Long gone are the days when cybersecurity and information security were just a “nice to have”, the fact is, it’s now mandatory. With cyberattacks on the rise, every organization has to have a robust cybersecurity infrastructure and a response plan to protect their data, systems, and networks. This means they’ll be looking for skilled cybersecurity professionals. In fact, the demand for people with this skill set has skyrocketed in recent years.
According to the Boston Consulting Group (BSG) “Protecting digital assets has increased the ranks of the world’s cybersecurity workforce to 7.1 million, but another 2.8 million jobs remain unfilled”. Great news if you’re interested in getting into this field. And this is where online cybersecurity certifications come into play.
If you’re already into this field and would like to enhance your career, or are considering getting into it, a certification can give you an edge by validating your skills and demonstrating your commitment to the field. But with the many certifications available, which one do you choose? In this article, we’ll explore why certifications matter, help you identify your career path, and guide you in selecting the certification that suits your goals. So let’s get to it!
Cybersecurity is a field that’s constantly changing, today there’s a particular threat then next week there is another, so staying up to date on the latest threats is a must. Employers need professionals who can keep up with these changes.
As I’ve said before, cybersecurity is in high demand, and success in this field can lead to a well rewarded career. When you earn a certification from a recognized body, you are showing your employer, or would-be employer, your commitment to stay ahead of the curve in the cybersecurity world. Let’s now take a look at some advantages of earning a reputable certification:
Career Advancement
When I was starting out in this field, there weren’t a lot of certifications available, but times have changed, and there are now numerous certifications with a broad range of disciplines within the field of cybersecurity.
These certifications are often a prerequisite for many cybersecurity roles, as they demonstrate to employers that you have the technical expertise and industry knowledge required to tackle real-world security challenges. For example:
Entry-Level Roles: A certification like CompTIA Security+ equips you with foundational skills, opening doors to roles such as Security Analyst or IT Support Specialist. This certification is valid for 3 years from the moment you take the exam.
Advanced Roles: Certifications like CISSP can propel you into leadership positions, such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and help you earn a much higher salary. This certification is also valid for 3 years.
Credibility and Trust
Certifications are trusted by clients and employers as an impartial measure of your abilities. Having a certification from a reputable organization such as EC-Council, CompTIA, or (ISC)2 indicates your proficiency and dedication to career advancement in the field of cybersecurity.
Flexibility of Online Certifications
Online cybersecurity certification programs offer many advantages over attending a physical class. For one thing, and perhaps most importantly, is the cost. Online programs generally cost less than traditional in-person training programs. And since the programs are online, it also makes it easier for busy professionals to improve their skills, allowing them to learn at their own pace, and access resources from virtually anywhere in the world.
Understanding Your Career Goals in Cybersecurity
So you’re all ready to head into your first certification, but hold on a bit. Have you decided what area in cybersecurity you’re interested in? There are many jobs in cybersecurity, comprising a range of disciplines, and figuring out which one fits your interests will help you make the right choice. Here are a few areas to help you make your decision:
Ethical Hacking
Ethical hacking, or as some in cybersecurity prefer to say, penetration testing, involves identifying vulnerabilities in systems before cybercriminals can exploit them. Certifications like CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) teach you how to think like a hacker and protect against threats.
Key Roles: Penetration Tester, Red Team Specialist.
Network Security
Network security is a very popular area in cybersecurity and focuses on ensuring that data flows securely across systems and preventing any unauthorized access. Certifications like CompTIA Security+ provide foundational knowledge in this area, making it ideal for beginners.
Key Roles: Network Administrator, Security Administrator.
Incident Response
Every organization should have an incident response plan in the event that they come under attack. If you’re the kind of person who likes managing a crisis situation and mitigating the damage from breaches, then you could consider incident response.
Advanced certifications like CISSP prepare you for leadership roles where you’ll handle critical situations and provide responses to protect the organization.
Key Roles: Incident Response Manager, Risk Analyst.
Cloud Security
With businesses moving away from traditional in-house server rooms to cloud computing, securing cloud environments has become a priority. Certifications like Amazon’s AWS Certified Security – Specialty Certification – are designed for IT professionals focusing on cloud-based infrastructure.
Key Roles: Cloud Security Architect, Cloud Engineer.
Getting to know these career paths helps you choose a certification that really fits your long-term goals.
Types of Online Cybersecurity Certifications
I touched on a few certifications in the previous sections, let’s now take a closer look at some of the most popular cybersecurity certifications. Like I mentioned before, having an idea of which discipline in cybersecurity you’re interested in helps to make your decision a bit simpler. It’s also important to note that cybersecurity certifications are generally structured to suit professionals at different stages of their careers.
