Top 10 Cybersecurity Certifications In 2021: The best in my opinion
By 2022, the cybersecurity industry is projected to be worth approximately $170.5 billion. This is mostly due to an increase in the number of cyberattacks that businesses experience on an annual basis. These assaults may result in the loss of business information and data, as well as financial damages.
As a result, cybersecurity has become more important in businesses across a wide range of industries. Certified cybersecurity experts are in high demand. Let us look at the finest cybersecurity certificates available in this post.
According to a 2019 Accenture survey, 68 percent of respondents felt cybersecurity risks were growing. A cyberattack may impact any company that has data or critical information on its server that has to be secured, which is why companies all over the globe must improve their security procedures to protect it.
Why Do IT Cert Need to Be Obtained?
With the increase in demand for cybersecurity in general, cybersecurity certifications are also gaining prominence. When businesses employ someone to improve their security, they always seek for individuals who are certified and have the expertise and experience needed to do the job effectively.
Cybersecurity experts are in responsible of safeguarding the organization's most valuable asset, its information. This is why they need to know that the individuals they are working with are capable of doing a good job.
What Is the Process to get this Certification?
Accredited companies that follow and maintain a specific degree of industry recognized standards offer cybersecurity certificates. Certifications are valuable because they are recognized by accrediting bodies in the IT industry and government agencies that set standards, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
There are two types of cybersecurity certifications: specialized and broad. You may get certification to do a particular profession, operate with a specific product, or have a specific job title. Broader certifications are applicable across jobs and industries and are typically designed to supplement an individual's current career, such as programming or program management. The Certified Information Systems Security Professional credential, for example, must be updated every three years by earning continuing professional education credits before the expiry date.
Obtaining certification may be costly, but many companies pay for their workers' credentials. The expense is often compensated by the possibility of advancement and higher wages.
Certification examinations vary in complexity from moderate to tough, depending on the content and kind of certificate. The highly technical Certified Ethical Hacker certification, for example, necessitates months of study and years of cybersecurity experience, whereas an entry-level certificate like Microsoft's Technology Associate Security Fundamentals may only necessitate a good general knowledge of computing and how programs and computer networks work.
Whose Cybersecurity Certifications Would Be Most Valuable in 2021?
Employers, recruiters, experienced security experts, and particularly those considering a cybersecurity career should consider this query. The Information Protection Careers Network (ISCN) recently polled its 90,000-strong LinkedIn audience on the top 50 cybersecurity certifications and courses.
The findings have been incorporated into the authoritative top ten ranking of the most sought-after cybersecurity certifications in 2021.
Employers are in high demand for cybersecurity certs.
The Top 10 CyberSecurity Courses and Certificates
SANS Penetration Testing Courses (No. 10)
The SANS Institute's penetration testing courses and certifications are well-known for assisting both beginners and professionals in advancing their professional cybersecurity skills and paygrades. The Penetration Tester from SANS/GIAC (GPEN)
According to Payscale, she earns £74,000 ($100,546 USD).
- University Degree in Cybersecurity or Information Management
A cybersecurity or computer technology university degree is suggested for all that want to ‘jumpstart' their careers in cybersecurity, as well as those who want to advance to senior management and leadership positions. However, the majority of cybersecurity practitioners polled by ISCN did not believe that a degree was essential for gaining ‘real-world' knowledge in committed junior security positions.
First or second-class cybersecurity themed degrees from a prestigious institution combined with job experience (i.e. a sandwich course) will make a candidate's CV stick out, but don't presume to step into senior security specialist positions without years of in-role experience.
The top universities that deliver computer science degrees are mentioned in the Times Higher Educational guide.
ISC2 has certified you as a Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP).
Despite falling a few spots from last year's ISCN study, ISC2's Certified Cloud Security Professional (CSSP) remains prominent among survey respondents, with 15% indicating that they intend to finish the course during the next 12-24 months.
CSSP's growth has increased as organisations have migrated from on-premise IT to cloud storage platforms in recent years, leaving them low on specialist protection tools to help protect the cloud services on which they have become increasingly reliant.
CSSP is appropriate for practitioners working in information technology, IT infrastructure, policy, network and cloud security innovation, risk and enforcement, and IT auditing at the mid- to advanced-level. The following six domains are covered by CCSP certificate holders:
Design Requirements and Architectural Concepts
The cloud Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security Cloud Application Security Operations Data Security
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Aside from completing the CCSP test, ISC2 demands that information technology experts have a minimum of 5 years of job experience, including 1 year of cloud security experience and 3 years of information security experience to earn the credential.
