ChrunosBest Certifications for Cyber Security in 2022 - Beginners Guide
Whether you want to boost your income, get improvement in on-the-job performance, or stand out from the crowd in an interview, an in-demand certification will be your quickest route. According to an IDC report, 96% of HR managers see certification as a requirement, for candidates to get a foot in the door. Besides, if you want to learn from the industry leaders, gain the most practical skills aligned with the latest trends and techniques, being certificated is also a good choice.
Following are some Highest-Paying cyber security certifications. Some are perfect starting points for you to get into cybersecurity with ZERO no experience, while others aim for higher objectives and rewards. Let’s get right to the point: the job prospects, what type of salary it will yield, and how difficult it is to pass the exam.
Table of Content
- Security+ (Entry-Level)
- GSEC (Cyber defense)
- CEH (White Hat Hacking)
- CISSP (Security Managers)
- CISM (Security Auditors)
- CISA (Highest Pay)
Security+
How Much Can I Make with a CompTIA Security+ Certification If I have no experience?
$72,171 - $111,691
(Data from Coursera.org)
Security+ is definitely a springboard, if you want to open the door to your cybersecurity career. It has no prerequisites. Getting the cybersecurity certification demonstrates that you are ready for solving a wide range of today’s complex cyber security issues. The knowledge of it covers most of today’s cyber security certificate jobs roles, as the exam objective is to empower you with cybersecurity basics and inner logic.
GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)
How Much Can I Make with a GSEC cybersecurity certificate?
$79,709 - $135,715
(Data from Coursera.org)
If you are looking for something more practical, in a vertical subdivision of cybersecurity, for example, Cyber Defense, or you want some tangible skills in depth rather than just studying concepts, GSEC is your best choice. Say, you are a SOC analyst who wants to improve yourself in the field, GSEC will be the next cyber security cert for you, to target after passing Security+. You will be qualified for hands-on IT systems jobs relating to security tasks then. BTW, GSEC is an open-book exam, well-known inside the InfoSec community. Entry-level, of course.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
How Much Can I Make with a CEH cybersecurity certificate?
An average of $182,214
(Data from comparably.com)
For those who have a strong and pure intent to explore, or own Insights into the cyber-world, CEH is attractive.
It opens up a myriad of career opportunities for you. Known as white hat hacking, more and more employers see CEH as a high level certification for cyber security, for the ever-increasing demand for CEH due to the expanding cloud tech solutions. It’s one of the best certs for cyber security certifications.
Wanna be another James MacLean? Master Ethics first. (Promise me do not spend the rest of your life in prison) Don’t be too excited about it, because pursuing a career in ethical hacking demands an ever-evolving spirit. You have to update your knowledge with the continuously changing trend. Here is the all-in-one exam guide, if you want to know the entire process of becoming a certified ethical hacker.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
How Much Can I Make from cyber security certificate jobs with a CISSP?
An average of $125,470
(Data from ZipRecruiter)
Wanna become a manager, handle teams without handling the technical aspects of cybersecurity, say, work as a security manager? Then you should definitely go for CISSP. Focusing on the management side, CISSP is very much respected in the industry. It’s a bonus for all IT jobs. A lonely CISSP certification is absolutely enough for getting employment as it shows that you have experienced a large area of Cybersecurity.
However, the 6-hour exam is terribly grueling. Don’t take CISSP into consideration unless you want to sacrifice your sleep, parties, and even relationships for at least 4 months, even though the end result is worth it. According to a study by the International Data Corporation, the rate at which CISSP professionals receive salary, hikes far outpaces that for any other domain, in the cyber security certificate jobs field.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
How Much Can I Make with a CISM Certification?
An average of $132,919
(Data from globalknowledge.com)
CISM is also for those who take the management line (not technical). However, it differs from CISSP with regard to the focus.
“the CISSP is about your KNOWLEDGE of infosec, while the CISM is about your WISDOM.” CISM is a good choice if you want to be a security auditor. Although it means heavy studying and lots of practice, you can customize practices specific to a company, and work anywhere across the globe, after getting the cyber security certification online.
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
How Much Can I Make with a CISA Certification?
An average of $132,278
(Data from isaca.org)
Known as one of the 4 highest-paying best certs for cyber security in the world, CISA is for careerists who audit the practices of the aforementioned career folks.
“In a World Full of Auditors, be a CISA". You’ll audit, control, and provide security of information systems for a multitude of industries throughout the business and IT sectors. It helps you to gain instant credibility in your interactions with internal stakeholders, regulators, external auditors, and customers. If you want, build a world-class team. It takes usually 3 to 4 months to fully prepare yourself for the CISA exam if you have a background in IT.
Get interview calls from recruiters now? Register for the exam or start from the beginning by checking this All-in-One Exam Guide.
*All of these cyber security certifications overlap in knowledge and concept. That is to say, you can lay a good foundation by taking the well-reviewed IBM Cybersecurity Analyst course online, which is an 8-course program provided by IBM Security Learning Services, suitable for both learners entering the workforce and professionals switching careers. You can register for one of the courses to start building job-ready skills for an in-demand role in the field.
Refund is allowed within 2 weeks.
Cyber Security Certifications Or Master Degree?
It’s always a problem to choose from cyber security certs vs degrees. Many working professionals get a certificate rather than a degree to fuel a promotion in their current jobs, but if you have enough time and you have a pure intent to learn knowledge, a master’s degree will be helpful for your whole life career (not just for a job). Get a master’s degree online provided by Georgia Tech to give your profile a huge leg up and find out your own Cybersecurity certification path.