If you want to enhance your career prospects in information security, earning the best information security certification can be a great option.
The certification in the field of IT security can demonstrate your expertise, increase your salary potential, and make you a skilled and knowledgeable pro for your organization.
However, with so many information security certifications available, you might wonder which one to choose. To help you decide, here are 10 popular information security certifications you can consider.
The benefits of information security certifications
Information security certifications showcase your expertise and proficiency in aspects of cybersecurity. These certifications can help you accomplish your career objectives while gaining an advantage in the industry.
There are advantages to acquiring information security certifications:
1. Increased earning potential: Certified professionals can demonstrate their value and skills to employers, resulting in salaries compared to certified individuals. Research indicates that certifications can boost salaries by up to 20%.
2. Enhanced reputation: Certified professionals can exhibit their knowledge and experience in cybersecurity techniques and best practices. This allows them to stand out from others while receiving recognition from peers and mentors.
3. Expanded professional network: Certified professionals can connect with experts and specialists within cybersecurity domains. Additionally, they gain access to resources such as peer networking, idea exchange, and continuing education opportunities.
4. Ethical compliance: Certified professionals can demonstrate adherence to the standards and codes of conduct established by organizations and authorities involved in information security and privacy, such as ISO, ISC2, and SANS, among others.
Top 10 information security certifications
CompTIA Security+
The CompTIA Security+ certification is a widely recognized credential that validates your foundational knowledge and skills in information security.
It covers domains such as network security, threat management, cryptography, and identity management. Whether you are new to the field or have some experience, you can benefit from the comprehensive study materials and practice tests available for this certification.
To earn the CompTIA Security+ certification, you must have at least two years of IT administration experience focusing on security. Apart from that, you must also have the CompTIA Network+ certification or equivalent knowledge in the industry.
The CompTIA Security+ exam fee is $339. To pass the Security+ certification exam, you must complete 90 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions in 90 minutes. The passing score is 750 out of 900. To renew your Security+ certification, you need to renew your certification every three years by completing continuing education activities.
The CompTIA Security+ certification is a known and respected qualification confirming your understanding and information security abilities. It encompasses areas such as network security, managing threats, cryptography, identity management, and more. Whether you're new to the field or have some experience, you can use the study materials and practice tests for this certification.
To obtain the CompTIA Security+ certification, it is required that you have a minimum of two years of experience in IT administration with a focus on security. Additionally, you should also hold the CompTIA Network+ certification. Possess knowledge in the industry. The exam fee for the Security+ certification is $339. To pass the Security+ certification exam, you must answer 90 choice and performance-based questions within 90 minutes. The passing score is 750 out of 900. To keep your Security+ certification valid, it's necessary to renew it every three years by completing continuing education activities.
CompTIA PenTest+
The CompTIA PenTest+ certification demonstrates your penetration testing and vulnerability assessment expertise. It covers five areas of information security: pen testing tools, attacks and exploits, gathering information and identifying vulnerabilities, reporting and communication as compliance and legal considerations. You can opt for in-person courses that provide knowledge and practical skills to prepare for this certification.
To become a certified professional in CompTIA PenTest+, it is recommended to have a minimum of three to four years of hands-on experience in the security field. Additionally, a registration fee of $339 is required to enroll for the exam. The certification exam consists of multiple choice questions as performance-based tasks that must be completed within 165 minutes. You'll need a score of 750 out of 900 points to pass the exam. It's important to note that maintaining a CompTIA PenTest+ certification requires renewal every three years through the completion of continuing education activities.
CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
The CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification demonstrates your expertise in detecting threats and analyzing data. It also signifies your ability to protect applications and systems from vulnerabilities and monitor network behavior. The CySA+ certification is an addition to the CompTIA Security+ and PenTest+ certifications, which focus on the offensive aspects of information security, respectively. With its emphasis on the side of information security, obtaining the CySA+ certification paves the way for a career as a security analyst.
To earn the Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification, it is necessary to have hands-on security experience for a minimum of three to four years. The cost of this certification is $346. It includes choice- and performance-based questions that must be completed within 165 minutes. To pass the exam, you need to achieve a score of 750 out of 900 points.
CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)
The CASP+ certification is a credential that demonstrates your cybersecurity skills and knowledge. It is specifically designed for professionals seeking high-level roles, such as security architects, analysts, engineers, or consultants. Recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense and other government agencies, this certification sets a standard for excellence in cybersecurity.
