15 Best Cyber Security Certifications You Should Get in 2024

The rise in cybercrime has increased the demand for cybersecurity experts. Therefore, knowing the best cyber security certifications you should get is important. Before that, cybersecurity, also known as information security, prevent theft, damage, loss, or unauthorized access to computers, networks, and data.

Poor actors have more possibilities to steal, destroy, or disrupt as our interconnection grows. Hence, this article.

Why Do I Need a Cybersecurity Certification?
How Long Does it Take to Get A Certification in Cyber Security?
What are the Requirements for a Cybersecurity Certification?
What Skills Do I Need for Cybersecurity?
15 Best Cyber Security Certifications in 2024
Conclusion
References
Recommendations

Why Do I Need a Cybersecurity Certification?

Certifications in the cyber security business show your cyber security skills and can be extremely beneficial to your cyber security career path.

So, think about where you want to be in three years. Do you want to be on the back end of a company’s security system or on the front lines? Perhaps you wish to work as an auditor or a pen tester, checking that current systems function properly.

For CEOs, sometimes all you need is a formal understanding of the processes that enable your business. Keep in mind that some qualifications are more crucial at the beginning of your career than others.

Depending on what your interests are, there are cyber security certifications that match your career journey.

How Long Does it Take to Get A Certification in Cyber Security?

The time you take to prepare for a certification exam is determined by what you already know and what you need to learn. It could take anywhere from a week to several months to prepare assuming you meet the work prerequisites.

You can also read: How To Get A Diploma In Cosmetology This Year | Best Schools, Requirements, Cost, Job Outlook

What are the Requirements for a Cybersecurity Certification?

When selecting a program, the most important factor is whether the certification will benefit you in your chosen professional path. Still, there are a few other factors to consider as well. That is, you must consider your qualifications, schedule, and certification cost.

Eligibility: Do you need a bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline to apply? Do you have any preliminary assessments or courses to complete?
Time: How long does it take to study/complete a course on average? When do you think you’ll be able to get your certification?
What is the cost of completing the course or taking the exam? Do you have any study materials?

What Skills Do I Need for Cybersecurity?

As computer and network technology evolves, so will the skills, methods, and technologies you’ll use as a cybersecurity expert. You’ll benefit from a passion to learn, problem-solving skills, and meticulous attention to detail in this sector.

The following are some more technical skills and technologies to learn;

SIEM tools (security information and event management)
Firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
Digital forensics
Mobile device management
Data management
Application security development
Audit and compliance knowledge

15 Best Cyber Security Certifications in 2024

#1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The cybersecurity professional organization (ISC)2’s CISSP certification is one of the most sought-after qualifications in the business. Earning a CISSP validates your IT security knowledge and ability to design, implement, and monitor a cybersecurity program.

This advanced certification is for security professionals with expertise who want to further their careers in roles such as

Chief information security officer – $170,793
Security administrator – $85,742
IT security engineer – $100,605
Senior security consultant – $111,250
Information assurance analyst – $82,070

You must have five or more years of cumulative work experience in at least two of the eight cybersecurity domains to take the CISSP exam.

Security and Risk Management, Asset Security, Security Architecture and Engineering, Communication and Network Security, Identity and Access Management, Security Assessment and Testing, Security Operations, and Software Development Security are just a few of the topics covered.

Interested in? 10 Best Marine Biology Colleges in Florida| Cost, Requirements, Accreditation

#2. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

This certification from the ISACA (Institute of Supply Chain Management) helps you show your experience in identifying security vulnerabilities, devising and implementing controls, and reporting on compliance.

It’s one of the most well-known qualifications in cybersecurity auditing. You must have at least five years of IT or IS audit, control, security, or assurance experience. One or two years of experience can be substituted for a two- or four-year degree, respectively.

#3. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

You can certify your knowledge in the management side of information security with the CISM certification from ISACA, which covers issues like governance, program creation, and program, incident, and risk management.

Earning your CISM could be a smart choice if you want to go from the technical to the managerial side of cybersecurity.

You must have at least five years of experience in information security management to take the CISM exam. With general information security experience, you can satisfy up to two years of this prerequisite.

#4. Security+

CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level security certification that validates the core skills needed in any cybersecurity role.

With this certification, demonstrate your ability to assess an organization’s security, monitor and secure cloud, mobile, and internet of things (IoT) environments, understand laws and regulations related to risk and compliance, and identify and respond to security incidents.

