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Prerequisites
Yes. A minimum of five years of experience in a qualifying field is required.
Overview
The CISA certification covers privacy design solutions for technology platforms. The affiliate course teaches you how to plan, communicate, and conduct audits. You’ll also learn how to utilize data analytic tools and evaluate IT management controls.
The exam duration is four hours, and you have to answer 150 questions. It has the same 5-year requirements as mentioned under the CISM certification.
Best For
This certification benefits junior or mid-level IT auditors or consultants who want to build a career in security auditing. Employees with CISA certifications are known to hit 100K salaries easily.