Cyber Security Certification is a must to become a cybersecurity specialist.
There is an unprecedented amount of data that is being generated, stored, and processed all the time by the scientific, corporate, government, military, financial, and medical organizations, a significant of which is very sensitive and requires continuous protection. Cybersecurity concerns with the technologies and practices implemented to protect this virtual world. It is the practice of securing systems, networks, and programs from digital threats, damage, and unauthorized access. It also refers to the protection of information technology. For adequate protection against cyber-attacks, every organization needs to account for each of the following elements:
- Application Security
- Business Continuity
- Cloud Security
- Data Security
- Database and Infrastructure Security
- Disaster Recovery
- End-User Education
- End Point Security
- Identity Management
- Mobile Security
- Network Security
Cyber Security Job Profile
The main job of a cybersecurity professional is the protection of data. The job responsibilities of cybersecurity professionals are very complicated and span across all organizations. Before you look for cybersecurity certification, you need to look into the different career options. These are but not limited to:
- Security Specialist
- Security Administrator
- Security Architect
- Security Analyst
- Security Auditor
- Security Director
- Security Consultant
- Security Engineer
- Cryptographer
- Chief Information Security Officer
- Vulnerability Assessor
- Incident Responder
- Forensic Expert
- Penetration Tester
- Source Code Auditor
- Security Manager
- Cryptanalyst
- Best Cyber Security Certification
Most of the Cyber Security jobs require a four year Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Information Technology. It generally covers a foundation in Programming, Database, and Statistics with an insight into Artificial Intelligence, Cryptography, and Ethical Hacking.
A Master’s Degree takes an additional one to two years after the Bachelor’s Degree. It provides advanced instruction in protecting computer networks and infrastructures from threats. You learn about ethics, policies, and procedures of cybersecurity and how to carry out security measures and defense techniques. It prepares students to be sophisticated practitioners and enables them to investigate critical technologies such as digital forensics, biometry, and cryptography.
Best Cyber Security Certifications
There are many numbers of online and traditional on-campus programs for cyber security certifications. Most of them focus on network and data protection at different levels. Each certification prepares an aspirant for a specific purpose. Such courses explore cryptographic techniques, computer security, digital forensics, and designs for network perimeter defenses. Let us look into the different cyber security certifications worth considering. Before choosing a cyber security certification, it is essential to make sure that the course is accredited and aligns with the targeted career goal.
1. CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker
This certification teaches you how to think and act like a hacker. Topics in this certification cover hacking technologies, the latest vulnerabilities, information security laws, and standards. Students are put through real-time scenarios, exposed to hacking techniques, and finally taught how to scan hack and protect their system from the same. This course benefits security professionals, site administrators, and anyone concerned with network security. This certification gives you an edge towards penetration testing jobs.
You can signup here.
2. CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)
It is a top credential for IT professionals in enterprise-level applications for developing the best organizational security practices. An aspirant here needs five years of proven cybersecurity experience. However, a combination of education and experience may also be substituted for this requirement. The CISM is valid for three years, and credential holders need to pay an annual maintenance fee. Credential holders of this certification possess advanced skills in
- Security Risk Management
- Program Development and Management
- Governance
- Incident Management and Response.
You can signup here.
3. CompTIA Security+
It is a general level certification for those who are new to cyber technology. It requires two years to complete it. It covers the following IT concepts:
- Network threats and defense techniques
- Effective security policies
- Network and Host-based security practices
- Disaster Recovery
- Encryption Standards and Products
You can signup here.
4. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
Many IT organizations consider this certification as an essential requirement for network security. It is a vendor-independent certification and can be applied to a wide variety of set-ups. This certification requires prior experience of 3 – 5 years, and once completed, it is one of the best knowledge assets you can have. This course covers the following domains:
- Access Control
- Cryptography
- Telecommunications
- Networking
You can signup here.
5. GSEC: GIAC Security Essentials
This certification requires five years of relevant work experience. It is an entry-level certification designed for professionals who aspire to occupy ‘hands-on’ security roles. GSEC certified professionals possess technical skills in identifying and preventing wireless attacks, access controls, authentication, password management, DNS, cryptography fundamentals, ICMP, IPv6, critical public infrastructure, Linux, Network Mapping, and Network Protocols. This certification needs to be renewed every four years along with a payment of certification maintenance fee, also every four years. It is more of management focused certification, and it covers the following domains:
- Information Security Program Development and Management
- Information Security Management
- Information Security Incident Management
- Information Risk Management and Compliance
You can signup here.
