The Best Cybersecurity certifications to take your career ahead
4 min read
With the increased advancement in technology and rise in the number of cyber-attacks, we cannot ignore the importance of having the cybersecurity function in place. The skilled professionals working in the cybersecurity department of any organization work hard to protect the company’s assets and confidential data. Their primary duty is to safeguard our information to protect us from becoming victims of cybercrimes. Whether you acknowledge it or not, cybersecurity certifications play an essential role in doing so.
There are different types of cybersecurity programs designed for both beginners as well as experienced cybersecurity professionals. All of them provide several benefits. And thus deciding the best certification also becomes a difficult task. In this brief guide, we will tell you about some of the best cybersecurity certification programs, and how you get started with a cybersecurity career.
Top cybersecurity certifications to consider for a great career
Here are some of the highly recognized certifications in the field of cybersecurity:
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Every tech-savvy kid once wanted to become a hacker (thanks to crime movies that portrayed them as heroes). Hacking was shown as a glamorous tech job. And ethical hacking is no different. This certification program teaches us to voluntarily breach a company’s security system, not with the purpose to harm the company but to find a loophole in their security systems.
| Cost | Duration | Requirement | Career Opportunities |
| $1199 | The self-paced program requires a 4-hour exam for passing. | 2 years of experience in information security or completed EC- Council training | Penetration tester, Ethical hacker, Threat Intelligence Analyst, etc. |
- CompTIA Security+
This is one of the most prevalent cybersecurity certifications designed for beginners who want to step into this technical domain. The course empowers students with basic to fundamental knowledge regarding cybersecurity such as penetration testing, network and application security management, monitoring cloud infrastructure, protecting IoT devices, etc.
| Cost | Duration | Requirement | Career Opportunities |
| $370 | 4-6 months Self-paced learning program | Education in STEM is recommended | System administrator, Network and Application Security Manager, IT Auditor, etc. |
- Certified Senior Cybersecurity Specialist (CSCS™): USCSI™
This course designed by the United States Cybersecurity Institute is meant for senior IT professionals looking to advance their careers in cybersecurity. The Certified Senior Cybersecurity Specialist (CSCS™) certification is among the most credible cybersecurity certification programs for professionals who think from a strategic perspective to mitigate cyber risks and threats. After completing this program, the professionals will master securing data, cryptographic techniques, application of cryptography, security leadership, management, and business opportunity, detecting cybersecurity threats with AI, and other advanced cybersecurity concepts.
This program is available both as an online self-paced learning mode as well as instructor-led mode.
| Cost | Duration | Requirement | Career Opportunities |
| $ 898 (Can be paid in three installments using Klarna) | 4-25 week program requiring 8-10 hours/week. | At Least 3-8 years of work experience in the IT domain | Senior Cybersecurity Specialist, Cyber Security Consultant, CISO |
Why should you get certified?
There are many reasons why you must consider getting certified. But before that here are some interesting facts (as sourced from the University of San Diego report) that will lure you to get certified. 46% of cybersecurity professionals are contacted by recruiters every week. The top cybersecurity professionals easily earn six-figure salaries, the average salary of a cybersecurity architect is $130,000. And the most important thing is 79% of cybersecurity professionals are happy with their job.
The best cybersecurity programs will help you gain all these advantages. Apart from these, you will be able to demonstrate your expertise in the cybersecurity domain, increase your chance of getting hired with higher salaries, demonstrate your commitment toward professional learning, as well as get to network with professionals in this field.
A step-by-step guide to building a career in this domain
Now if you think a cybersecurity career is for you and are wondering which certification course will be best for you, then here is a step-by-step guide to decide how you can get into this exciting career.
1: Complete your bachelor’s or master’s degree in the relevant stream i.e. computer science, mathematics, cybersecurity, or STEM
2: Get certified. This will highly increase your chances of getting hired. And if you are already working and want to change your domain, then certification will help you demonstrate your commitment to this field and help you get a higher salary.
3: Keep upgrading yourself. As technology is continuously evolving, you need to upgrade your skill set as well. Renew your certificate, get re-certified with advanced certifications, and keep learning.
Summary
Cybersecurity is an exciting field and the top certifications will help you establish yourself in your career. With the right cybersecurity skills, you can contribute to making cyberspace a safe and secure place. With your contribution, you can help save millions of losses that businesses and individuals face due to cybercrimes.
