This Year's 10 Best Cybersecurity Certifications

Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field, with a projected 33% market growth from 2020-2030. Considering the average for other industries is 8% – that’s pretty significant. And it’s no wonder, considering the rise of data breaches and security vulnerabilities, including government hackers seeking important data.

These days, you’ll find tons of cybersecurity jobs on various job boards, perhaps named slightly differently, like “information security analyst” or “data security consultant.” You might consider exploring cybersecurity certifications and credentials to land these roles and prove your expertise.

Let’s take a look at how a cybersecurity certificate can help you with your career, what attributes to look for when choosing from the top cybersecurity certifications, and how options like Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) can help you prevent cyber attacks.

First, what kind of cybersecurity jobs are out there?

Cybersecurity Job Options and Requirements

As a cybersecurity professional, your main goal is to protect data by implementing modern practices like a Zero Trust framework. Specific job duties might vary depending on the field you’re employed in. These are all related to information technology, sure, but government, finance, technology, and healthcare organizations might have different nuances in how they approach cybersecurity, risk, and vulnerability management.

Here are a few different career options you can choose from when seeking a career in cybersecurity:

• Cybersecurity Specialist
• Information Security or Vulnerability Analyst
• Penetration Tester
• Cybersecurity Architect
• Security or Cybersecurity Engineer
• Security or Cybersecurity Administrator
• Security Administrator
• Security Auditor
• Security Director
• Security Consultant
• Cryptographer
• Chief Information Security Officer
• Vulnerability Assessor
• Incident Responder
• Forensic Expert
• Source Code Auditor
• Security Manager

Can you score any of these roles armed with a certification for cybersecurity? Not quite. Most recruiters look for a minimal four-year bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field as a baseline. Undergraduate education will typically cover a foundation in programming, artificial intelligence, cryptography, statistics, and ethical hacking.

Your next method of standing out from the competition is securing a master’s degree in computer science or a related field. Graduate studies will cover ethics, biometry, cryptography, digital forensics, and more. Now, this isn’t usually a requirement for the above positions. However, you’ll often see it listed as “preferred” or “nice-to-have.”

Maybe you have both a bachelor’s and a master’s, or maybe you just have a bachelor’s degree. But the cherry on top is a cybersecurity certification.

The Best Cybersecurity Certifications

Here’s a quick overview of each certification to help you compare them. It should help you find the right certification for your skill set and specific needs. We also evaluated the fees and prerequisites.

1. CEH: Certified Ethical Hacker

How do the most secure organizations protect themselves from hackers? Ethical hacking. An ethical hacker tests an organization’s software security by attempting to hack into their system. This certification teaches you how to think and act like a hacker. Topics include hacking technologies, the latest vulnerabilities, information security laws, and standards. Students are put through real-time scenarios, exposed to hacking techniques, and taught how to scan, hack, and protect their system from the same. This course benefits security professionals, site administrators, and anyone concerned with network security. Before applying to a penetration tester position, arm yourself with this certification.

Cost: $950-$1,199

Prerequisites: 2 years of experience in information security; graduates of EC-Council training

Best for: Programmers interested in penetration tester roles

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2. CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)

This certification gives you the tools to excel in the management part of cybersecurity. Some topics of interest include:

• Security Risk Management
• Program Development and Management
• Governance
• Incident Management and Response

Cost: $575 for members; $760 for non-members

Prerequisites: 5 years of experience in a managerial role related to information security

Best for: Programmers interested in solidifying their managerial experience

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3. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA is a respected authority in the cybersecurity industry, offering various certifications to support growth in cybersecurity careers and education. The CompTIA Security+ certification is a great certificate in cybersecurity for IT professionals just starting in the security field. The exam covers a wide range of topics, like cyber attacks, incident response, architecture and design, governance and compliance, risk management, and cryptography.

Cost: $381

Prerequisites: 2 years of IT security experience recommended, but not required

Best for: Aspiring cybersecurity professionals just beginning their careers

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4. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP)

Moving up the certification ladder at CompTIA, the CASP is an advanced cybersecurity certification with hands-on experience in security engineering and architecture. Other topics covered include cryptography and governance. Despite the advanced level, this isn’t one of the best cybersecurity certifications for managers; instead, it’s a better fit for professionals who wish to work in technology as architects and engineers.