While there are no mandatory prerequisites for taking the Security+ test, it is recommended that you first get your Network+ certification and achieve at least two years of IT experience with a security focus.

#5. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Ethical hacking, also known as white hat hacking, penetration testing, or red team hacking, is the practice of legitimately hacking businesses to find weaknesses before harmful actors do.

The EC-Council offers the CEH Certified Ethical Hacker certification. Earn this badge to show your knowledge of penetration testing, attack detection, vectors, and prevention. The CEH certification teaches you how to think like a hacker and be more proactive with cybersecurity.

#6. GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

This entry-level security accreditation from the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) is for persons with a background in information systems and networking.

This certification verifies your active defense, network security, cryptography, incident response, and cloud security knowledge.

If you have some IT experience and want to move into cybersecurity, consider taking the GSEC exam. There are no prerequisites for taking the GSEC exam.

#7. Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

Employers will see that you have the ability to design, deploy, and maintain a secure IT infrastructure if you have this intermediate security certificate from (ISC)2.

The exam assesses knowledge of access controls, risk identification and analysis, security administration, incident response, cryptography, and network, communications, systems, and application security, as well as network, communications, systems, and application security.

The SSCP is for IT professionals who work directly with a company’s security systems or assets.

#8. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)

The CASP+ is for cybersecurity professionals who have demonstrated advanced skills but want to stay in the industry (as opposed to management). Enterprise security domain, risk analysis, software vulnerability, safeguarding cloud and virtualization technologies, and cryptographic approaches are among the advanced subjects covered in the test.

Advanced architecture, risk management, and enterprise security integration responsibilities may become available because of the CASP+.

You can also see the 13 Best Online Bartending Classes Free & Paid

#9. GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

The GCIH certifies your knowledge of offensive operations, including common attack strategies and vectors, and your ability to identify, respond, and defend against attacks. Incident handling, computer crime investigation, hacker exploits, and hacker tools are all included in the certification test.

Anyone who works in incident response will benefit from this certification.

#10. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

One of the most sought-after credentials for penetration testers is the OSCP from Offensive Security.

The exam assesses your ability to compromise several target devices using various exploitation techniques and provides detailed penetration test reports for each attack.

To take the exam, there are no official criteria. Networking, Linux, Bash scripting, Perl or Python knowledge, as well as completion of the Penetration Testing with Kali course, are all recommended by Offensive Security.

#11. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

The CRISC certification is one of Global Knowledge’s most sought-after and well-paid cybersecurity credentials. This places it in our list of the finest cybersecurity certifications.

CRISC enables applicants to get a thorough understanding of the impact of IT risks on specific businesses. The accreditation ensures that technicians can conduct comprehensive risk assessments.

Certification holders can easily assess IT risks and easily establish information system controls. You must have at least three years of experience in information security program management to appear for the certification exam.

The experience required for CRISC should be earned within a decade of applying for the exam. Within five years of passing the exam, candidates can gain experience.

#12. CompTIA Security+

You must have at least three years of experience in information security program management to appear for the certification exam. The experience required for CRISC should be earned within a decade of applying for the exam.

Within five years of passing the exam, candidates can gain experience. Anyone who wants to learn about fundamental IT security should take CompTIA Security+. It helps you lay a firm foundation to build other courses. The certification is so well-regarded that it is required of all employees by the US Department of Defense.

#13. NIST Cybersecurity Framework (NCSF)

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework validates that cybersecurity professionals have the fundamental competencies to plan, construct, test, and manage a cybersecurity program.

This training is for executives, business professionals, and IT professionals who need a basic understanding of NCSF to do their duties. NCSF Foundation training and certification help an organization establish a common NCSF vocabulary.

This course will show you how to plan and implement a technology-focused cybersecurity program.

#14. GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

Anyone who works in incident response will benefit from this certification.

#15. ECSA: EC-Council Certified Security Analyst

This credential is like the CEH credential. This certification will teach you how to use hacking tools and the most up-to-date technologies.

Network Server Administrators, Information Security Testers, Firewall Administrators, System Administrators, Risk Assessment Professionals, and others can benefit from this qualification.

Conclusion

Before you jump on obtaining cyber security certifications, be certain you comprehend why this service is required. Two extremely fundamental senses for this work are what you are protecting and what will occur if it isn’t shielded.

A vocation in cybersecurity doesn’t have a solitary passage point. Experts from a scope of foundations, including Software Developers, Data Analysts, Database Administrators, Network Administrators, IT Customer Service, Web Administrators, and others, may discover their direction in it.