Top 10 Most Wanted Cybersecurity Certifications

Cybercrime and theft are the most leading threats in the world. These threats therefore need a quick solution which can be you as a certified specialist. Cybersecurity is a process that involves the use of various technologies to protect networks and systems from cyber or digital attacks. It is interesting to note that it began as a research project by Bob Thomas who designed a program Creeper. It was able to move across networks and leave a trail every time it did. Ray Tomlinson who also implemented the ARPANET system (the first email program) was intrigued by Thomas’ idea. He tampered with it and created Reaper, the world first antivirus software, which eventually deleted Creeper. This activity follows the creation of another anti-malware to prevent malicious software that leads to issues like cybercrimes, cyberwars, and terrors.

Cybersecurity specialists help to curb this international problem that only intensifies as the years advance. They are one of the most needed and highly paid professionals in the IT sector. If you want to build your long-lasting career in this industry, you can start by learning and get various cybersecurity certifications. They will help you attain the knowledge that you need.

Top 10 Best Cybersecurity Certifications

1. GIAC GSEC

The GIAC Security Essentials certification entails showing your experience in dealing with IT systems. You must be able to illustrate that you fully understand information security. Some of the skills that you need are access control, cryptography, contingency plans, and Defensible Network Architecture. If you have never had another cybersecurity certification, you can start with this one since you will not require prior experience in any of them.

With this certificate, you can become an IT security specialist, a security engineer or a senior security consultant.

2. CompTIA Security+

The CompTIA Security+ certification shows that you have all the baseline skills that are necessary to implement fundamental security responsibilities. It puts you on the leading position to tackle various problems that you will encounter in the IT security department. It is designed to help you use the most current trends in detecting intrusions, managing, threats and alleviating risks. Once you register for the course, you get a chance learn about the all the core principles involved in network security.

It is recommendable that you have an idea or a great experience in IT administration for at least two years. It qualifies you for jobs like being a systems administrator, an information security analyst, an information technology manager, and a network engineer.

3. Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

Getting this certification can be a huge step towards expanding your knowledge about cybersecurity. It allows you to prove that you have all the technical skills that are fundamental to implement as well as monitor IT infrastructure. You make use of information security policies to protect the availability, confidentiality, and integrity of data. It allows you to gain skills that come in handy when dealing with emerging security threats. Some job titles that individuals can have with the SSCP certification include an information systems security officer, an information security analyst, and a cybersecurity analyst. Most of them compete with those who have the CompTIA Security+ certification.

If you are also interested in studying the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), this is the ideal place to start.

4. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Learning this certification is an excellent way to becoming a cybersecurity leader to help protect computer systems from attack. It allows you to advance your cybersecurity career and demonstrate your knowledge on designing, implementing, and successfully operating different information security programs. To be qualified, you must show your expertise in areas like cryptography, access control, as well as security management practices. You also need to have experience in telecommunications and various security models.

It is a must-have requirement for Chief Information Security Officers in many organizations. Other IT personnel who need it are security analysts, consultants, and managers. It allows you to meet other like-minded professionals with whom you share a passion. You are also able to comprehend better cybersecurity and how it operates.

5. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

This course is another cybersecurity certification that you can get to catapult your career to a higher level. It enables you to know how to identify vulnerabilities in specific target systems. You need to have all the necessary knowledge of a hacker, but you will be doing it lawfully. Going through the course allows you to practice ethical hacking and establish the minimal standards that other information security experts should meet. Organizations are going to hire you so that you can protect their systems from hackers.

You must be able to provide proof of at least two years of experience if you want to qualify to take up this exam. Once you have passed and you acquire an award inform of the certificate, you can apply for the positions of a penetration tester, a security consultant, an auditor, and an ethical hacker.

6. EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)

If you are an ethical hacker, acquiring this certification is the next big thing you need to do for yourself. It allows you to apply your hacking skills in various scenarios. Most of them cover tests about operating systems and modern infrastructure. You get a chance learn how to collate a comprehensive penetration testing report. You also learn how to use various methods to identify and mitigate the risks that are involved in the information security department.

With the ECSA certificate, you can be an information security tester, a network server administrator, or a risk management expert.

7. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP)

The CASP credential is the certification that you need to get if you want to remain in the cybersecurity field for a long time. It is quite advanced and not best for those who intend to stick to managing. It is about implementing solutions within various complex computer security frameworks. It allows you to show your skills in areas, such as computing integration, risk management, communications, and a variety of business disciplines. To qualify for the certification exam, you need to have as much as ten years of experience; having spent at least five of them tackling technical security issues.

With this certificate, you are well suited to be an information security analyst, a cybersecurity or systems engineer, and even a cyber-security analyst.

8. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

This cybersecurity certification enables you to acquire a better understanding of how IT risks are related to a company. It allows for the evaluation of the risk management proficiency that you have. It validates that you have all the necessary information to help a company understand current and potential business risks. It also proves that you can implement various information system controls.

There is a lot that you can be with this certificate. Some job titles that you are eligible for include a risk & information systems control instructor, a systems security analyst, and a Cybersecurity control assessor.

9. Harvard Cybersecurity Certificate

You can consider getting the Harvard Cybersecurity Certificate so that you can gain more knowledge about cybersecurity. It helps you to understand better the technological needs, threats, as well as vulnerabilities that are involved. You also know about the various protocols that are necessary when securing computer networks. No application is vital for this certificate. You should ensure you do is register for four certification courses (graduate credit) and complete them; having scored a grade B in each one of them. It will take you three years to get the credential.

Once you have it, you can feel confident to apply for a job as a security architect, a security engineer, a cryptanalyst, or a malware analyst.

10. Certified Wireless Security Professional (CWSP)

This certification requires you to be able to identify the vulnerabilities that a network has. You should also be able to do whatever it takes to prevent attacks that might happen because of those weaknesses. You need to understand the latest tools, trends, software, and wireless technologies that are currently in use. Some of the most critical topics that are you learn are in the form of design architectures, fast BSS transition strategies, and creating robust security networks. Once you take the exam, you must have a score of 70% or higher so that you can attain the credential; that comes with a validity of three years only. Then, you will have to recertify by taking and passing the most current CWSP exam.

Individuals with this certification can work as wireless network specialists, systems engineers, and implementation and virtualization engineers.

Conclusion

With the digital migration that has taken place in many parts of the world, cybersecurity specialists will be in demand for a long time. All organizations around the globe are hell-bent on ensuring that their computer systems are secure and less prone to attacks. They are all looking for the most qualified professionals to provide the security and skills that they need. That is why you should get various cybersecurity certifications. They help you comprehend systems and networks. They place you in a better position to apply for certain jobs so that you can climb the career ladder. Deciding not to acquire them will only illustrate complacency and lack of enough ambition to try something new.