Top Cybersecurity Certifications to Boost Your Career

In the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity, certifications play a pivotal role in validating your skills, demonstrating your knowledge, and advancing your career.

As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, organizations are seeking professionals who possess recognized credentials to safeguard their digital assets.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to the top cybersecurity certifications for 2024 that can significantly enhance your career prospects.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The CISSP certification from (ISC)² is one of the most respected certifications in the cybersecurity industry. It covers a broad range of topics including security and risk management, asset security, and communication and network security.

Skills Acquired

• Security and risk management

• Asset security

• Security architecture and engineering

• Identity and access management (IAM)

• Security operations

• Software development security

Requirements

• Five years of cumulative paid work experience in at least two of the eight CISSP domains.

• Earning a four-year degree can substitute for one year of experience.

Exam Details

• Length: Four hours

• Format: 125-175 items

• Cost: $749

Career Impact

CISSP is ideal for experienced professionals aiming for senior roles like IT director, security manager, or Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). The certification can significantly boost your earning potential, with salaries averaging around $156,699 in the U.S.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

The CEH certification by the EC-Council equips professionals with the skills to identify and exploit system vulnerabilities legally and ethically. It is essential for roles focused on penetration testing and offensive security.

Skills Acquired

• Attack detection and prevention

• Penetration testing

• Understanding of latest hacking techniques and tools

Requirements

• Two years of work experience in information security or completion of an official EC-Council training program.

Exam Details

• Length: Four hours

• Format: 125 multiple-choice questions

• Cost: $950-$1,199

Career Impact

CEH is crucial for roles such as penetration tester and security analyst. CEH-certified professionals earn an average salary of $102,366.

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

CISM, offered by ISACA, focuses on managing and governing an enterprise’s information security program. It is ideal for individuals aspiring to managerial roles in IT security.

Skills Acquired

• Information risk management

• Information security governance

• Incident management

• Security program development and management

Requirements

• Five years of experience in information security management, with some substitutions allowed for education.

Exam Details

• Length: Four hours

• Format: 150 questions

• Cost: $575 for members, $760 for non-members

Career Impact

CISM is valued for roles such as security manager and IT consultant. Professionals with this certification can expect average salaries of $167,396 in the U.S.

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

CISA, another ISACA certification, is designed for professionals who audit, control, and monitor information technology and business systems.

Skills Acquired

• IT governance

• Systems auditing

• Control and assurance

Requirements

• Five years of professional experience in information systems auditing, control, or security.

Exam Details

• Length: Four hours

• Format: 150 questions

• Cost: $575 for members, $760 for non-members

Career Impact

CISA-certified professionals often hold positions like IT auditor and audit manager, with average salaries around $154,500.

CompTIA Security

CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level certification covering fundamental security concepts.

It is a great starting point for individuals new to cybersecurity.

Skills Acquired

• Threat management

• Cryptography

• Identity management

• Security risk identification and mitigation

Requirements

• No prerequisites, but CompTIA recommends having Network+ certification and two years of IT experience with a security focus.

Exam Details

• Length: 90 minutes

• Format: 90 questions

• Cost: $392

Career Impact

Security+ certification holders can pursue roles such as systems administrator and network administrator, with average salaries of $108,709.

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

The CCSP certification by (ISC)² focuses on cloud security, addressing topics like cloud architecture, governance, and risk management.

Skills Acquired

• Cloud data security

• Cloud platform and infrastructure security

• Cloud application security

• Legal and compliance issues in cloud environments

Requirements

• Five years of IT experience, including three years in information security and one year in one or more of the six CCSP domains.

Exam Details

• Length: Three hours

• Format: 125 questions

• Cost: $599

Career Impact

CCSP is ideal for roles such as cloud security architect and security consultant. Professionals with this certification can expect average salaries of $104,987.

Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

The SSCP certification by (ISC)² is for IT administrators focusing on operational security. It validates your ability to implement, monitor, and administer IT infrastructure with security policies.

Skills Acquired

• Security operations and administration

• Incident response and recovery

• Network and communications security

Requirements

• One year of cumulative work experience in one or more of the SSCP domains.

Exam Details

• Length: Three hours

• Format: 125 questions

• Cost: $249

Career Impact

SSCP-certified professionals can work as systems administrators and security analysts, with average salaries reflecting the demand for their skills.

AWS Certified Security – Specialty

This AWS certification validates expertise in securing AWS environments.

It focuses on data protection, infrastructure security, and incident response.

Skills Acquired

• Implementing security controls

• Managing AWS security services

• Handling incident response in AWS

Requirements

• Five years of IT security experience, with two years of hands-on experience in securing AWS workloads.

Exam Details

• Length: 170 minutes

• Format: Multiple-choice and multiple-response questions

• Cost: $300

Career Impact

AWS Certified Security – Specialty professionals can expect roles like cloud security architect and solutions architect, with salaries averaging $166,449.

Certified Information Security Technician (CIST)

The CIST certification from GIAC is designed for those wanting to become technical experts in cybersecurity. It is hands-on and covers various technical aspects.

Skills Acquired

• Network security

• Incident handling

• Security operations

Requirements

• Relevant work experience or completion of GIAC training programs.

Exam Details

• Length: Four hours

• Format: 150 questions

• Cost: $899

Career Impact

CIST-certified professionals can pursue roles as security engineers and network security specialists, with competitive salaries.

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

CRISC by ISACA focuses on risk management and control, making it ideal for professionals who specialize in assessing and managing IT risk.

Skills Acquired

• IT risk identification and assessment

• Risk response and mitigation

• Risk monitoring

Requirements

• Three years of cumulative work experience in at least two of the four CRISC domains.

Exam Details

• Length: Four hours

• Format: 150 questions

• Cost: $575 for members, $760 for non-members

Career Impact

CRISC-certified professionals often work as risk managers and IT consultants, with salaries averaging $169,065.

Pursuing these top cybersecurity certifications in 2024 can significantly enhance your career prospects and earning potential. Whether you're just starting or looking to advance into senior roles, there is a certification tailored to your career goals. Investing in these certifications not only validates your expertise but also keeps you updated with the latest industry standards and practices, ensuring you remain competitive in the rapidly evolving field of cybersecurity.

For more detailed information on each certification, consider visiting their official websites or reputable sources like Infosec, Techopedia, and Skillsoft.