Don’t Get Left Behind! 10 Cybersecurity Certifications to Boost Your Career in 2023

As society relies more on the internet for almost everything from work to financial management to data storage, we also depend on cybersecurity experts to protect our privacy while we send and receive data. Cybersecurity is the practice of guarding computers, data, and networks from any kind of damage, loss, theft, or illegal access.

As our interconnectivity escalates, so do the opportunities for hackers to steal, disrupt, or damage. The rise in cybercrime has increased the demand for cybersecurity professionals. Over the next eight years, job opportunities should increase by 35%.

10 Cyber Security Certifications Companies Are Looking For

For those who are planning to enhance their cyber security career, certifications are great to help you land jobs and boost your career. Most people who work in cyber security have a degree in computer science, but some companies would rather hire people who have cyber security certifications that prove they know best practices.

Here are the top 10 cybersecurity certifications that all new and experienced cybersecurity professionals need:

Security+  Certification
Every day, new cyberthreats and vulnerabilities are discovered. Industry certifications help you stay current and ahead of the curve.

CompTIA Security+ is a worldwide IT security certification. RW2 Career and Technical Education (RW2) will be offering training and certification in April. Students can access classes online, with live instruction or in-person.

CompTIA Security+ is a basic cybersecurity certification. It tests network security, threats and vulnerabilities, compliance and operational security, application and software security, access control, and identity management. The certification covers encryption, risk management, mobile, and cloud security.

Security+ trains professionals to defend organizations from cyberattacks. System administrators, IT operations, IT infrastructure, and IT service professionals should get this certification. Employers like Security+ because it meets government requirements for military and government contractors.

Security+ certification proves you understand cyber security fundamentals. This increases your job and career prospects.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
CISSP certification is designed for people with hands-on experience in the field and is mandatory for career advancement. Getting your CISSP shows that you know about IT security and are qualified to set up, design, and run a cyber-security program.

To qualify for the exam, you must have five or more years of cumulative work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the (ISC)2 CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). The CISSP certification is for experienced security professionals who want to move up in their careers and take on jobs like chief information security officers, security administrators, senior security consultants, and others.

Certified Information System Auditor (CISA)
CISA certification from the IT professional association ISACA helps show your competence in evaluating security vulnerabilities, designing and implementing controls, and reporting on compliance. It’s one of the most widely recognized certifications for careers in cybersecurity auditing.

To qualify for the CISA, you need to have at least 5 years of experience in IT, IS audit, security control, or assurance. This certification is for IT professionals who are in the middle of their careers and want to move up to jobs like cyber security auditor, IT audit manager, IT security engineer, and others.

GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
Obtaining the GCIH certification validates your knowledge of offensive operations, including common attack techniques, and your capacity to detect, respond to, and defend against attacks. The exam covers computer crime investigation, incident handling, hacker exploits, and tools. There are no prerequisites for taking the GCIH exam, but it’s better to know security principles, networking protocols, and the Windows command line.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
A CEH understands and recognizes the weaknesses and vulnerabilities in systems and makes use of this knowledge as a malicious hacker, but legitimately and lawfully. The EC-Council provides CEH certification. Having this certification shows your skills in penetration testing and attack detection. To qualify for the CEH exam, candidates must have two years of work experience in information security or complete an official EC-Council training.

Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
Computer hacking forensic investigation is the process of detecting hacking attacks, extracting evidence appropriately to report the crime, and conducting audits to prevent attacks in the future. Getting the CHFI certification proves that the candidate knows how to find an intruder’s footprints and gather the evidence needed to bring a case to court.

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
CISM was launched by ISACA in 2022 and attracts professionals with technical expertise and experience in IT security who want to pivot from the technical to the managerial side of cyber security. The CISM exam assesses IT professionals and validates their expertise in the following domains: information risk management, information security governance, information security program development and management, and information security incident management.

To take the exam, at least 5 years of experience in information security management are needed; experience waivers are available for a maximum of 2 years.

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control(CRISC)
CRISC certification validates your skills in the field of information system control and risk management. It is designed for people who help businesses execute information system controls and mitigate business risk. To take the exam, you must have five years of experience in IT risk management or any of the cyber security domains, such as risk identification, assessment, evaluation, risk monitoring, risk response, and others.

Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (ISSAP)
ISSAP is a CISSP that specializes in designing security solutions and providing management with risk-based guidance to meet organizational goals. It facilitates the alignment of security solutions within the organizational context, such as mission, vision, policies, strategies, requirements, change, and external factors.

The training itself is a comprehensive and in-depth review of information security architectural concepts and industry best practices in the deployment, design, and maintenance of an information security program. To take the test, candidates must be CISSPs in good standing and have worked for two years in one or more of the CISSP-ISSAP CBK domains.

Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
With the SSCP certification, which is an intermediate security credential from (ISC)2, employers will see that you have the skills to design, implement, and monitor a secure IT infrastructure. The test will see how well you know about access control, finding and analyzing risks, responding to incidents, security administration, network communications, system security, and application security.

The SSCP is made for IT professionals working hands-on with the security systems or assets of an organization. This credential is suitable for positions like system administrator, network security engineer, security analyst, systems engineer, security consultant, and database administrator.

Candidates for the SSCP must have at least one year of paid work experience in one or more of the testing areas. It can also be met by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a program related to cyber security.

Conclusion
A career in cybersecurity isn’t one-size-fits-all. But the more specialized you are, the more advantageous your skills can become. 

By finishing our 24-week cybersecurity program, you can be hired as a certified cybersecurity professional with full confidence, knowing that you are skilled.

So, sign up now and don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn and get certified in an RW2 cybersecurity program to advance your knowledge and skills and raise your career status within the industry.

SECURE your seat in a class and get certified in cybersecurity today!

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Carolinet

    This article offers a fascinating perspective on the subject. The depth of research and clarity in presentation make it a valuable read for anyone interested in this topic. It’s refreshing to see such well-articulated insights that not only inform but also provoke thoughtful discussion. I particularly appreciated the way the author connected various aspects to provide a comprehensive understanding. It’s clear that a lot of effort went into compiling this piece, and it certainly pays off. Looking forward to reading more from this author and hearing other readers’ thoughts. Keep up the excellent work!

    1. rw2edu_q0w00c

      Thank you so much for your thoughtful and encouraging comment! Your feedback motivates us to continue exploring and presenting complex topics in a way that resonates with readers.

Leave a Reply