Top 10 Best Cyber Security Certifications [Updated 2024]

Certifications for cyber security are the prior requirements for any IT professor to take before the process of officially entering this competitive field. Besides, taking a high-quality cyber security certification is also considered an effective method to support these individuals in being promoted to higher working positions. Below are the top 10  best cyber security certifications that you can consider.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) 

CISSP stands for Certified Information Systems Security Professional. It is provided by ISC2 (stands for the International Information System Security Certification Consortium). This is a non-profit organization dedicated to certifying and training cybersecurity professionals. CISSP is ISC2’s best-known cyber security certification.

For businesses, owning a CISSP will be the clearest proof. If you have a CISSP certificate, you are an expert in the field of Information Technology and more specifically Information Security. For the CISSP certification, IT engineers need to have an understanding of many blocks of knowledge along with practical experience. Related fields: Risk management and security, Security engineering and architecture, Communications and network security, Security in software development, Identity and access management, Asset Security, Security Valuation, and Testing, and Operational Security.

Because it is considered the gold standard in Information Systems Security certifications, if you have a CISSP degree in hand, you will easily find the right jobs. In particular, the techniques involved in this certificate are very broad from engineering to management, so employers often have a firm belief that professionals with a CISSP degree will be extremely useful for businesses. Here are some positions that may be essential using the CISSP:

• Chief information security officers have a salary level of $170,928 per year
• Senior IT consultants have a salary level of $121,942 per year
• IT security specialists have a salary level of $94,971 per year
• Security administrators have a salary level of $85,647 per year
• Information analysts have a salary level of $83,552 per year

On this website, we released hundreds of free CISSP exam questions to help users easily prepare for their coming exams. If you’re planning to get your cert, do not hesitate to take them!

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

The Certified Information Systems Auditor (which is also known as the CISA for short) is another important certification from the ISACA (which stands for the Information Systems Audit and Control Association). This is a certification for information systems and security auditors. CISA is accredited by the ANSI (stands for the American National Standards Institute) and is widely recognized around the world. There are approximately 60,000 certified IT professionals all over the world. In the field of banking, securities, or government information system (IT) auditing, especially system auditing, CISA seems to be a mandatory requirement.

To earn the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam and meet industry work experience requirements. Candidates must also undergo ongoing education and professional development, and adhere to the ISACA Code of Ethical Auditing and Professional Information Systems.

Candidates can choose to take the test in June, September, or December at test centers around the world. The test is also administered in multiple languages ​​including Mandarin (simplified and traditional), Spanish, French, Japanese, and Korean. The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is specifically designed for the purpose of checking the ability of mid-level IT learners who want to take into IT positions like:

• IT audit manager – have a salary level of $124,168/year
• IT project specialist – have a salary level of $104,126/year
• Information security specialist – have a salary level of $99,275/year
• Compliance program specialist- have a salary level of $95,026/year
• Security engineer – have a salary level of $94.97/year
• Cybersecurity engineer – have a salary level of $70,760/year

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) is a certification for managers in the field of information security. ISACA (which stands for the Association of Auditing and Controlling Information Systems) awards this certification. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is closely business-oriented and focuses on information risk management while addressing management, design, and technical security issues at the conceptual level. The certification is designed for the IS Professional level of information security management professionals who must maintain the vision by managing, designing, monitoring, and evaluating. enterprise information security system.

To earn the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification, applicants must meet the following requirements: pass the CISM exam; commitment to comply with the ISACA Code of Professional Ethics; 5 years of experience in information security, of which 3 years in information security management in at least 3 areas of analysis. Usually, the CISSP and CISA communities tend to look after CISM certification. One reason for this is that the CISM content is related to the ISSMP (Information Systems Security Management Specialist) program from (ISC)2.

CISM has become the approved certification for the Force Improvement Program information security workforce in 2005. The five information security areas examined by CISM are information security governance, information risk management, information security program development, and program management. information security and incident management.

In the event that you’re looking to turn from the specialized to the administrative side of cybersecurity, gaining your CISM may well be a great choice. Occupations that utilize the CISM incorporate:

• Information security manager- have a salary level of $173,364/year
• Manager of data governance – have a salary level of $118,255/year
• IT manager – have a salary level of $109,444/year
• Information systems security officer – have a salary level of $96,967/year
• Information risk consultant – have a salary level of $94,277/year

CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is a globally recognized certification that covers essential network security principles and manages network security risks and threats. Certifications provide authentication and are an important stepping stone on the career path of an information security engineer.

