10 Popular Cybersecurity Certifications

As everything has become digitalized, the relentless evolution of technology has escalated the cyber threats. Moreover, the internet serves multiple purposes and has become an integral part of our daily lives, from purchasing a product online to work and business. Cyber security increases exponentially as the world interconnects with the network or internet.  

Moreover, many organizations, from the government to Information technology, demand a skilled professional to protect their confidential digital data from cybercrime. As a result, the demand for cybersecurity professionals remains exceptionally high, making it a dynamic and challenging career choice that promises job security and continuous growth.

This blog will discuss the ten popular cyber security certifications and their industry demand.  

1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The CISSP certification is one of the most sought-after certifications in the industry. This certification implies you can design, implement, and monitor a cybersecurity process and program. 

This certification course is mainly designed for professionals looking to progress their career in roles like:

Chief information security officer - $180,530

Security administrator - $60,650

IT security engineer - $98,945

Senior security consultant - $106,377

Information assurance analyst - $86,081

Requirements

If you intend to take this CISSP certification course, you must have four or more years of experience working in different cybersecurity domains. These can be:

Software Development Security

Communication and Network Security

Security and Risk Management

Security Operations

Asset Security

Identity and Access Management

Security Architecture and Engineering

Security Assessment and Testing

Qualification

Must have a degree related to computer science.

2. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

IT professional association ISACA designed this CISA certification, which helps professionals demonstrate their security assessment, vulnerability analysis, planning, managing, and making compliance reports. It is one of the most well-recognized certificates for cybersecurity auditing careers. This certification is designed for mid-level professionals looking to develop their career into jobs like:

Compliance program manager - $92,815

IT security engineer - $98,943

Cybersecurity auditor - $75,585

Information security analyst - $82,108

IT project manager - $93,136

IT audit manager - $108,040

Requirements

You need to have at least five years of experience in IT.

3. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

ISACA offers this CISM certification course to demonstrate your knowledge of information security management issues like governance, program design, risk management, etc. Pursuing CISM certification would be the better choice if you want to shift your technical to managerial role. After completion of this certification course, you can obtain the roles like:

Information systems security officer - $78,755

Information risk consultant - $78,428

IT manager - $104,131

Data governance manager - $105,127

Director of Information Security - $150,896

Requirements

To take the CISM exam, you must have at least five years of experience in information security management.

4. CompTIA Security+

If you are fresher, consider taking this entry-level certification course. CompTIA Security+ certification validates your security by analyzing, monitoring, and assessing cloud, IoT, and mobile security. Moreover, you will be responsible for identifying risk and compliance and responding quickly to security breaches. After completion of this certification course, you can get into roles like:

Security engineer - $91,116

Help desk manager - $80,295

Systems Administrator - $74,675

IT auditor - $73,107

Software developer - $87,567

Security administrator - $60,654

Cloud engineer - $101,621

Requirements

There are no strict requirements for taking the Security+ exam.

5. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

CEH certification offered by EC-Council helps you demonstrate your pen testing, vulnerability analysis, security, and vector skills. Ethical hacking is also known as white hat hacking. White hat hackers uncover vulnerabilities before malicious hackers breach the system or network. Consider this certification for jobs like:

Cyber incident analyst - $61,444

Penetration tester - $90,672

Cybersecurity engineer - $90,932

Threat intelligence analyst - $101,390

Cloud security architect - $124,251

Requirements

If you have two years of work experience in information security or have completed an official EC-Council program, you can take the CEH test.

6. GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) offers GSEC an entry-level certification course for those with a fundamental knowledge of information systems and networking. Job roles after completing GIAC Security Essentials certification:

Security administrator - $60,654

Computer forensic analyst - $75,418

IT auditor - $73,107

Penetration tester - $90,670

IT security manager - $118,245

Software development engineer - $127,409

Requirements

There are no specific requirements to take the GSEC exam. 

7. Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

The Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) certification allows you to explore your career path in various industries. After completing this certification, you will comprehensively understand designing, implementing, and monitoring a secure IT infrastructure. Moreover, you have gained knowledge of the following:

Access controls

Risk identification and analysis

Security administration

Incident response

Cryptography

Systems and application security

This certification is mainly designed for IT professionals, and this certification is suitable for positions like:

Network security engineer - $106,887 

Security consultant - $105,485

Systems engineer - $110,720

System administrator -$76,884

Security analyst - $82,166

Database administrator - $83,033

Requirements

The SSCP requires candidates to have at least one year of paid job experience in one or more testing areas.

8. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)

This certification course is designed for professionals with advanced knowledge and skills who intend to use the same technology. This certification course covers risk analysis, security measurement, cryptographic techniques, etc. After completing this certification course, you will have opportunities to work in risk management, security, etc.

Security engineer - $91,116

Vulnerability analyst - $93,390

Security architect - $125,280

Application security engineer - $118,260

Technical lead analyst - $101,490

Requirements

The CASP+ exam has no official prerequisites.

According to the CompTIA, those with 10+ years of experience in IT administration are eligible. 

9. GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

The GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) is a cybersecurity certification that validates professionals' abilities to detect, respond to, and mitigate security incidents effectively. GCIH holders have the knowledge and skills to manage and analyze security breaches, understand hacker tactics, and safeguard organizations against cyber threats. After completing this certification course, you will obtain the typical Job roles, including:

System administrator - $77,884

Security incident handler - $47,756

Security architect - $125,280

Requirements

No formal prerequisites are required for this certification course, but the requirement may change based on the course providers.

10. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

This certification is best suited for pen testers. It demonstrates an individual's ability to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems, making them proficient in offensive cybersecurity techniques. The OSCP can choose job positions like:

Threat researcher - $56,611

Penetration tester - $96,464

Application security analyst - $94,140

Ethical hacker -$104,547

Requirements 

There are no official prerequisites to take this exam.

We shall look at some top organizations and industries hiring cybersecurity professionals. 

Industries

Finance and Banking

Healthcare

Government and Defense

Information Technology (IT)

Energy and Utilities

Retail and E-commerce

Manufacturing

Education

Consulting Firms

Media and Entertainment

Legal and Law Enforcement

These are the few industries hiring skilled and certified cybersecurity professionals. Now, we shall look at the organization hiring cybersecurity specialists.

Organizations

Google

Facebook

Microsoft

Amazon

IBM

Apple

JPMorgan Chase

Wells Fargo

United States Department of Defense

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Agency (NSA)

CIA (Central Intelligence Agency)

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)

Deloitte

Accenture

The organization's and industry's requirements differ according to the job role. So, before choosing a job, you must select an industry and equip yourself with domain-specific skills. 

How to get into cybersecurity

Now, we shall discuss a few crucial steps that will help you land your career in the cybersecurity field. 

Step 1: Get a degree in computer science.

Step 2: Join the entry-level certification course

Step 3: Start applying for entry-level job positions in the company. 

Now that you have understood the level of certification, organization, industries, and simple steps to get into the cybersecurity field. These certifications can significantly enhance your career prospects in their respective fields and are recognized by employers worldwide. Be sure to choose the certification that aligns with your career goals and interests. Those who interested can approach Sulekha, a multiple IT related course provider, who provide wide range of certification in cybersecurity.