Top Certifications for Aspiring Cybersecurity Professionals
The digital age is like a giant playground, but with every swing and slide, there's someone trying to break in. This ever-growing risk makes cybersecurity one of the fastest-growing fields in tech,* packed with opportunities for those who can keep the playground safe. If you're eyeing a career in this field, certifications are often your golden ticket—they validate your skills and show employers you know your way around a firewall or two. Let's dive into some of the top certifications that can help you kickstart or elevate your cybersecurity career, especially if you're trying to determine which path suits you best.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
What is CISSP?
CISSP is one of the most respected certifications in cybersecurity. It covers a wide range of security concepts. Think of it as an all-you-can-eat buffet for security knowledge.
Who Issues It
ISC2 (International Information System Security Certification Consortium)
Why It's Valuable
CISSP is highly regarded by employers, especially when hiring for roles like security consultant, security analyst, or even chief information security officer (CISO). Its broad coverage makes it a favorite for leadership and advanced security roles.
Who It's For
This certification is aimed at professionals with several years of experience in cybersecurity, often with degrees in computer science or information systems to help build a solid foundation. If you're already working in cybersecurity and are ready to move into senior or leadership roles, CISSP is worth the investment.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
What is CEH?
CEH focuses on the tools and techniques hackers use to break into systems—except you're learning to do it for good. It's like learning how to pick locks so you can make better ones.
Who Issues It
Why It's Valuable
With CEH, you learn offensive security, which is crucial for penetration testing roles—a fancy way of saying you'll get paid to legally hack into systems and point out their flaws before the bad guys do.
Who It's For
CEH is ideal for IT professionals with experience in networking or security who want to move into an offensive security role. If you're interested in ethical hacking and want to understand how attackers think, CEH could be the right path. A degree in information technology or network security can provide a solid foundation for CEH, but practical experience is also key.
CompTIA Security+
What is CompTIA Security+?
This certification is often seen as the starting point for many cybersecurity professionals. It focuses on network security, threat management, and risk mitigation basics.
Who Issues It
Why It's Valuable
Security+ is an entry-level certification that is covering basic skills, making it a great option for beginners looking to land their first role in cybersecurity. It's often a prerequisite for many entry-level positions.
Who It's For
If you're new to the field and looking for a place to start, CompTIA Security+ is a great place to start. It's designed for aspiring cybersecurity professionals, often those with an associate or bachelor's degree in cybersecurity or information technology, and helps you build up the essential skills that employers are looking for in entry-level roles.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
What is CISM?
CISM is ideal for roles that require management skills. It focuses on designing and managing an enterprise's security program and is a stepping-stone to becoming a security manager or even a chief information security officer (CISO).
Who Issues It
ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association)
Why It's Valuable
CISM is ideal for roles that require management skills, focusing on designing and managing an enterprise's security program. It's a stepping-stone for becoming a security manager or even a chief information security officer (CISO).
Who It's For
CISM is a great choice if you're already in the cybersecurity field and want to take on more strategic and managerial responsibilities. A background in information systems or business administration can help you understand how to align technical needs with business objectives.
Salary Insights for Cybersecurity Roles
Salary information is based on 2023 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics unless otherwise indicated.
If you're deciding which certification to pursue, it helps to know how they translate into salaries. Salaries in cybersecurity are as hot as a freshly hacked server. If you know what you're doing, you'll be well-paid.
For instance, according to ISC2, CISSP holders report median salaries upwards of $120,000, while CEH professionals average around $90,000. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2023, information security analysts earned a median salary of about $120,360 annually. Top earners bring in significantly more when holding advanced certifications like CISM.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook (visited November 25, 2024).
