cyber security certifications have become essential for professionals aiming to secure sensitive information and protect against cyber threats. At SecurityISMS, we understand the critical role these certifications play in enhancing your skills and credibility in the field of information security management. In addition cyber security certifications play a crucial role from a business point of view since in many cases it’s the only way for relevant people within the organization to recive critical buisness decision like hiring experts, buying software, acquisition of new company, purchasing SaaS, Cyber security certifications are crucial for people like a business owner, or relevant hiring individual to understand whether if they can processed hiring the candidate or not. This article explores various cyber security certifications, their importance, crucial business decision making , and how they can benefit your career and business, ignoring those signs will cost you fortune.
Why Pursue Cyber Security Certifications?
Cyber security certifications validate your knowledge and expertise in specific areas of information security, It also validate the software that you buy that it compliance with the law(for example SOC2), in addition, Cyber security certifications verify that the relevant expert, hold the knowledge they claim to hold. They are crucial for:
- Professional Growth: Certifications often lead to better job opportunities and higher salaries.
- Credibility: They demonstrate your commitment to staying updated with industry standards and best practices. They Prove a software is following and compliance with the law. They prove a company hold a certain cyber security standard within the organization.
- Skill Enhancement: Preparing for certifications helps you gain in-depth knowledge of various cyber security domains. Cyber security certification prove a company ground is solid and it’s foundation hold base on technical skills, as technical skills are the baseline for cyber security.
- Validity and confirmation: Certifications been through a lot of examine, tests, research and development, A company that suggest their cyber security is top notch but doesn’t have cyber security certifications or compliance with certifications – might not be as valid and as confirm as you think. And doing business with them might hold higher risk.
- Decision making: Relevant stack holders like CTO, CEO, acquisition teams, hiring teams are all making big and financially crucial business decisions based on their knowledge and expertise. However when it comes down to practical technical skills and knowledge, those critical and sensitive decisions needs to be done based on actual ground of work, paper work, research & development and validity of information structure that is base on historically proven cyber security certifications rather than on a hunch.
Popular Cyber Security Certifications
There are few popular and well known cyber security certifications, each has a slight different focus but some do overlap with one another. Which one is better? it’s the one you have or follow, much more than not following or be compliance with one or making decision without a base ground like cyber security certifications. Let’s dive in and go throught a few certifications.
1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The CISSP is one of the most sought-after certifications in the field. It covers a wide range of topics including security and risk management, asset security, and software development security. Achieving a CISSP certification signifies that you have a deep understanding of security concepts and can implement them effectively. Many owner of roles like Security Architects, Security Managers, Security Consultants can hold such certifications and by doing so they valid their knowledge regards Identity and Access Management, Communication and Network Security, Security Architecture and Engineering, Asset Security. Not having this certification doesn’t mean owner are not aware of those security subjects, however it increase the changes that in security there are subjects that are missing for the relevant people.
2. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
CISM focuses on managing and governing an enterprise’s information security program. It is ideal for individuals who design and manage an organization’s security framework. The CISM certification is recognized globally and demonstrates your ability to align information security with business goals. As we discussed earlier different cyber security certification have a slight different focus on their expertise of cyber security, Hence when we cover here a few of those cyber security certifications rather than focusing on single one that is the “best certification”.
3. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
The CEH certification trains you to think like a hacker and understand the strategies they use to breach networks. This knowledge is essential for developing robust security systems. CEH-certified professionals are adept at identifying vulnerabilities and implementing effective countermeasures.
4. CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level certification that provides foundational knowledge in areas such as network security, compliance, and operational security. It is an excellent starting point for those new to the field of cyber security.
Without diving into too many details let’s take a look at the rest of the list of cyber security certification:
| Certification Name | Issuing Organization |
|---|---|
| Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) | ISACA |
| Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP) | Offensive Security |
| Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) | (ISC) |
| GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) | GIAC (Global Information Assurance Certification) |
| Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) | ISACA |
| GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN) | GIAC |
| Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) | IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals) |
| Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate | Cisco |
| Certified Wireless Security Professional (CWSP) | CWNP (Certified Wireless Network Professionals) |
| GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) | GIAC |
| Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) | IACIS (International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists) |
| Certified Cybersecurity Professional (CCP) | (ISC) |
| GIAC Security Leadership (GSLC) | GIAC |
| Offensive Security Certified Expert (OSCE) | Offensive Security |
| Certified SCADA Security Architect (CSSA) | IACRB (International Association of Computer Science and Information Technology) |
The list of cyber security certifications is not limited to the above, There are many more certifications with different focus on slight different skills and subjects.
Benefits of Cyber Security Certifications
Increased Job Opportunities
Certified professionals are in high demand across various industries. With the rise in cyber threats, companies are looking for skilled individuals who can protect their digital assets. Certifications can open doors to roles such as security analyst, security manager, and security consultant. In addition as we’ve discussed before, different cyber security certifications provide a different focus on your skills or company compliance. Meaning that it can sharpen your skills for the next big upcoming cyber threats or area that needs more focus and will be in high demand (example: the years that following cloud computing growth also had an explosion of cloud cyber security. Past 2020 we’ve seen the massive growth of startups in information security within cloud computing, AWS, GCP, Azure ecosystem).
Higher Salaries
According to recent industry reports, certified cyber security professionals earn significantly higher salaries compared to their non-certified counterparts. Certifications can lead to lucrative positions in both the public and private sectors. The easiest way to ask for a raise is to also ask for a course on a certain cyber security certification. When relevant stack-holders like CTO, CEO, hiring teams face between multiple equal candidates, it means their ways of decision making can lean toward having a cyber security certification or not.
Keeping Up with Industry Trends
The field of cyber security is constantly evolving. Certifications ensure that you stay current with the latest tools, techniques, and best practices. This continuous learning process is vital for maintaining and advancing your career in cyber security. If hi-tech is never ending growth and self education (auto dedicate) than cyber security is somewhere at the top, Security always change, standards always change and technology always change. it’s a field for people who like to study, learn and grow and completing a cyber security certifications, even if it’s slightly off your focus can extend and wider your knowledge overall and land you opportunities that you have expected.
How to Choose the Right Certification
Selecting the right certification depends on your career goals, experience level, and interests. Here are a few steps to help you decide:
- Assess Your Current Skills: Identify your strengths and areas for improvement.
- Research Certification Requirements: Look into the prerequisites and study materials for each certification.
- Consider Your Career Goals: Choose certifications that align with your desired career path.
It’s best to understand where you stand with your current knowledge than make the relevant decision, however even if you knowledge exceed from what a “basic” cyber security certification will provide you, it still needed because otherwise other stack holders and relevant people like hiring teams won’t be able to verify and confirm your background and won’t be able to take decision and risks on you as an individual and on a company that is not verified on security but still actually comply with all the standard.
Conclusion
Cyber security certifications are a cornerstone of a successful career in information security management, and they are crucial baseline for decision making in the business world. They offer numerous benefits, from enhanced job prospects to staying ahead in a rapidly changing industry. We encourage professionals to pursue these certifications to strengthen their skills and advance their careers and encourage companies to base their decisions on reliable technical sources.
I am a software engineer with 20 years of experience of writing code, Software languages, Large scale web application, security and data protection of online digital assets in various software systems and services. I’ve decided to write and share my interests in cyber security online and information security to help and improve white hat security, safety and privacy of our online digital assets, As companies, as individuals or experts providing services. In here you’ll be able to read freely about cyber security threats, detections, common problems, services, news and everything related to information security and cyber security – enjoy and feel free to contact me via the contact page for any question.