The Best Cyber Security Certifications to Boost Your Career
Cyber attacks have overtaken normal robbery as the fastest growing misconduct in the country, and experts say it is only going to get worse with time. Headlines reporting data breaches from giant companies like Facebook, Under Armor, Uber and so on have become commonplace, and it has become increasingly clear that customer information means a lot more than jewels to most thieves. What usually happens after any of these breaches is the increased need for better cybersecurity measures.
According to a report done by Centrify, 66% of customers in the country would immediately cease working with any company that has been hacked. This is why today, companies are paying top dollar to get the best cybersecurity team they can get.
As an IT professional, this growing demand for people with that skill set is the perfect opportunity to polish up your resume, so you can stand out among your colleagues and increase your potential income.
But today, there are so many qualifications and certifications one can have these days. Therefore, it is almost impossible to know where to start. This article reviews all the essential and top of the line cybersecurity certifications that are needed to make your resume stand out.
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- CompTIA Security+
- Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
This certification allows you to thread the thin line between being a hacker and being able to stop one. Most times, to do this, one needs to find that delicate balance between running through the spiteful thoughts that frequent the mind of the day to day cybercriminal and having a strong moral system. For most people, being able to see this line continually is not easy, and that is what informed the creation of this certification.
Some of the topics you will be taught in this class include:
- Hacking technologies that attack cloud technology, all mobile platforms, and the latest operating software
- Handling of current malware, viruses, and vulnerabilities
- Information security laws and standards
- People who wish to attain the CEH certificate are usually exposed to real life simulations where they are opened up to multiple ways hackers infiltrate networks and obtain information. They are then taught how to prevent such attacks
Individuals who successfully obtain this certification have a long list of potential jobs to choose from with the most popular being penetration testing. Being a penetration tester allows you to hack into networks without stealing data. As expected, it requires an unusually high trust level. It is worth it though as salaries open at about $130,000 annually for this position.
2. CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level certification that was built for individuals who are new to the concept of cybersecurity. The only requirement needed to take the course is two years of being an active cybersecurity employee. CompTIA Security+ is usually regarded as a general type of certification because it does not zero in on a single vendor product line.
This course teaches about extensive forms of IT security including the following:
- Network defenses and attack strategies
- Basics of operative security policies
- Network and host-based security best practices
- Disaster recovery and business continuity
- Products and encryption standard
This certification is essential for anyone who is looking to obtain the most rudimentary of IT security knowledge. It adds a bit of structure and lays the ideal foundation that is needed when taking the other courses on this list. The certification is so well renowned that it is mandatory for all U.S. Department of Defense employees.
3. Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)
This course is another popular and essential certification needed for individuals looking for general cybersecurity knowledge. For many IT companies, the CISSP is one of the lesser forms of certifications that their employees responsible for network security should have.
This course tests participants in the following domains:
- Access Control
- Cryptography
- Telecommunications
- Networking
Like CompTIA Security+, the CISSP is also a general type of certification because it does not focus on a single vendor line, and much of the knowledge gained can be used in multiple scenarios.
To take this certification, individuals need between three to five years of active cybersecurity experience. With a reputation as the “crown jewel†of cybersecurity certifications, passing this exam usually leads to a very lucrative job offer.
Like CompTIA Security+, this certification is not vendor-specific so that the knowledge can be applied to a variety of setups. Consider security architects for example who make about $150,000 annually.
4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The CISM is regarded as one of the best cybersecurity courses in the industry today. To apply, you need at least five years of active experience in the cybersecurity industry. During this program, you will be exposed to the following modules which will cover everything you need to know about cybersecurity:
- Information security program development and management
- Information security management
- Information security incident management
- Information risk management and compliance
Many consider this exam to be very daunting as it requires a lot of time and effort. But as the saying goes, the end justifies the means. CISM holders are reported to earn an average of $160,000 annually according to PayScale.
5. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
CISA was designed to focus on information auditing. IT personnel who are CISA-certified have shown their extensive audit experience, their ability to manage vulnerabilities, and their ability to implement controls at enterprise levels.
CISM and CISA are considered siblings, and as such, individuals seeking to apply need five years of experience within the field before picking up a form and enrolling in this certification program.
All the certifications on this list will help you stay up to date on the latest tools and techniques being used today by cybercriminals. It is important that all personnel involved in protecting the information of individuals online take at least one course or the other, so they can continue to stay one step ahead of hackers.