6. ECSA: EC-Council Certified Security Analyst
This certification is similar to the CEH certification. This certification gives you an understanding of hacking tools and the latest technologies. This certification is suitable for Network Server Administrator, Information Security Tester, Firewall Administrator, System Administrator, Risk Assessment Professional, and more.
You can signup here.
7. GPEN: GIAC Penetration Tester
It is a certification for personnel whose job duties involve assessing target networks and find security vulnerabilities. The topic areas for this certification are:
- Password Formats and Hashes, Advanced Password Attacks, Attacking Password Hashes
- Exploitation Fundamentals, Escalation and Exploitation, Domain Escalation and Persistence Attacks
- Kerberos Attacks, Metasploit, Moving Files with Exploits
- Penetration Test Planning
- Penetration Testing with PowerShell and the Windows Command Line
- Scanning and Host Discovery, Vulnerability Scanning
- Web Application Injection Attacks
- Web Application Reconnaissance
You can signup here.
8. SSCP: Systems Security Certified Practitioner
This certification ensures that you have acquired the advanced technical skills to implement, monitor, and administer IT infrastructure using best security practices, procedures, and policies established by the cybersecurity experts. This certification is ideal for IT administrators, managers, directors, and network security professionals, including those holding the following job positions:
- Network Security Engineer
- Systems Administrator
- Security Analyst
- Systems Engineer
- Security Consultant/Specialist
- Security Administrator
- Systems/Network Analyst
- Database Administrator
You can signup here.
9. CRISC: Certified in Risk and Information System Control
It is an enterprise risk management qualification for professionals looking forward to extending their knowledge and experience of IT, Business Risk, identification, and implementation of Business Systems Control. CRISC is one of the first certifications which help to prepare IT professionals for real-world threats. It adds a higher value to employers and clients in risk assessment and management, fosters continuous knowledge, and up to date information. CRISC certification is targeted towards professionals whose job responsibilities include the following roles:
- IT Professionals
- Risk Professionals
- Control Professionals
- Business Analysts
- Project Managers
- Compliance Professionals
You can signup here.
10. CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor
This certification focuses on Information Auditing. CISA certified professionals have good audit experience and can manage vulnerabilities. It, too, requires five years of prior experience. Students gain expertise in the following domains:
- Information Systems Auditing
- IT Management and Governance
- Protection of Information Assets
You can signup here.
Bonus Cybersecurity Certification
11. CCSP: Certified Cloud Security Professional
Traditional IT security protocols do not work in a cloud environment. This certification gives IT professionals a deep understanding of cloud architecture, its design, operations, and services. It needs five years of prior experience. This certification covers the following domains:
- Concepts of Cloud Architecture and Design
- Cloud Data and Security
- Platform and Infrastructure Security
- Cloud Operations
- Legal and Compliance
You can signup here.
12. CHFI: Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator
This is an advanced cybersecurity certification for forensic network security investigators. It enables you to gather the necessary evidence and prosecute offenders in a court of law. The hacking forensic investigator is responsible for analyzing attacks, extricating information, report hacking crimes, and conduct audits to prevent future crimes. This certification covers:
- Incident Response and Forensics
- Recovering deleted, encrypted or damaged file information
- Technical Examination & Analysis
- Reporting of Computer-based evidence.
You can signup here.
13. CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate Security
It is a Cisco Certified associate-level certification that goes a long way in taking forward your career in CISCO Security. This certification enables you to:
- Recognize threats and vulnerabilities in CISCO network
- Mitigate Security Threats
- Develop an effective security infrastructure.
There are more programs or certifications provided by them that may coincide with your career goal.
You can signup here.
In addition to the certifications listed above, do not miss out on reviewing the various IT Security of the Training Providers and the programs offered by them.
- Cybary
- EC-Council
- FedVTE
- Global Information Assurance Certification
- Infosec Institute
- (ISC)2
- MIS Training Institute
- Offensive Security
- The SANS Institute
- Secure Ninja
- Security University
Conclusion
Before you dive into this career, understand the very need for this service. What you are protecting and what happens if it is not protected are two very elementary instincts for this job role. There is no one exact entry point for a career in cybersecurity. Professionals can steer themselves into it from a variety of backgrounds such as Software Developers, Data Analysts, Database Administrators, Network Administrators, IT Customer Service, Web Administrators, and more. However, an understanding of technical processes is a must-have to proceed into this career path. Also, instead of starting as a fresher in this career path, you may begin as a regular IT professional and navigate your way into a cyber-security expert.