Entry-Level Certifications
CompTIA Security+
- A globally recognized vendor-neutral certification.
- Covers basic security practices, risk management, and incident response.
- Perfect for those starting their cybersecurity journey.
Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
- Affordable and beginner-friendly.
- Offers practical experience with tools and techniques through hands-on labs.
Intermediate Certifications
CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
- Focuses on ethical hacking or penetration testing methodologies.
- Suitable for professionals with some experience in penetration testing.
Advanced Certifications
CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
- Known as the gold standard for leadership roles.
- Covers security architecture, operations, and risk management.
AWS Certified Security – Specialty
- Specializes in securing cloud environments.
- Focuses on encryption, compliance, and monitoring.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Certification
When it’s time for you to choose the right certification, there are several factors you should consider. You must ensure that these factors meet with not only your professional needs, but your personal needs as well. Let’s take a look at a few factors to help you with your decision.
Accreditation and Recognition
Always select certifications that are from reputable organizations like CompTIA, AWS, and (ISC)². Getting a certification from an accredited and recognized body increases your chances of gaining employment as well as moving up the ladder, as these credentials are widely respected and recognized globally.
Relevance to Industry Trends
Cybersecurity is always changing, so select a certification that’s relevant to your area of expertise. Certifications like AWS Certified Security are relevant for cloud security, while CEH addresses ethical hacking—both of which are highly sought-after skills.
Cost vs. ROI
Certifications are an investment. Consider:
- Affordable Options: CompTIA Security+ (~$392) offers foundational skills at a reasonable cost.
- Premium Options: CEH (~$1,200) provides specialized training that can lead to higher-paying roles.
Prices are at the time of this writing, check the certification’s website for up-to-date pricing.
Learning Format
Self-paced courses like the Google Cybersecurity Certificate offer flexibility, while instructor-led sessions like those for CEH provide structured guidance.
Comparing Popular Online Cybersecurity Certifications
If you’re now starting out in the field, it’s understandable to feel a bit overwhelmed. When deciding which online cybersecurity certification to pursue, it’s essential to evaluate your career goals, technical skills, and the value each certification provides.
So with that in mind, I’ll go a bit deeper into some of the most sought-after certifications, examining their unique benefits, target audiences, and career outcomes, and pricing. Please note, pricing is at the time of writing, check the official websites for the most up-to-date pricing.
Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate
Platform: Offered through Coursera.
Cost: $39/month (subscription-based).
Target Audience: Beginners who are new to cybersecurity and looking for an affordable and flexible entry point.
Key Features:
Comprehensive lessons covering essential topics like threat analysis, network security fundamentals, and endpoint protection.
You get access to hands-on labs and projects that simulate real-world scenarios, helping you build practical skills.
A focus on industry-relevant tools and techniques, such as detecting vulnerabilities and implementing basic security measures.
Career Outcomes:
This certification prepares you for entry-level roles like Security Analyst or IT Support Specialist.
It’s from Google, so it’s recognized by employers as a solid foundation for further cybersecurity learning.
This program is ideal for individuals seeking a low-cost yet effective way to test the waters in cybersecurity without committing to a hefty upfront investment.
CompTIA Security+
Platform: From the people that brought you classics like the Network+ and A+ certification, the Security+ is offered through CompTIA’s official site and learning platforms like Udemy or Cybrary, The CompTIA Security+ is valid for 3 years.
Cost: Approximately $392 for the exam, with additional costs for study materials or courses.
Target Audience: Great for entry-level professionals and those who want to transition into cybersecurity from other IT roles.
Key Features:
Vendor-neutral certification, meaning it’s not tied to any specific technology or platform, making it widely applicable.
Covers essential topics like cryptography, risk management, identity and access control, and incident response.
Approved by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) as part of their cybersecurity workforce training, impressive!
Career Outcomes:
Qualifies you for roles such as Security Administrator, Network Administrator, or Junior IT Security Specialist.
Globally recognized and often a prerequisite for more advanced certifications.
CompTIA Security+ is an excellent starting point for those looking to gain foundational knowledge in cybersecurity while keeping future career options open.
CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
Platform: Managed by (ISC)², with preparation materials available through providers like Cybrary and Simplilearn.
Cost: $749 for the exam, plus additional costs for study guides and training courses.
Target Audience: This certification is geared to more experienced professionals with at least five years of experience in the field.
Key Features:
Focuses on advanced topics like security architecture, risk management, governance, and compliance.
Requires deep expertise, as the exam tests knowledge across eight domains of cybersecurity (e.g., Security Operations, Asset Security, and Software Development Security).
Recognized as a gold standard for leadership and management roles in cybersecurity.
Career Outcomes:
Positions such as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Security Manager, or Senior Security Consultant.
