Cybersecurity stands among the most demanded fields in IT consulting. With a majority of people stepping towards the field of cybersecurity, how can you outshine the crowd and present your knowledge and skills to potential employers and clients?
The best option to showcase your capabilities, skills, and knowledge is to obtain a cybersecurity certification aligning with your interests and career goals. However, with a plethora of options available, the crucial task becomes discerning the right certification for you. Hence, this article is crafted specially to provide you guidance through some key elements for considering the best cyber security certifications.
What is Cybersecurity Certification?
A validation of the skills and knowledge of professionals in the field of cybersecurity is called cybersecurity certification. It includes taking courses and exams to pass the proficiency test in multiple areas, such as risk management, network security, and ethical hacking.
How To Choose A Top Cybersecurity Certification?
While selecting a cybersecurity certification for yourself, you must do your research and look for the one that aligns the best with your career goals and is likely to prove beneficial for your future growth, too. To ease your cybersecurity certificate selection process, some of the key factors are listed below:
Domain and Interest
Cybersecurity is a diverse field with various specializations like cloud security, network security, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and risk management. Depending on your interests, you can focus on specific areas, such as the CEH certification for testing system and network security or the CCSP certification for expertise in cloud security architecture and operations.
Target Market and Industry
Consider your target market and industry when selecting a cybersecurity certification, as different sectors have varied requirements. For instance, those aiming for government or defense roles may pursue the CASP+ certification aligned with DoD standards. Meanwhile, professionals in healthcare or finance find value in certifications like CRISC, addressing industry-specific challenges and regulations.
Your Experience
Evaluate your current cybersecurity expertise before choosing a certification. Beginner certifications like CompTIA Security+ teach fundamentals, while advanced ones such as CISSP are suitable for experienced professionals aspiring to leadership roles, validating skills in secure IT infrastructure management.
Career Prospects and Opportunities
Consider your career prospects when selecting a cybersecurity certification to ensure it aligns with your goals for career advancement, income growth, and network expansion. Research salary potential, market demand, and certification recognition using sources like job boards, industry reports, salary surveys, and online forums. Notably, certifications like CRISC, CISM, CISA, and CISSP were among the highest-paying cybersecurity certifications in the US, according to the 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report by Global Knowledge.
Budget and Time
Obtaining cybersecurity certifications involves a substantial investment of both time and money. Consider your budget and time constraints, as certifications vary in cost, prerequisites, and renewal requirements. For instance, the CISSP certification, priced at $699, mandates five years of work experience, a six-hour exam, and renewal every three years with 120 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits. Individuals need to engage in ongoing professional development activities to earn these CPE credits.
In contrast, the CompTIA Security+ certification, priced at $370, requires no work experience, features a 90-minute 90-question exam, and needs renewal every three years with 50 CPE credits.
Advantages of Cybersecurity Certification
A cybersecurity certification assesses the capabilities and knowledge of individuals and is also a strong presentation of their skills for employers. In addition to this, there are several other benefits of cybersecurity certification:
Career Advancement:
Cyber security certifications bring multiple new career advancement opportunities for individuals. It illustrates your commitment to your profession and passion for enhancing your knowledge and skills. By presenting your certification, you can be considered for leadership roles, higher-paying positions, and promotions within your organization.
With cyber security certifications, entry-level positions and even individuals who have advanced their careers get multiple opportunities for better future growth. Hence, by getting cyber security certifications, an individual can stand out from the crowd when applying for job positions in top companies.
Marketability and Credibility:
The cyber security certifications program offers credibility to candidates looking for a career in the field of cyber security. It represents your required skills and knowledge to the employers to secure their data and systems. Hence, obtaining a cyber security certification in this highly competitive field can help you outshine the other competitors, increasing your marketability.
Better Compensation and Salary:
Cyber Security professionals with certification are much more valued in the job market. They are highly in demand because of their specialized skills and often get better compensation, packages, and salaries than non-certified candidates. When you hold a cyber security certification program, your salary might increase up to 20%, and hence, you can lead to a higher earning potential.
Professional Networking Opportunities:
A cyber security certificate can offer individuals several professional networking opportunities. The cyber security certification exams and courses bring together several professionals from various industries and organizations, creating a platform for individuals of the same interest to exchange knowledge and connect. These networking opportunities often lead to better career opportunities, collaborations, ideas, and partnerships.
Stay Updated with Evolving Technology:
The cyber security field evolves constantly, with new cyber threats and technologies emerging every day. The cyber security certifications program provides candidates to stay updated with the latest developments, making sure they are well-equipped to encounter new traits and challenges. This constant education helps individuals align with the new cyber security skills, making them valuable assets for their organizations.
Conclusion
Getting a cybersecurity certificate offers several benefits, such as enhanced expertise and knowledge, better job opportunities, higher earning potential, and recognition by the leaders of the industry. Certifications also offer access to better credibility and trust, professional growth, and valuable resources. Overall, a cyber security certification proves to be a valuable investment for your career.
To grab one of the leading cyber security positions in a top-notch organization, enroll in cyber security certifications and add value to your profile.
