7 Cybersecurity Certifications for IT Pros to Uplevel Career in Security

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of businesses all over the globe. While cybersecurity has always been an organizational focus, it will be even more given the work from home trend. The surge in remote work has forced CISOs to review long-term cybersecurity Opens a new window strategy and rethink the basic security principles, such as maintaining compliance, incident response playbook, keeping software updated and putting down clear policies for employees and third parties.

According to a CyberVista reportOpens a new window , cybersecurity jobs were already in high demand before the outbreak. A cybersecurity workforce study by (ISC)2Opens a new window estimates the global cybersecurity workforce needs to grow by 145%. Meanwhile, Burning Glass report estimates cloud security (170%) and Internet of Things (140%) are expected to be the fastest-growing cybersecurity skills over the next five years. In the current scenario, organizations need security expertise for manning network and cloud security, incident handling and response, audit and compliance, SIEM management, and more. Talking about buzzing security certifications, Topcoder CEO Michael Morris told ToolboxOpens a new window that Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) achievement is still a top certification in the market.

We list down top 7 cybersecurity certifications to make a headstart in this buzzing domain:

1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

CISSP is an independent information security certification offered by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium also known as (ISC)². The CISSP curriculum covers subject matter in a variety of information security and cybersecurity topics such as security risk and management, asset security, security architectureOpens a new window , and engineering and identity access management (IAM), among others.

Syllabus covered: The CISSP syllabus is divided up into eight parts and covers Security and Risk Management, Asset Security, Security Architecture and Engineering, Communication and Network Security, Identity and Access Management (IAM), Security Assessment and Testing, Security Operations and Software Development Security.

Job outlook post completion: Security consultants, Security managers, Security analysts, Security systems engineers, Network architects, Security architects, IT directors and managers, Directors of security, Chief information security officers and Security auditors

Average salary: $112k (according to PayscaleOpens a new window )

Learn More: Top 10 In-Demand Cybersecurity Jobs in the Age of CoronavirusOpens a new window

2. Certified Ethical Hacker

The CEH programOpens a new window is a comprehensive ethical hacking course to help InfoSec professionals grasp the fundamentals of ethical hacking. Ethical hackers are in great demand to combat security vulnerabilities hackers use to break into enterprise networks. This certification covers baselines and advanced skills required to thwart attacks.

Syllabus covered: Hacking, Footprinting, Reconnaissance, Vulnerability Analysis, Malware Threats, Sniffing, Social Engineering, Denial-of-Service, Evading IDS, Firewalls, and Honeypots, SQL Injection, Hacking Wireless Networks, Mobile Platforms, and IoT

Job outlook post completion: Penetration tester, Product security ethical hacker, Security consultant, Site administrator

Average salary: $71,331 (according to INFOSECOpens a new window )

3. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is a certification that is offered by ISACA which helps in validating and hone the skills and expertise in information security management. This certification helps in learning and planning information securityOpens a new window programs and practices which prevent security breaches and quickly mitigate damage should a breach occur.

Syllabus covered: Information security governance, information risk management and compliance, information security program development and management, information security incident management

Job outlook post completion: Operations Consulting, Systems Development, Systems and Infrastructure, Internal Auditing, Information and Privacy Risk Consultant

Average salary: $125k (according to PayscaleOpens a new window )

4. CCIE Security certification

One of the most in-demand certifications in the industry, Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Security (CCIE Security) requires a baseline knowledge of network security. If you want to become a part of CCIE ranks, this certification provides a solid foundation for beginning a career in network security. While there are no requisites for this certification, Cisco Opens a new window recommends prior experience in designing and optimizing security technologies.

Syllabus covered: Topics include network lifecycle and end-to-end skills for IT infrastructure

Job outlook post completion: Network engineer, Network architect

Average salary: Average salary starts at $71,735 (according to IndeedOpens a new window )

Learn More: Beginner’s Guide to Network Detection & Response (NDR) Opens a new window

5. Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator Certification

The CHFI certification helps the candidates to identify an intruder’s footprints and to collect evidence for initiating legal action. In the past, system administrators and law enforcement personnel have taken up this certification to advance in the cybersecurity domain.

Syllabus covered: Forensics investigation process, defeating anti-forensics techniques, data acquisition and duplication, network forensics, investigating web attacksOpens a new window , database forensics, cloud forensics, malware forensics and mobile forensics.

Job outlook post completion: Information security analyst, Cyber security analyst, Security engineer

Average salary: $91k (according to PayscaleOpens a new window )

Learn More: What to Do If You’re Hit by RansomwareOpens a new window

6. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)

Another highly sought after certification, the CASP+Opens a new window certification is ideal for cybersecurity technical professionals who want to transition to consultant or managerial job roles and grab bigger paychecks. This certification is meant for practitioners in the IT security field and proves a person has reached an advanced level in enterprise security operations and architecture and wishes to advance existing skills and knowledge.

Syllabus covered: Enterprise security domain, including operations and architecture concepts, risk analysis through interpreting trend data, anticipating cyber defense, mobile and small-form factor devices, software vulnerabilityOpens a new window , cloud and virtualization technologies, enterprise architecture, implementing cryptographic techniques like blockchain, cryptocurrency and mobile device encryption

Job outlook post certification: Security architect, Security engineer, Technical lead analyst, Application security engineer

Average salary: $87k (according to PayscaleOpens a new window )

7. Certified Encryption Specialist (ECES)

The EC-Council Certified Encryption Specialist (ECES) program is geared towards professionals and students who are interested in deploying encryption technologies. Students get to grips with the foundations of modern symmetric cryptography and the program deep dives into algorithms such as Feistel Networks, DES, and AES. The hands-on certification also covers much-talked about modern day cryptographic algorithms such as AES and RSA. This certification is a good fit for anyone involved in the selection and implementation of VPSs or digital certificates. Besides, it also helps understand how to apply the best encryption standard for your organization.

Syllabus covered: Overview of algorithms like Blowfish, Twofish, Skipjack, MD5, MD6, SHA, Gost, RIPMD 256, and others, Asymmetric cryptography, diffusion, confusion, and Kerkchoff’s principle, steganography, modern-day algorithms like AES and RSA.

Job outlook post certification: Penetration Testers, Computer Forensic Specialists, Information Systems Security Manager, Security Specialist

Average salary: Average salary starts at $115k (according to LeaderquestOpens a new window )

Are there other cybersecurity certifications you wish to add to the list? Comment below or let us know on LinkedInOpens a new window , TwitterOpens a new window , or FacebookOpens a new window . We’d love to hear from you!