Cost: $480

Prerequisites: No formal requirements, but the exam provider recommends this certification exam only to IT professionals with at least 10 years of experience

Best for: Security engineers and architects seeking more advanced roles in enterprise security

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5. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

The CISSP is one of the best cybersecurity certifications for programmers and professionals seeking to advance their careers in the industry. It’s certainly not for beginners, requiring 5+ years of experience. It’s not uncommon to see security engineers and chief information security officers with this designation; however, they likely have many others as well. The CISSP certification is the most common requirement or preferred qualification for cybersecurity job postings.

Cost: $749

Prerequisites: 5 years of experience in at least two cybersecurity topic areas like Security and Risk Management, Security Engineering, Software Development Security, Communication and Network Security, and more

Best for: Cybersecurity professionals looking to move into management and senior roles

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6. GSEC: GIAC Security Essentials

The Global Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) from GIAC is one of the top cybersecurity certifications for beginner programmers looking to dive into the cybersecurity field. An entry-level certification, the GSEC is designed for professionals who aspire to occupy hands-on security roles. Some topics covered include active defense, cryptography, cloud security, and incident response. Graduates will have a strong basis to build expertise in areas such as:

• Information Security Program Development and Management
• Information Security Management
• Software Development Engineering
• IT Auditing

Cost: $2,499

Prerequisites: No specific prerequisites; however, we recommend getting familiar with basic computer science before enrolling

Best for: Cybersecurity beginners

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7. ECSA: EC-Council Certified Security Analyst

Also offered by EC-Council (like the CEH certification), the EC-Council Certified Security Analyst certification is a great choice for professionals interested in penetration testing positions. This certification is similar to the CEH certification but focuses more on methodical assessment and reporting. It gives you an understanding of hacking tools and the latest technologies and is suitable for roles like Network Server Administrator, Information Security Tester, Firewall Administrator, System Administrator, Risk Assessment Professional, and more.

Cost: $250

Prerequisites: 2 years of experience or completion of an EC-Council training course

Best for: Cybersecurity beginners interested in penetration testing careers

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8. SSCP: Systems Security Certified Practitioner

Offered by (ISC)², this certification ensures you’re equipped with advanced technical skills to implement, monitor, and administer IT infrastructure using best security practices, procedures, and policies. Some topics this certification deems you competent in include security administration, application security, incident response, and risk identification. The SSCP is one of the best certifications for cybersecurity if you’re on a budget, at a reasonable $249.

Cost: $249

Prerequisites: No specific prerequisites; however, we recommend getting familiar with basic computer science before enrolling

Best for: Cybersecurity beginners

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9. CISA: Certified Information Systems Auditor

Offered by ISACA, this certification demonstrates your prowess in control implementation, vulnerability assessment, and compliance reporting. A renowned certification for auditing, the CISA requires extensive experience for eligibility. CISA-certified professionals tend to have careers in these fields:

• Information Systems Auditing
• IT Management and Governance
• Protection of Information Assets

Cost: $575 for members; $760 for non-members

Prerequisites: 5 years of experience in IT auditing or assurance. ISACA also recognizes degree programs in place of each two-year requirement of experience

Best for: Experienced cybersecurity professionals looking to solidify their experience in auditing

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10. GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

Offered by GIAC, the Certified Incident Handler certification is a great cybersecurity credential for professionals that aspire to solidify their authority in threat detection and response to security incidents. Professionals with this certification will have certified knowledge about common attack techniques and vectors, security vulnerabilities, and practical prevention strategies.

Cost: $2,499

Prerequisites: No official prerequisites, though we recommend you have a basic understanding and relevant experience with security principles and networking protocols

Best for: Beginner cybersecurity professionals that want to specialize in incident response

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Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)

Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) is a leading certification body focused on validating practical, hands-on cybersecurity expertise. GIAC credentials are role-based, so you can choose paths that match your interests in areas like security essentials, incident response, digital forensics, cloud security, and industrial control systems.

GIAC exams are designed to test how well you can find security vulnerabilities, analyze real-world attack patterns, and apply prevention strategies under pressure. Rather than testing only theory, GIAC certifications emphasize applied skills that employers can trust in production environments, from hardening operating systems to identifying misconfigurations in cloud infrastructure.

