Top 5 Industry Recognized Online Cybersecurity Certifications Cybersecurity Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your experience and knowledge to employers and increase your chances of getting hired with a higher salary of up to 40% With so many online certifications available for cybersecurity professionals, it is a difficult task to find a suitable one that matches your skills, experience, and expertise, as well as is well-recognized by industries across the globe. There are several things that one needs to consider before opting for a certification program such as: - Validity of the certification - The certification provider - Course contents - Cost - Mode of delivery - Study materials offered, etc. To help you make your decision easier, we have listed out the top 5 best online cybersecurity certifications that will empower you with all the industry-relevant skills and knowledge to move forward in your cybersecurity career. Top Industry Recognized Cybersecurity Certifications – 2024 1. Certified Senior Cybersecurity Specialist (CSCS®) 2. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) 3. CompTIA Security+ 4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) 5. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) Let’s explore in detail what they have to offer. 1. Certified Senior Cybersecurity Specialist (CSCS®) This is an advanced-level cybersecurity certification designed for senior-level professionals such as cybersecurity specialists, CISOs, and other senior cybersecurity professionals having more than 6 years of work experience. Offered by the United States Cybersecurity Institute (USCSI®), this certification program helps these professionals make efficient security strategies for their organizations and lets them implement the latest cybersecurity tools and technologies for enhanced security. CSCS® is highly popular among professionals because: - It is a self-paced program and can be completed within 4-25 weeks - Applicants must commit at least 8-10 hours a week to complete the course - They get access to a resource center consisting of ebooks, videos, practice codes, etc. to prepare for the certification exam
- Students can get a digital sharable badge upon completion of the certification program It also offers exciting discounts of up to 10% through its Speedster program. Moreover, students can pay the program fee in full, in three interest-free installments, or later with Klarna. 2. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) The CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) is a globally recognized cybersecurity certification for experienced security professionals. It's vendor-neutral, meaning it's not tied to any specific product or vendor. The CISSP exam covers a wide range of security topics, including security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communication and network security, identity and access management (IAM), security assessment and testing, software development security, and legal, regulatory, and compliance aspects of security. To earn the CISSP certification, you must pass a rigorous 6-hour exam that consists of 250 multiplechoice questions. You also need to have at least 5 years of cumulative paid work experience in a field related to information security. 3. CompTIA Security+ This is an entry-level cybersecurity certification that helps students and young professionals gain basic cybersecurity skills focusing on core areas like threats, attacks, vulnerabilities, identity & access management, technologies & tools, risk management, and more. Earning this cert shows employers you understand crucial security concepts and can apply them in real-world situations. It's often the first step in a promising cybersecurity career, potentially boosting your job prospects and salary. The exam isn't easy, but it's well-respected and opens doors to exciting opportunities. 4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is a professional certification focusing on information security management, aimed at experienced professionals who design, manage, and oversee an organization's security posture. Its main focus is on validating the management skills for information security programs. The applicants must have at least 5+ years of work experience in the field of IT security and management to enroll in this program. 5. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) CISA is a well-recognized industry-relevant cybersecurity certification designed for professionals who assess, control, monitor, and protect an organization's IT and business systems. This certification program focuses on information systems auditing, governance, and controls. The target audience for this program includes IT auditors, consultants, security professionals, and risk management cybersecurity specialists. The course covers the Information systems auditing process, IT governance, IT controls, IT operations, and business resilience. Conclusion These are some of the most popular industry-recognized certificates designed for all kinds of cybersecurity professionals with varied experience levels. Sort out the certification program that matches your professional goals, and enroll now.
FAQ 1. Is getting into a cybersecurity career worth it? The Cybersecurity Ventures has reported there will be around 3.5 million cybersecurity jobs vacant by 2025. So, this means there is a huge opportunity and it’s worth getting into this career 2. How much I can earn as a Cybersecurity Specialist? As per Zip Recruiter, the average annual salary of Cybersecurity Specialists is $93, 170. With the best cybersecurity certifications under your belt, you can get up to a 50% higher salary. 3. Do I need to renew my cybersecurity certifications every year? No. Many industry-recognized cybersecurity certifications come with at least 2-3 years of validity. Depending upon your requirements, you can upgrade or renew your certification after that time.