The exceptional rise of cybercrime in the past half-decade has triggered an extensive need for countermeasures. Cybersecurity professionals have risen in demand with the unemployment rate for this industry falling to 0%. In light of these developments, cybersecurity certification has become one of the most sought-after fields of education. Cybersecurity bootcamps around the world are trying to plug in the growing demand.
10 Top Cybersecurity Certifications
While it is easy to decide that cybersecurity is the career to pursue, deciding which certification exactly can be tricky. Here are a few that you can choose from:
1. Certified Ethical Hacker
One of the biggest challenges in cybersecurity is system hacking. Even organizations like Facebook have had unfortunate encounters where data from millions of users was stolen through the same technique. A Certified Ethical Hacker or White Hat Hacker is a professional who has the necessary skills and knowledge to reverse engineer the hacking process or loophole in the infrastructure which a ‘Red Hat Hacker’ may exploit.
2. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Considered the decision-makers on cybersecurity matters in an organization, a CISSP professional is one of the most sought-after positions in the market today. It is an advanced level certification that allows the individual to land a role where they plan and execute strategies as well as cybersecurity guidelines that will help their organization battle challenges easily. For CISSP, an individual has to have at least five years of experience in two Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) areas or a college degree with four years of experience in any two CBK departments.
3. CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security+ is one of the certifications which are approved by the United States Department of Defense besides being in compliance with ISO-17024. This makes it one of the most reputable and well-paid degrees. Although it is recommended to acquire the CompTIA Network+ certificate before Security+, the latter still calls for two years of experience before being eligible. CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level position where expertise is required in subjects like cryptography, identity and threat management etc.
4. Certified Information Privacy Professional
This certification provides a person with the ability to master principle-based frameworks. The focus of this field of study lies in the privacy and security of information systems as well as the networking infrastructure of organizations. Payscale sources put the average salary of a Certified Information Privacy Professional at around $120,000 per annum.
5. CCNA Security
A Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) in cybersecurity is level two out of five provided by Cisco. It is a certification that shows that a person has acquired a specific level of skill and knowledge regarding networks and their components. A CCNA Security qualified professional can land the following jobs: Network Administrator, Network Engineer, and Senior Network Engineer.
6. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
Risk assessment and mitigation is one of the most crucial domains when it comes to cybersecurity. Organizations need to constantly evaluate their standing and reduce them to an extent where it is no more a threat. A CRISC qualified individual has expertise in risk management of information security. The average salary for CRISC roles is almost $119,000 per year.
7. Certified Information Systems Auditor
CISA or Certified Information Systems Auditor is another qualification that focuses on risk management through auditing. Although not entirely an audit-related certificate because there are other aspects to it as well, CISA professionals possess control, security, and managing checks and balances skills. With CISA qualification, individuals are required to perform system and network checks to ascertain their vulnerability level.
8. Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
This is another one of the cool jobs in cybersecurity. After Certified Ethical Hacker, which obviously is an attractive title, CHFI is a degree that confers an individual with the credentials that they are qualified in carrying out forensic investigations in response to cyberattacks. CHFI professionals assist organizations with cybercrime investigations before or after an activity like this.
9. CCNP Security
Level 3 of the Cisco certification is CCNP. It is a professional-level qualification that is recognized around the world. It is the next step after CCNA and having this certification means you have gone a step up in understanding networks and the intricacies related to it.
10. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
With an average salary of $122,000 every year, CISM is a qualification that demonstrates that an individual has a profound understanding of business objectives as well as information security components.