What sets the CASP+ certification apart is its focus on real-world scenarios and the ability to solve security challenges. To ensure success in the CASP+ certification exam, you can access study materials online or in print format.
To be eligible for the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) exam, you must have at least 10 years of IT administration experience and five years of hands-on technical security experience. Additionally, you need to purchase an exam voucher, which remains valid for one year from the date of purchase. The exam fee is $379. During the 165-minute exam duration, you must answer 90 choice and performance-based questions and achieve a 750 out of 900 score to pass.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The CISM certification showcases your expertise and leadership in managing information security within businesses and organizations. It is specifically designed for professionals responsible for creating, implementing, and overseeing information security programs at an enterprise level. By obtaining the CISM certification, you demonstrate your commitment to maintaining the standards in security risk management, program development and management, governance, incident management, and response. Employers worldwide see the CISM certification as a symbol of excellence in information security management.
To qualify for the CISM certification, individuals should possess at least five years of work experience with at least three years in a managerial capacity. Candidates must successfully pass the four-hour CISM exam comprising 200 multiple-choice questions. To retain their CISM certification status, candidates must renew their certification by paying the fee every three years and completing 120 hours of continuing education.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification is widely accepted and well-known for its high standards. The CISSP certification program is suitable for IT decision-makers responsible for creating and implementing security standards, policies, and procedures.
To earn the CISSP certification, according to ISC2, candidates must have at least five years of full-time, paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the (ISC2) Common Body of Knowledge. Also, they must choose a concentration in architecture, engineering, or management. The ISC2-CISSP certification exam will cost you around $699 and an additional $599 for each concentration.
On top of all these requirements, IT professionals are required to recertify their certification every three years with continuing education. To maintain the CISSP certification, candidates must pay a maintenance fee of $85 annually.
SANS GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
The GSEC certification offered by SANS GIAC is a credential that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in handling various information security challenges. With this certification, you will gain expertise in defending against attacks, securing networks and systems, implementing cryptography, and more.
To obtain the GSEC certification, you have two options. You can. Enroll in a SANS training course that includes the exam fee or register for the exam separately. The cost of the exam is $1,899. It may vary depending on your location. To pass the GSEC certification exam, you need to achieve a score of 73%. The duration of the exam is 5 hours. Additionally, there is a maintenance fee of $429 that needs to be paid every four years.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification demonstrates your ability to hack and safeguard organizations against hackers ethically. It equips you with the skills to identify vulnerabilities in systems and networks using hacking tools and techniques.
To obtain the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, candidates should possess a minimum of two years of experience in information security. The exam fee for this certification ranges from $950 to $1,199, depending on the location. To pass the CEH exam, a minimum score of 70% is required.
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
The OSCP certification, the Offensive Security Certified Professional, is a testament to your abilities and expertise in conducting real-world penetration testing and exploiting systems and networks. Throughout this certification, you will utilize Kali Linux, a tool hackers use to carry out various attacks and overcome security measures.
To obtain the OSCP certification, you are required to enroll in the Penetration Testing with Kali course. The cost of this course includes the examination fee of $800. Additionally, you must complete a hands-on exam tasked with compromising machines within a 24-hour and submitting a report. It's important to note that in order to maintain your OSCP certification, it must be renewed every three years.
Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification confirms that you possess the skills and knowledge to design, implement, and manage cloud security solutions and services. It showcases your security architecture, design, operations, and service orchestration expertise.
For individuals interested in obtaining the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification exam, it is mandatory to have a total of five years of work experience in information technology. Three of these five years must be dedicated to information security, while one year must be focused on one of the six CCSP domains. The cost for taking the CCSP exam is $549; a minimum score of 700 out of 1000 is required to pass.
In addition to meeting the experience requirements mentioned above, candidates are also expected to adhere to the ISC2 code of ethics and obtain an endorsement from another ISC2-certified professional within nine months of passing the exam. Moreover, IT professionals who hold this certification must pay an annual maintenance fee of $100 and fulfill continuing education requirements every three years to keep their certification active.
The bottom line
There, you have it all. You can contact us if you are interested in earning any of the information security certifications mentioned in this blog post. CBT Proxy has been there for over a decade, helping IT professionals complete their certification goals.
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