The modern world that we are living in is highly
interconnected, thanks to the internet revolution and digitalization. With 2.5
quintillion bytes of data created daily and an immeasurable amount in
circulation, data breaches and cyber-attacks are also increasing at an alarming
rate. As a result, securing cyberspace from such malicious attacks and
protecting our valuable data has become the need of the hour. Whether we like
to admit it or not, everyone can contribute to cybersecurity.
According to CyberSeek, a cybersecurity analytics portal
developed in collaboration between Lightcast, National Institute of Standards
and Technology's NICE, and CompTIA , the United States requires 530,000 more
cybersecurity specialists to close existing supply gaps and employers are
struggling to find workers who possess them. For people wishing to advance
their cybersecurity careers or enter into the sector, earning a Cyber Security Certification
is an excellent approach to creating a practical understanding of how to guard
against security threats while also helping you accelerate your career graph in
a positive direction by building credibility.
What is a cyber security certification, and Why should you pursue one?
Due to the fact that they are offered by accredited
organizations that follow and uphold a set of industry-accepted standards,
cybersecurity certifications are widely recognized credentials that serve as an
industry-accepted benchmark for your in-depth knowledge of addressing problems
like hacking and cyberattacks. Your ability to execute security procedures and
measures to protect corporate privacy is also confirmed by certification. By
confirming your knowledge and competence and proving to recruiters that you are
in line with industry norms, obtaining internationally recognized
certifications will help you stand out from the crowd of other experts in your
sector.
IT professionals can also benefit by gaining access to
extensive training modules and exam study materials by gaining certifications.
Cybersecurity certificates of various types, ranging from the most basic to
highly advanced, are widely available and can improve your knowledge and
abilities. However, regardless of your educational or professional experience,
the first step to take before achieving the right certification is to determine
your goals and create a checklist of things you must do to advance your
cybersecurity knowledge and expertise. Entry-level certificates are an
excellent place to start if you are just getting started and unclear on how to
enter cybersecurity. Similarly, certifications can assist you in achieving that
aim by bolstering your cybersecurity CV if you are looking for a more advanced
position with a better cybersecurity wage.
The top cybersecurity certifications
The field of cyber security is developing at an unheard-of
rate, with a steady influx of new tools and techniques to counter
cyber-attacks. As a result, to stay up to date and defend against new threats,
cybersecurity experts must keep studying. The easiest method to do this is with
cyber security certifications. Although the majority of cybersecurity
professionals hold at least a bachelor's degree in computer science, many
employers prefer candidates who also possess a certification to show that they
are knowledgeable about industry best practices. There are many certifications
available, ranging from beginner to expert and vendor-specific. Vendors like
Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle, CompTIA, and others offer certifications to advance
the skills and understanding of persons working in information security, in
addition to private institutions. For instance, the MIT SCC at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology provides a top-notch postgraduate degree
in cyber security that will help you stay up to date on all the most recent
developments in the field and give you the skills you need. The best cyber security bootcamp, from entry-level to advanced/specialist levels, are listed here.
1. CompTIA Security+ certification
This well-known foundational certification validates your
aptitude for entry-level cybersecurity jobs, making it the first credential
that any aspiring or new cybersecurity practitioner should obtain. It provides
a review of the fundamentals and aids in determining a candidate's
understanding of key information security topics. Among the security and
information assurance topics covered are network security, threats and
vulnerabilities, security architecture and design, access controls,
cryptography, governance, risk, and compliance, and the principles of risk
management.
2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
For those interested
in a career as a penetration tester or ethical hacker, the Certified Ethical
Hacker certification is the one you should get. It is the world's top ethical
hacking certification, provided by the EC-Council, and is considered the gold
standard in the business. A four-hour knowledge exam with 125 multiple-choice
questions and a six-hour practical exam with 20 scenario-based questions make
up the exam's two portions. It focuses on preparing IT professionals for
enterprise-level security responsibilities, such as testing and identifying
vulnerabilities in a company's systems and networks, through a 20-module
course. The modules include:
¢ Introduction to ethical hacking
¢ Footprinting and reconnaissance
¢ Scanning networks
¢ Enumeration
¢ Vulnerability analysis
¢ System hacking
¢ Malware threats
¢ Social engineering
¢ Session hijacking
¢ Hacking web servers
¢ SQL injection
¢ Hacking wireless networks and many
more.
3. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) by ISACA
The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
designation from the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
was created especially for IT professionals looking to advance to management
positions. It is a high-level certification that demonstrates the holder has
the skills and knowledge required to oversee security agents and
enterprise-level software applications and to contribute to the development of
a company's overall security strategy.
The exam covers the following topics:
¢ Information security governance
¢ Information security risk management
¢ Incident management
4. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) by (ISC)²
Anyone wishing to grow in their profession and improve their
cybersecurity abilities may consider earning the CISSP, an advanced
certification offered by The International Systems Security Certification
Consortium (ISC2). For seasoned security practitioners, managers, and
executives interested in software development security, this top-tier
certification is known as the world's leading cybersecurity credential. Your
ability to design, carry out, and oversee a top-notch cyber security program is
acknowledged by the CISSP.
It is intended for Chief Information Security Officers,
Directors of Security, Executives, Managers of Information Technology, and
Cybersecurity Professionals with at least Five Years of Professional
Experience. Following are the eight domains covered in the exam:
¢ 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
¢ Software Development Security
5. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)
The CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)
certification is a high-level cybersecurity credential for advanced
practitioners who are not yet managers, like security architects and senior
security engineers, who are in charge of assessing an enterprise's cyber
readiness as well as creating and implementing the right solutions that can
guarantee the company's security. It confirms your advanced skills, which are
necessary to direct the implementation of frameworks and rules that managers
routinely enforce.
Skills acquired include:
¢ Security architecture
¢ Security operations
¢ Governance, risk, and compliance
¢ Security engineering and cryptography
6. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) by ISACA
The gold standard for professionals interested in auditing,
managing, and monitoring an organization's IT and business systems is the
Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA) certification, which is offered
by ISACA.
The training and exam cover areas such as Information
systems and auditing process; Governance and management of IT; Information
systems operations and business resilience; Protection of information assets;
Information systems acquisition, development, and implementation.