- CompTIA Security+ certification
CompTIA Protection+ is regarded as one of the strongest introductory security credentials, ideal for anyone just starting out in a cybersecurity profession. The CompTIA Protection+ credential is an internationally recognised security credential that shows comprehension of the fundamental skills required to fulfil key security roles and functions.
CompTIA Protection+ is a fantastic starting point for an IT security profession, since it can be used to get junior security jobs and obtain valuable in-role knowledge, as well as a good basis for tackling the more technical topics found on the elite security certifications. CompTIA Security+'s importance to real-world situations was lauded by 26% of survey respondents.
- EC-Council Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)
The EC-Certified Council's Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO) programme, which is appropriate for anyone looking to advance into senior management, leadership, and executive-level roles, has grown in prominence in recent years. This course, according to 33% of cybersecurity experts, is one of the strongest for preparing graduates to excel in management roles.
CCISO is widely regarded as the industry's most comprehensive CISO job training programme. To earn this degree, you must have five years of expertise with any of the course's five domains, as well as pass the CCISO test.
Risk Management and Governance
Information Protection Management of controls, enforcement, and audits
Safety is paramount. Management and Operations of the Program
Information Protection Core Capabilities
Finance, procurement, and vendor management are also aspects of strategic planning.
- Security Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
Employers continue to value the Cisco Certified Network Professional certification (CCNP) Security, with 23% of respondents citing it as a qualification in demand. Cisco's CCNP certification is a specialised technical credential that includes passing a core exam and a "concentration review" of your choosing.
- EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification from EC-Council regularly places at the top of the list of security accreditations in high demand in the security industry. The CEH course teaches students how to ethically and legally infiltrate organisations using the most up-to-date commercial-grade hacking methods, tactics, and methodologies.
The CEH online training course spans 18 defence domains and over 270 assault methods and technologies, with the qualification requiring passing a four-hour 125-question test on the course domains, technologies, and hacking techniques. With CEH qualification opening the path to financially lucrative and in-demand penetration tester roles, it's no wonder that 21% of respondents intend to take the course over the next 12-24 months.
The EC-Council also offers the following well regarded courses and certifications that did not reach the top ten.
Testing for Advanced Penetration (APT)
Certified Encryption Specialist (EC-Council) (ECES)
Forensic Investigator into Computer Hacking (CHFI)
Network Defender Certification (CND)
- ISACA CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)
The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) by ISACA is one of the most recognised certifications in the security industry and is suitable for security management positions, as its name implies. The CISM is not for beginners; to take the course, you must have at least five years of committed role cybersecurity and computer management expertise.
Since the CISM course is geared toward security administrators, it places a heavy emphasis on policy, planning, and strategies, which are divided into four topic areas:
- Governance of Information Security (24 percent )
- Management of Information Risk (30 percent )
- Development and Management of Information Security Programs (27 percent )
- Management of Information Security Incidents (19 percent )
CISM was ranked third overall in a Forbes 2020 compensation report, with an outstanding annual salary of £110,000 ($148,622 USD), the highest dedicated security certification mentioned in the study.
- Offensive Security's PWK OSCP
The Offensive Security foundation course and qualification Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (PEN-200) is appropriate for beginners.
It is a self-paced online ethical hacking course that teaches penetration testing methods and strategies through hands-on exercises. PEN-200 prepares penetration testers not only with the expertise but also with the attitude needed to be competitive. The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) is awarded to students who complete the course and pass the test.
The course earned a strong rating in the survey. Cybersecurity experts claimed the course was quite relevant to the ‘real world,' putting the OSCP certification in second position in terms of how badly companies wanted it.
- ISC2 CISSP (Certified Information Security Professional)
The ISC2 Certified Information Systems Protection Professional (CISSP) continues to be the most high-demand security qualification in the industry. Employers are most interested in the CISSP certification, according to 72 percent of those polled.
The CISSP is a well-known and well-respected computer security specialist credential that has been around for a long time. The CISSP, like the CISM, is not for beginners. The credential includes 5 years of experience in information protection in a role, or 4 years if you have a degree in cyber / information security.
Since the CISSP course encompasses a wide range of computer security disciplines divided into eight domains, the three-hour test of 100 to 150 questions has proved famously challenging to pass for others.