While Security+ is more of an entry-level credential than others, it’s still a valuable certification in its own right. In fact, Security+ is a required certification by the US Department of Defense and is recognized by both the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Another benefit of Security+ is that it is vendor-neutral, choosing instead to focus on general security topics and technologies, without limiting the focus to any one vendor, and their approach. Successfully getting a CompTIA Security+ certification can do wonders for your promotion process for these positions such as:

• Security specialist – have a salary level of $111,691/year
• Cloud specialist – have a salary level of $111,165/year
• Software developer – have a salary level of $97,763/year
• Security manager – have a salary level of $85,647/year
• IT manager – have a salary level of $79,709/year
• Systems administrator – have a salary level of $76,339/year
• Help desk manager – have a salary level of $72,171/year

Take some of our CompTIA Security+ practice tests to get familiar with the test format now!

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a certificate with a great reputation for the security of the security certificate system, Ec-Council attack (USA). Ethical Hacking can be understood as a process when you infiltrate a computer system, of course, you have official access and find out the vulnerabilities and loopholes of the protection systems. Then, take measures to repair those holes so that others don’t steal information and destroy your computer system. In most countries, individuals who possess CEH certificates with equivalent qualifications to CEH are always “hunted” targets of companies, banks, insurance, and monetary credit institutions. with professional security units.

An ethical hacker is considered an expert and has a great understanding of network security. Therefore, their job as well as their mission is to learn about the vulnerabilities in the system, then apply their knowledge and understanding to repair and find ways to fix that vulnerability. They have to think like a black hat hacker to know what those hackers will do and then come up with a way to prevent it, legally, of course. This work has great significance in building as well as adjusting the security and privacy issues of the host system.

CEH certificate holders have extensive knowledge, so they are considered professional system managers and supervisors. Thanks to that, they are a very important and indispensable person in the field of building a network security protection system for a certain organization or corporation. Ethical Hackers in addition to creating a secure network, are also who have the skill and understanding of black hat hackers professionally. They use the knowledge and tools of hackers to check their systems and find ways to prevent real attacks.

CEH is a security certificate of EC-council, USA. Therefore, the exam method of this certificate will follow the American way. To get a CEH certificate you will have to take the exam at Person VUE centers with a fee of 500 USD. The test will include 125 questions and take 4 hours. If you have a result that is above 70%, congratulations, you have received the CEH certificate. The CEH certification supports you in taking a more proactive approach to cybersecurity. Consider this certification for employment like:

• Cloud security specialist – have a salary level of $149,161/year
• Cybersecurity analyst – have a salary level of $109.566/year
• Penetration tester – have a salary level of $106,922/year
• Specialist of IT threat intelligence – have a salary level of $89,561/year
• Cyber ​​incident specialist- have a salary level of $78,745/year

Try some of our CEH practice exam examples to know what to expect on the real one!

GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

The GIAC Security Essentials Certification (also known as GSEC for short) is provided by Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC). The certificate focuses on information security for professionals who need the skills to respond to modern computer threats.

This certification is recognized by many governments to industries around the globe. The GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) assesses and validates the capabilities of professionals in areas such as security governance, management, digital forensics, information security audits, software security, and policy. The GSEC certification is designed for candidates who want to demonstrate security skills in IT systems. In addition to simple terms and concepts, those who want this certification require a certain understanding of the field of information security. The GSEC exam has 180 questions and takes 5 hours, and to get a certificate requires a minimum score of 73%. Obtaining an online certificate can be done right at the SAN academy website.

You should consider taking the GSEC certification examination in case you have got a few foundations in IT and wish to move into cybersecurity. Work parts that utilize the aptitudes illustrated by the GSEC incorporate:

• IT security managers have a salary level of $135,715/year
• Software development engineers have a salary level of $132,608/year
• Penetration testers have a salary level of $106,922/year
• IT auditors have a salary level of $79,709/year
• Computer forensic analysts have a salary level of $78,742/year
• Security administrators have a salary level of $85,647/year

Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

The SSCP certification is designed to set an international standard for information security professionals. Professionals who earn this certification can help businesses address security issues, including authentication, security auditing, intrusion detection/prevention, incident response, and recovery, identifying attacks and countermeasures, countermeasures against malicious code, etc. 

