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Professional Certifications in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity or Information security is the current hot-cake in the market because of emerging awareness and the need for protection of Data available online. It is a simple process to protect computers and Data available on them or in the network from being damaged, lost or unauthorized accesses.

What is the need for getting Security Certification?

An increase in good connectivity over networks has also brought a greater chance for important data to be distorted. This has also stoked the demand for good cybersecurity specialists in the market. Good knowledge of this domain will spike up your career credibility and give you a chance to earn higher. You eventually become a highly regarded member of your firm.

How to get There?

Talking for College pass-outs, does a simple Bachelor’s degree enough to crack it? The answer is NO. Although this works sometimes, most big companies look out for some extra in the form of good ‘Cybersecurity Certifications’. Yes, you heard it right! companies prefer some extra certifications, which give extra knowledge of the best cybersecurity practices available in the market.

There are hundreds and thousands of such certifications, from business-specific to entry-level or advanced.

Hereafter deep research and findings, we have brought Top-10 Security 

Certifications that you must have at the end of 2022 to start a great 2023 with some new opportunities.

  1. CISA(Certified Information Systems Auditor):

Information Systems Audit and Control Association(ISACA) a leading player in providing secure IT platforms, had bought this widely known course/certification for IT industries focused on audit control, information security, and support.

To earn this certification, applicants must draft an application, abide by professional ethics and follow the organization’s auditing standards. They need to qualify it’s one exam too. In annexation, a five-year experience is a must with Information Systems.

Facts and figures:

Certification Name – Certified Information Systems Auditor(CISA)

Exams – One; 150 questions in 4 hours

The cost of the Exam is $575 for members and $760 for non-members

Linkshttps://www.isaca.org/credentialing/cisa

Study Materials Virtual Instructor-led courses, review manuals, and on-demand specific training available on ISACA.

160+ courses and training on Udemy.

Books CISA Certified Information Systems Auditor Study Guide

available on Amazon.

CISA

2) CISSP(Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

Although CISSP is an advanced-level certification but is the most demanded by companies. This course is offered by the Information Systems Security Certification Consortium(ISC)2; ISC squared. This platform is famous globally for its excellent standards. 

These security credential holders are seen as the best settlement-makers who manage policies, and processes and define as well as manage security standards for their company.

To get this certification a college degree and a minimum of five years of experience are compulsory in at least two ISC2’s CBK(Common Body of Knowledge) scope.

Facts and figures:

Certification Name – Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Exams – One (English CAT Test:100-150 to 125-175 questions in 3 hours and 250 questions in six hours for non-English)

The cost of the exam is $749

Links –  https://www.isc2.org/Certifications/CISSP

Study Materials – private, live, on-demand, live instructor-led classes all available on site

24H course is available on cloud academy.

Books – (ISC)2 CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional Official Study Guide & Practice Tests Bundle

available on Amazon.

CISSP

3) CISM(Certified Information Security Manager)

CISM is the most recognized security credential for IT enthusiasts who want to manage and enroot IT systems. This certificate is also given by ISACA and was brought up in 2003.

The aspirants for this certificate need to pass one exam and also possess a minimum of five years of experience in Information Security administration. Although if have no experience then some degrees can also be substituted for that. Students/professionals must submit a written application and fulfill the continuing education policy of the organization working in.

Facts and figures:

Certification Name – Certified Information Security Manager(CISM)

Exams – One;150 questions in four hours.

The cost of the exam is $575 for members and $760 for non-members.

Linkshttps://www.isaca.org/credentialing/cism

Study Materials – Multilingual Study materials and training are available.

Comprehensive training for the security certification exam is accessible on Udemy.

Books – CISM Certified Information Security Manager Study Guide 1st Edition by Mike Chapple

available on Amazon

CISM

4) CompTIA Security+

This is one of the famous merchant-neutral security certificates. It is an entry-level certification, which gives complete knowledge of threat management, security systems, cryptography, identity management, security infrastructure, risk identification, and remission. It meets the ISO 17024 standards as well as the U. S. Defense Department approves. 

A single exam needs to be passed and training can also be taken as per the choice of candidates.

Facts and figures:

Certification Name –  CompTIA Security+

Exams – SY0-601 exam, 90 minutes for 90 questions; candidates need 750 out of 900 to pass.

The cost of the exam is $381(vouchers available on-site for discounts).

Links – comptia.org/certifications/security

Study Materials – CertMaster Online training tool, computer-based training, comprehensive study guide, and various training kits are available on the site CompTIA.org.

Book – CompTIA Security+ Certification Kit: Exam SY0-601 6th Edition by Mike Chapple

available on Amazon.

CompTIA Security+

5) CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)

It is one of the best hacking, Information security management, and bug mitigation security certificates offered by the EC-Council.

The EC-Council determines the condition for candidates eligible for CEH exam registration:

1)Minimum 2 years experience Information Security field, backed up by proofs such as experience certificates, etc.

Facts and Figures

Certification Name – Certified Ethical Hacker(CEH)

Exams – 125 MCQs in 4 hours.

The cost of the CEH exam along with the application fee is $100.

Links –  eccouncil.org/programs/certified-ethical-hacker-ceh/

Study Materials –  Intellipaat offers training and courses on CEH.