The CISSP 8 domains are as follows:
- Management of Security and Risk (15 percent )
- Asset Security (10 percent )
- Security Engineering and Architecture (13 percent )
- Network and Communication Protection (13 percent )
- IAM stands for Identity and Access Management (13 percent )
- Assessment and Testing of Security (12 percent )
- Operational Security (13 percent )
- Security in Software Development (11 percent )
For those with the CISSP accreditation, which shows specialised expertise of particular fields of protection, ISC2 often offers many CISSP ‘concentrations' courses and tests. CISSP concentrations will make you stick out from the crowd as a specific protection subject matter specialist, even though they aren't directly sorted by employers in work advertising.
ISC2 offers the Associate of ISC2 as a pathway to the CISSP for those who are only getting started with their cybersecurity careers.
Is This Certification Beneficial?
It is difficult to quantify the worth of a cybersecurity certification since its effect may vary from assisting you in starting a new work to expanding your career. According to the expert, the kinds of individuals that get certificates have also altered in recent years. Previously, most credential applicants came from conventional IT and security backgrounds. However, individuals seeking certificates are increasingly coming from diverse backgrounds, indicating a rising interest in cybersecurity credentials and the perceived reward a certificate provides.
“It's become sufficient for people to realize that you don't need to be a newer network engineer to grasp the concepts of cybersecurity and to contribute to a team at the entry level as you advance in your career path,” Marks adds.
While certificates may help create a baseline of abilities, they are more than simply a way to obtain a job or a promotion, according to Jonathan Katz, a cryptography and cybersecurity professor at the University of Maryland.
“I believe the notion of having an education in cybersecurity, no matter where you are in your job, is fantastic, and I would promote it,” Katz adds. “There are a lot of resources for that, and whether you then go on to pay the money for certification is a separate issue. You may study and develop without having to go through the certification process.”
Security Experts Are in High Demand
The increasing need for educated experts is one of the draws of a cybersecurity job.
Even during the COVID-19 epidemic, there is a high need for cybersecurity employment, according to Stanger.
This expansion is occurring across the IT sector as individuals upskill for promotions or to satisfy the security needs of a homebound workforce.
“When it comes to cybersecurity, we see a lot of developers and even IT administrators becoming certified. And it doesn't imply they're obtaining high-end certifications,” Stanger explains.
Certs now Could Help You Land a Job
A cybersecurity certification is both a must-have and a cherry on top of a CV. It serves as a guide for companies and helps people stand out when applying for promotions and new jobs.
“Certification shows that this individual knows the procedure, which is critical for a security officer,” Stanger adds.
Certifications, in addition to helping you stand out to managers or potential employers, demonstrate that you are part of a broader professional network, which provides greater connections and opportunities for professional development.
“Because they're part of a broader community, it means you're bringing someone into your network environment who likely has other individuals they can reach out to and interact with,” Stanger explains. “So it's someone with connections, but also that basic knowledge of technology that's so essential for moving forward.”
When selecting a cybersecurity certification after college, or even without a college degree, you should consider your professional objectives. Are you beginning a cybersecurity career, looking for a promotion, or want to improve your current skills?
Some certs, such as CompTIA's Security+, need some knowledge and background; however, no college degree is required, and experience in an IT work setting is sufficient. Other certs, such as the Certified Information Security Manager, are more difficult and targeted for management and other high-level positions. However, a credential may improve someone's work by enabling them to interact more effectively with cybersecurity personnel, according to Marks.
Certs like the EC-Certified Council's Ethical Hacker may be costly and time-consuming to get. Employers often pay for certification depending on an individual's profession and position. This extends beyond IT-related companies to retail and other occupations. According to James Stanger, CompTIA's chief technology evangelist, federal government agencies are strong advocates of certifications such as Security+, which is extensively utilized throughout the United States Department of Defense.
Seek for industry-backed credentials wherever feasible, and search for free or low-cost online training classes, study guides, and other instructional resources. Take the exam once you are sure that you will pass it.
Cybersecurity as a career encompasses a wide range of specialties, including penetration testers, cybercrime detectives, auditors, and cybersecurity architects. People may access the area at various places since there is no one route. You may study cybersecurity directly after college or high school, or you can switch from another IT specialization to this one. You may enter cybersecurity with no prior experience if you decide it's time for a career shift. There are credentials intended to meet you where you are, regardless of your history.
Let us know in the comments what your favourite ten are.
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