To take the SSCP certification exam, candidates are required to have a minimum of 1 year of cumulative, full-time work experience. Time in 1 of 7 areas of SSCP CBK (Access Control; Security Operations and Management; Risk Identification, Monitoring, and Analysis; Computer Incident Response and Resolution; Encryption; Security; System and application security). The assessment and certification test of SSCP through 125 multiple-choice questions within 3 hours.

With this halfway security credential from (ISC)², you’ll appear to managers that you simply have the ability to plan, actualize, and screen a secure IT foundation. The SSCP is outlined for IT experts working hands-on with an organization’s security frameworks or resources. This credential is fitting for positions like:

• Network security engineers have a salary level of $97,163/year
• Database directors have a salary level of $96,031/year
• Systems engineers have a salary level of $92,380/year
• Security specialists have a salary level of $87,178/year
• Security analysts have a salary level of $78,568/year
• System administrators have a salary level of $76,339/year

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CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) is the perfect certification for specialized experts who wish to stay submerged in innovation as restricted to entirely overseeing. The CompTIA Progressed Security Specialist certification approves advanced-level competency in hazard administration, endeavor security operations and design, inquiry about and collaboration, and integration of venture security.

CASP+ is the hands-on, performance-based certification for progressed professionals — not supervisors — at the progressed aptitude level of cybersecurity. Whereas cybersecurity supervisors offer assistance in recognizing what cybersecurity approaches and systems can be executed, CASP-certified experts figure out how to execute arrangements inside those approaches and systems. Not at like other certifications, CASP+ covers both security engineering and building – CASP+ is the certification on the advertisement that qualifies specialized pioneers to evaluate cyber readiness within a venture and plan and implement the correct arrangements to guarantee the organization is prepared for another assault. 

The CASP+ can bring a wide range of opportunities for progressing parts in the design, chance administration, and undertaking security integration. Conceivable work titles include:

• Security architects have a salary level of $153,751/year
• Application security engineers have a salary level of $111,938/year
• Security engineers have a salary level of $111,691/year
• Technical lead analysts have a salary level of $111,666/year
• Vulnerability analysts have a salary level of $78,937/year

GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) certification approves a practitioner’s capacity to identify, react to, and resolve computer security episodes by employing a wide run of fundamental security aptitudes. GCIH certification holders have the information required to oversee security episodes by understanding common assault strategies, vectors, and devices, as well as guard against and react to such assaults when they occur.

All GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) certification exams are web-based and required to be proctored. There are two proctoring choices: inaccessible proctoring through ProctorU, and onsite proctoring through PearsonVUE. GIAC certification endeavors will be actuated in your GIAC account after your application has been endorsed and concurring with the terms of your buy. Points of interest on conveyance will be given at the side of your enrollment affirmation upon installment. You may receive a mail notification when your certification endeavors have been enacted in your account. You’ll have 3 months from the date of enactment to total your GIAC certification attempt.

The GIAC certification exam takers will illustrate a nitty-gritty understanding of the three strategies of watchword breaking. The candidate will demonstrate an understanding of how aggressors keep up tireless and collect information, and how to distinguish and guard against an aggressor as of now in a conventional arrangement or a cloud environment. This certification is implied for anyone working in an occurrence reaction. Work titles might include:

• Security architects have a salary level of $153,751/year
• Security incident handlers have a salary level of $94,212/year
• System administrators have a salary level of $76,339/year

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Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) is popularly known as a certification program that centers on hands-on hostile data security aptitudes. It comprises 2 main parts: an about 24-hour write testing exam, and a documentation report due 24 hours after it. OSCP could be a very hands-on exam. Before the process of taking the OSCP exam, you’re required to require the PWK (stands for Penetration Testing with Kali Linux) course. Taking the course is required for you to get to be qualified for require the OSCP. In expansion to the information you pick up from the course, it opens entryways to a few career openings in data security. Of course, those who pass get bragging rights

The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) certification has become one of the foremost sought-after certifications for infiltration analyzers. The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) exam tests your capacity to compromise an arrangement of target machines utilizing numerous misuse steps and create nitty-gritty infiltration test reports for each attack. The OSCP may be a great choice for employment like:

• Ethical hackers have a salary level of $113,521/year
• Application security analysts have a salary level of $109,487/year
• Penetration testers have a salary level of $106,922/year
• Threat researchers have a salary level of $81,693/year

Above is all information about the top 10 best cyber security certifications which are highly evaluated by numerous IT companies/organizations all over the world. We hope that via this article, you can choose the most proper certification which can be beneficial for your career.