The cybersecurity market is expected to gain a market size of nearly $170.5 billion by 2022. This is only because of the rise in the number of cyberattacks that organizations face on a yearly basis. These attacks can lead to the loss of information and data to the company and result in financial losses. This is why cybersecurity has gained a lot of importance in companies across various sectors. There is a lot of demand for certified cybersecurity professionals. In this article, let us explore the best cybersecurity certifications that exist.
A study conducted by Accenture in 2019 noted that 68% of them believed the threats to their cybersecurity were increasing. Any organization with data or important information available on its server that needs to be protected can be affected by a cyberattack, which is why organizations worldwide need to increase their security measures to safeguard it.
Why are Cybersecurity Certifications Necessary?
Certifications in cybersecurity are also gaining popularity with the rise in demand for cybersecurity in general. When organizations hire someone to upgrade their security, they will always look for people who are certified and have the knowledge and experience required to perform their tasks well. Cybersecurity professionals are in charge of protecting the organization’s most important asset, which is their information. This is why they need to know that the people they are working with have the capability to perform their job well.
Top 10 Best Cybersecurity Certifications
CEH v11
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is one of the most renowned certifications in ethical hacking or penetration testing. The CEH v11 certification will equip ethical hackers with the skills and knowledge to identify vulnerabilities and different tools and methods of hacking to launch successful simulated attacks on organizations. Then the hackers will create reports to give organizations all points of vulnerabilities and measures to protect against them.
CEH Certified professionals learn different ways to exploit modern technologies and identify all emerging attacks and vendors. They also focus on security challenges that come with working in a cloud-based environment and IoT. All the hacking tricks and techniques used by black hat hackers are also taught with this certification.
COBIT 2019
The COBIT 2019 certification course is offered by ISACA and is known for giving applicants the foundation-level knowledge they need to manage their organization’s IT governance. The course is focused on aligning the goals of IT with the main goals of the organization. It focuses on creating a strong governance environment and risk detection. Those who complete this certification understand the processes of risk management.
COBIT 2019 certificate holders can assess risks to the company’s projects, processes, and operations and come up with various strategies to manage them. The COBIT 2019 certification is usually recommended for IT managers, auditors, and project managers who work in the IT sector. It is an excellent offering for those who are looking to advance their skills.
CRISC
The CRISC or the Certified Risk and Information Systems Control certification is a course offered by ISACA. It is useful for those who want to advance their careers in the information security and risk management sector. The certification gives learners the skills they need to implement effective measures for information security controls and a thorough knowledge of IT risks and how to manage them successfully.
Working professionals who have jobs in the business analysis, compliance regulations, IT, or risk management fields are the ones who will benefit the most from this certification. To gain the credential, applicants need to complete their CRISC examination and achieve a minimum of three years of experience working as an IT security professional across their assigned CRISC domains, after which they can receive their CRISC certification.
CGEIT
The CGEIT Course or Certified in Governance of Enterprise IT certification is offered by ISACA. The certification course gives IT professionals and managers the expertise they need to further their careers and open up more avenues for advancement. Working professionals gain more knowledge about enterprise IT and its governance as well as risk management and optimization. They also learn strategic management techniques and understand the concept of benefits realization and optimization of resources.
There are 150 multiple-choice questions in the CGEIT certification exam, and applicants have four hours to complete them. To obtain the certification, the applicants need to have a minimum of five years of relevant work experience in the above-mentioned domains, out of which one year has to be spent working with the management of IT frameworks for an organization.
CISSP
CISSP or Certified Information Systems Security Professional certification specializes in cybersecurity and management of cybersecurity programs. The certificate course is offered by (ISC)², and it teaches working professionals how to design and implement cybersecurity programs for organizations. Those who already have prior experience working as security professionals will find this course ideal. Some of the job roles this certification is suited for are Directors of Security, security analysts, managers, consultants, and IT managers.
CCSP
CCSP or Certified Cloud Security Professional certification is a course offered by (ISC)². The course helps working professionals improve their skills in managing and securing cloud infrastructures used by organizations. The certification is ideal for those who work as security architects, consultants, administrators, and managers. It is also beneficial for IT managers and IT professionals who want to advance their cloud-based security careers. The course is designed to help applicants design and implement cloud security programs for organizations’ proper IT governance.
CISA
ISACA offers CISA or Certified Information Systems Auditor certification for working professionals who want to advance their careers and gain more expertise in information security and auditing and control of IT operations. The exam does not have any prerequisites, but it is recommended for those who have already worked with IT security and management and want to further their career.
After applicants clear their examination, they must have a minimum of five years of working experience in information systems or security within ten years of clearing their examination. Applicants can apply for their certification within five years from the date of clearing their examination and work towards receiving it. They are also required to adhere to the Professional Code of Ethics set down by ISACA.
CISM
CISM or Certified Information Security Manager certification is a course offered by ISACA. It helps working professionals gain more in-depth knowledge and expertise in managing enterprise-wide information security for organizations. Those with a CISM certification are considered to be experts in data security. Applicants learn and gain insight into information risk management and security management, compliance, and management of information security incidents.
Before applicants clear their examination, they are required to have a minimum work experience of five years within the last ten years in the field, out of which, at least three of them need to be in the management of information security teams. They also need to earn yearly credits, a minimum of 20 every year, and a total of 120 in the first three years of obtaining the certificate, to maintain their certification.
GIAC
GIAC, or the Global Information Assurance Certification course for becoming a penetration tester, has multiple certifications one can opt for to improve their skills in cybersecurity. The courses are offered by SANS Institute, an organization globally recognized for its cybersecurity education programs. The focus is on providing a hands-on learning experience for all applicants. They offer online classes to all their students so it can be accessed from anywhere.
The most widely known course offered by GIAC is the SEC560 course. This certification is almost a prerequisite because it offers theoretical knowledge on ethical hacking and penetration testing. It gives certified individuals a balanced learning experience for both theory and practice. If working professionals want to opt for their ethical hacking certification, they can pursue the GIAC Penetration Tester course or the GPEN certification.
OSCP
Offensive Security offers the Offensive Security Certified Professional certification. It is a highly technical course, so working professionals with experience in software development and networking protocols are the ones who usually take up this certification. The certification takes a complete hands-on and practical approach to learning. Those who are completing this course will have a deep understanding of the entire lifecycle of penetration testing and its processes.
The classes are offered online, so anyone with the required skill set can opt for this certification. The ones who have completed the course are required to take an examination where they have to launch a full-fledged simulated cyber attack, identify vulnerabilities, and create a report in 24 hours. Those who have completed this successfully will receive their certification.
Final Thoughts
There are many certifications available for working professionals to upskill themselves and gain more expertise in cybersecurity. These certifications in IT security and governance are gaining more popularity over the years as the threats to organizations’ security keep increasing. This trend is only going to grow over time. It is recommended for IT professionals to apply and complete one in whichever area of their expertise to gain a competitive advantage over their peers.