BookCEH v11 Certified Ethical Hacker Study Guide + Practice Tests Set 2nd Edition by Ric Messier

available on Amazon.

CEH

6) SSCP (Systems Security Certified Practitioner)

This intermediate certification is offered by (ISC)2. It boosts the skill to design, instrument, and audit IT systems. It is the most famous certification amongst Security Consultants, Systems engineers, Security Analysts, Database Admins, and Network Security Engineers.

Applicants need a minimum of one year of work experience in the testing domain or can also be substituted by a bachelor’s or Master’s degree in any of the Cybersecurity programs.

Facts and Figures

Certification Name – Systems Security Certified Practitioner(SSCP)

Exams – One MCQ Exam, consisting of 150 questions in 4 hours; 700 points are required out of 1000.

The cost of the exam is $249.

Links isc2.org/Certifications/SSCP/Certification-Exam-Outline

Study Materials – available on isc2.org/Certifications/SSCP/Certification-Exam-Outline

Book(ISC)2 SSCP Systems Security Certified Practitioner Official Study Guide & Practice Tests Bundle 3rd Edition by Mike Wills

available on Amazon.

SSCP

7) GCIH (GIAC Certified Incident Handler) 

Offered by GIAC Certifications, is a practitioner’s security certificate available for contemplating, acknowledging, and resolving security incidents. The certification holder develops an understanding to detect typical attacks and design tools to safeguard a system against such attacks. Hacker Tools such as Nmap, Netcat, and Metasploit are covered.

Facts and Figures:

Certification Name – GIAC Certified Incident Handler(GCIH)

Exams – One proctored exam of 4 hours consisting of 106 questions, minimum passing percentage -> 70%

The cost of GCIH is $949

Linksgiac.org/certifications/certified-incident-handler-gcih/

Study Materials – Available on Reddit(reddit.com/r/computerforensics/comments/lgdg9r/gcih_study_material/)

Book – GCIH GIAC Certified Incident Handler All-in-One Exam Guide 1st Edition, Kindle Edition by Nick Mitropoulos
Edition available on Amazon.

GCIH

8) GSEC (GIAC Security Essentials Certification)

This certification is offered by GIAC (Global Information Assurance Certification). This is also an entry-level security certification but requires the applicant to have a little background in Networking and Information Systems. Professionals usually take this certification to move their career into cybersecurity from an IT background. The certification holder can work as an SDE, Security Admin, IT Security Manager, and Penetration Tester.

Facts and figures :

Certification Name -GIAC Security Essentials Certification(GSEC)

Exams – 106 to 180 questions in 300 mins.

The cost of this exam is $949

The passing score is 73%.

Linkshttps://www.giac.org/certifications/security-essentials-gsec/

Study Materials – are available on Udemy.

Book –  GSEC GIAC Security Essentials Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Second Edition 2nd Edition by Ric Messier

available on Amazon.

GSEC

9) OSCP (Offensive Security Certified Professional)

Offensive Security is a leading IT company is providing this certification for penetration testers. This exam assesses the candidate’s knowledge of how to compromise a series of target machines employing polymorphic exploitation steps and how he can give multiple assessment summaries of each attack. OSCP is currently in demand for the jobs like Threat Researchers, Penetration testers, Application Security Analysts, and Ethical hackers.

Facts and figures:

Certification Name – Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

Exam -Two exams each of 60 and 40 points. (For the complete exam structure visit the links row)

The passing point is 70 including a score for both exams.

Linkshttps://www.offensive-security.com/offsec/oscp-exam-structure/

Study Materials – OSCP Study Guide available on Udemy.

Book OSCP A Complete Guide – 2021 Edition Paperback – October 29, 2020
Available on Amazon.

OSCP

10) CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate ) This certificate approves middle-level attendants or associates to work on the Cisco networks. This security certification is devoted to examining various networks and installing and troubleshooting them. 

Candidate must have prior knowledge of CCNA routing and switching as well as CCENT.

Facts and Figures:

Certification Name – Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Exam – One exam of 2 hours is available in Japanese and English. 

The cost of this exam is $300 plus tax.

Linkshttps://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/training-events/training-certifications/exams/current-list/ccna-200-301.html

Study Materials – Available on Udemy.

Books CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide Library 1st Edition by Wendell Odom available on Amazon.

CCNA

What’s the need for Security certifications?

Although you are a high-paid Associate/SDE/Engineer or Consultant; getting the right security certification uplifts your skills and knowledge to get a better salary hike in your company. The right certification can be an advantage to getting the best jobs in the market.

How to get the right Credentials?

As a principle 101, a relevant work experience should always be seen as a precursor to any certification. However, one must keep in mind the two important things while choosing a security certification:

1) Experience level in the current skill set you are working on

2) Cost of the Credential, as most of the time these certifications cost a huge amount on the applicant’s pocket.

3) Cybersecurity is a vast domain in itself, it is importat to choose the right combinations of the certifications, depending upon your vertifical in this domain. e.g. security governance, offensive security, SOC, etc.

Also, an important point to keep in mind is to ask first your employer if they are providing some similar certifications in the company or are providing any reimbursement for the certification taken by you.

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