CISSP holders are among the highest-paid professionals in the industry.
CISSP is ideal for experienced professionals aspiring to senior-level roles, and is a testament to one’s expertise in managing complex security frameworks. At this level, your expertise increases and so does your salary.
CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)
Platform: Offered by EC-Council through training platforms like Simplilearn, Pluralsight, and Cybrary.
Cost: Training and exam packages start around $1,200, with premium training sessions costing more.
Target Audience: Intermediate to advanced learners specializing in penetration testing or ethical hacking.
Key Features:
Teaches you how to think like a hacker while adhering to ethical guidelines.
Covers tools, methodologies, and techniques used to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in systems.
Includes hands-on labs that simulate real-world scenarios, such as launching phishing attacks or analyzing malware.
Career Outcomes:
Roles such as Penetration Tester, Red Team Specialist, or Vulnerability Analyst.
Recognized globally as a top certification for ethical hacking.
For individuals fascinated by offensive security, CEH provides a focused pathway into understanding and countering hacking tactics.
AWS Certified Security – Specialty
Platform: Offered directly by Amazon’s AWS, with additional training resources available through third-party providers like A Cloud Guru and Udemy.
Cost: $300 for the exam, with optional training resources costing extra.
Target Audience: Great for IT professionals focusing on cloud security or managing AWS environments.
Key Features:
Focuses on securing AWS workloads, including data encryption, threat detection, identity management, and compliance monitoring.
Includes advanced topics like security automation, penetration testing in cloud environments, and application security in AWS.
Designed to complement other AWS certifications, such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect.
Career Outcomes:
Positions like Cloud Security Architect, Cloud Engineer, or DevOps Security Specialist.
Highly valued in organizations adopting cloud technologies.
AWS Certified Security – Specialty is indispensable for IT professionals specializing in cloud security, particularly as more companies migrate to AWS infrastructure.
How to Compare These Certifications
I know I touched on this before, but what the heck, here’s a bit more detail about the factors to keep in mind when choosing your cybersecurity certifications.
Relevance to Career Goals
Match certifications to your desired career path. If, for example, you intend to get into penetration testing, pick the CEH. If you’re just starting out, foundational programs like Google Cybersecurity Certificate or CompTIA Security+ would be a good choice. For leadership roles, advanced options like CISSP are more appropriate.
Cost and ROI
The old saying: “You pay for what you get” holds true for certifications. While certifications like CEH or CISSP may have higher upfront costs, they often lead to roles with significantly higher salaries. Entry-level certifications, on the other hand, are more cost-effective for beginners, and corresponding salaries tend to be lower.
Learning Format
Everyone learns differently, whether you prefer self-paced learning like Google Cybersecurity Certificate or structured, instructor-led sessions like CEH, CISSP. Your learning style and schedule should dictate your choice.
Industry Recognition
Certifications like CISSP and CEH are recognized globally and carry significant weight among employers. Ensure the certification you choose is respected within your target industry or region.
Why This Matters
Each of these certifications offers unique benefits, but as mentioned many times before, the key is to align your choice with your career goals. Whether you’re a beginner looking to break into cybersecurity or an experienced professional seeking advanced credentials, there’s a certification tailored to your needs.
Resources for Preparing for Certification Exams
Taking the course is all great, but you have to pass the exams to be awarded the certification. So proper preparation is vital for passing cybersecurity exams, or any exam for that matter. You can use the following resources:
- Official Study Guides: Study guides were invaluable when I was studying, and study guides are available from certification bodies like CompTIA.
- Practice Exams: Practice makes perfect. Sites like Whizlabs and Udemy offer mock tests.
- Community Forums: Join LinkedIn groups or Reddit discussions to learn from peers.
Investing time in these cybersecurity training programs can significantly boost your chances of success.
Tips for Maximizing Your Certification Benefits
When you’ve invested your money, studied hard, and have been awarded your certification, here’s how to make the most of it:
- Network: Connect with professionals at conferences and on LinkedIn.
- Stay Updated: Renew certifications like CISSP to stay relevant.
- Upskill: Progress from entry-level to advanced certifications to enhance your expertise.
These steps ensure your certification has a long-term impact on your career.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking about starting a career in cybersecurity, or you’re already in it and would like to advance yourself to a senior role, earning an online cybersecurity certification is one of the smartest moves you can make to advance your career. These certifications can validate your skills and open doors to many exciting opportunities. So what are you waiting for? Get that certification!
Quick Recap
- Define your career goals to align certifications with your aspirations.
- Evaluate programs based on accreditation, cost, and relevance.
- Prepare effectively using guides, exams, and forums.
Which certification are you excited to pursue? Let us know!