To support candidates, GIAC and its training partners provide a range of resources, including intensive courses, labs, and practice exams. Used correctly, these resources help you build deep expertise, turn abstract security concepts into repeatable workflows, and keep your defensive playbook up to date as new threats and vulnerabilities emerge.

If you want vendor-neutral credentials that showcase your ability to detect and prevent cyber attacks, GIAC certifications like GSEC and GCIH are strong options to add to your cybersecurity resume.

How to Choose the Best Cybersecurity Certification For You

With so many reputable certification bodies and varied certifications, how do you pick the best one for your circumstances?

Think about the kind of career you’d like to pursue in cybersecurity. Are you more interested in incident response? Penetration testing? Security architecture? Vulnerability management and prevention? You’ll want to narrow down your interests to choose a certification that covers those areas.

You should also conduct research into job opportunities. Which certifications do your dream jobs require or ask for? For example, you might be less inclined to spend thousands of dollars on certification if most job ads don’t require them. Look at how often credentials like Security+, CISSP, and GIAC certifications are mentioned in roles you care about.

Which Certification Should I Pursue?

Taimur Ijlal, information security leader at Netify, advises, “There is no single certification that guarantees a job but certain certifications are valued more by employers depending on one’s experience level and career goals.

For those just starting out, I recommend beginning with vendor-neutral options like the CompTIA Security+ certification. This establishes a solid foundation in important cybersecurity concepts and principles. It validates an understanding of topics like network security, risk management, identity and access control, and security best practices. With Security+, candidates demonstrate they have the skills and knowledge needed to support cyber defense.

As professionals gain experience on the job, more advanced certifications help take their career to the next level. For example, CISSP from (ISC)² is the globally recognized certification for experienced security practitioners. It shows candidates have mastered cybersecurity across eight critical domains. CISSP tells employers individuals can properly design, implement, and manage a best-in-class security program.

Specialized security roles call for specialized certifications. Certifications like GIAC’s Security Essentials (GSEC) or the OSCP from Offensive Security provide deeper learning in technical areas like vulnerability assessment, network security architectures, secure coding practices, and penetration testing. These are ideal for candidates pursuing more focused positions.

To learn more, check our guide to CompTIA’s certifications. And if you’re looking for industry-recognized options, choose something well-known. The most popular cybersecurity certifications include CompTIA Security+, CISSP, and GSEC.

Conclusion

Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing industry in the tech field brimming with job opportunities for IT professionals like yourself. Cybersecurity certifications are a great way to give yourself a competitive edge in the job market, whether you’re applying for network security engineer roles, security analyst positions, or even data analyst roles that require strong security awareness.

Before paying for certification, try to gain some experience under your belt to ensure you score well on the exam and can apply what you learn to real security vulnerabilities and prevention strategies. A great place to start? Cybersecurity tutorials and other hands-on resources that teach you how to think like an attacker and defend like an expert.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is a Cybersecurity Certification Worth It?

Yes, a cybersecurity certification is worth it. Many cybersecurity roles posted on job boards request it, and even if they don’t, the certification will help you shine apart from other applicants by validating your credentials and expertise.

2. How Do You Get Certified in Cybersecurity?

You must first be accepted into a certification program, study the required material and resources, then score a favorable result on an exam.

3. Which Cybersecurity Certification Should I Get First?

We recommend starting with an entry-level certification if you have under two years of experience in the cybersecurity field. The EC-Council Certified Security Analyst or CompTIA Security+ are both great places to start.

4. How Long Does it Take to Get Certified in Cybersecurity?

When considering preparatory courses and prep time, most cybersecurity professionals take up to two years to get certified. If you already have significant job experience, however, you might not need as much time to get certified.

5. Does Cybersecurity Require Coding?

Beginner cybersecurity roles won’t often require a lot of coding, but you should have basic coding skills just in case. As you move up the cybersecurity career ladder, more coding will be required.

6. Is Cybersecurity a Good Career?

Yes. Cybersecurity professionals can anticipate a 33% market growth from 2020 to 2030, which promises job security. Salaries are also quite high, ranging between $70,000 - $120,000, with executive roles fetching even higher salaries.

Footnotes

• Information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
• Information from CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/08/politics/china-hacking-state-governments-mandiant/index.html