7 top security certifications

This list is a good place to start if you are an IT security professional looking for certifications to enhance your competencies and hone your skills.

With so many different specializations and certifications available in this industry, it can seem daunting to choose the one that best fits your career needs and goals. Below are some of the best options for rewarding your career path, learning new skills, and improving your ability to defend your network and strengthen your digital assets against various threats.

There is always a need to acquire new skills in this area, so you need to ensure that your next training milestone passes your security certification. This proves your knowledge in a particular area and can make you more attractive to potential employers for your next professional career.

Here are his 7 most popular certifications to get in 2022.

1. CompTIA Security+ (SY0-601)

One of the most popular entry exams is the CompTIA Security+ certification. Vendor-agnostic security certifications create the foundational knowledge needed for any cybersecurity role. Many see Security+ as a stepping stone to intermediate-level certifications for a wide range of roles.

Security+ has 5 domains – 1. Attacks, Threats & Vulnerabilities (24%), 2. Architecture and Design (21%), 3. Implementation (25%), 4. Operations and Incident Response (16%), 5. Governance, Risk and Compliance (14%) – These are the things candidates must master It is and will prove to be of value. For future information security professionals.

• Prerequisites: A CompTIA Network+ certification and two years of systems administration with a security focus are preferred but not required.
• Exam: Maximum of 90 multiple-choice and performance-based questions, 90 minutes long. The passing score is 750 on a scale of 100 to 900.
• Cost for the exam: USD 381 registration fee.

Candidates who achieve Security+ are guaranteed to recoup their initial investment. Security+ is the world's most popular cybersecurity certification, with over 500,000 credential holders who typically earn high salaries.

CompTIA Security+ meets the requirements of ISO 17024 standards and DoD Directive 8570.01-M to provide candidates with the opportunity to serve in government positions. This excellent entry-level cybersecurity certification is worth a look for those new to the world of information security.

2. EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEHv11)

The Certified Ethical Hacker certification focuses on hacking techniques and techniques from an offensive perspective. It is structured to test the candidate's skills in realistic scenarios. Certificate holders can proactively test the security of their networks from the inside or simulate an intruder from the outside.

EC-Councils' C|EH is one of the industry's most coveted ethical hacking certifications due to its hands-on approach. Candidates learn the latest hacking tools and techniques for legally hacking organizations and identifying security vulnerabilities.

• Prerequisites: Candidates must attend official training or have at least two years of information security-related experience.
• Exam: 125 multiple-choice questions with four hours to complete; to pass, cut scores can range from 60% to 85%.
• Cost for the Exam: Pearson VUE (312-50) voucher is $1199 and ECC EXAM (312-50) voucher is $950.

CEH is one of the most popular entry-level aggressive security certifications. It is versatile as it determines different security positions depending on the skills of the CEH holder. This is due to the hands-on nature of this security certification, which provides learners with several solid foundations including information security threats and attack vectors, attack detection, attack prevention, procedures, methodologies, and more. This is a good starting point for security-her professionals seeking hands-on knowledge of penetration testing and ethical hacking before moving on to more advanced certifications.

3. (ISC)² Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The CISSP is one of the maximum reputable and asked cybersecurity certifications, however it is now no longer entry-level. Hiring managers regularly use the CISSP as a benchmark as it calls for each passing a hard take-a-look at an on-the-activity experience. Earning a CISSP certification suggests that you recognize a way to design, engineer, and enforce records protection structures withinside the workplace.

CISSP is in high demand and recognized worldwide. Earning a certification opens many avenues that can take your cybersecurity career to the next level.

• Prerequisites: Candidates should have at least 5 years of cumulative paid paintings reveling in or extra of the 8 domain names of the CISSP CBK. Those who do not have the specified paintings revel in can fulfill a part of it with the CISSP revel in a waiver. Another alternative for the ones without an appropriate painting revel is to take the examination and earn a partner of (ISC)2 designation. Candidates will then have six years to earn the specified paintings revel in for the CISSP.
• Test: 125 to 175 multiple-choice items and highly innovative items, up to 4 hours for his CAT version in English. A score of 700 out of 1000 is required to pass. The CISSP Linear Exam Information contains 250 multiple-choice and advanced innovative questions that take up to 6 hours to complete. Available in Chinese, German, Korean, Japanese, and Spanish.
• Exam fee: $749 in all regions except the UK (£585) and Europe (€665). This exam is administered by (ISC)2 accredited PPC and PVTC Select Pearson VUE Testing Centers.

Earning a CISSP is a great way to climb the IT career ladder and increase your earning potential. It is a good option for professionals who want to validate their expertise in a wide range of fields and obtain a globally recognized certification.

4. ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Not all cybersecurity roles are purely technical. CISM teaches valuable management skills with a focus on information security. This is an area where assurance and risk management are an important part of the role requirements. It is based on safety management principles that are practical and essential to getting the job done.

This higher level of certification opens up many opportunities for career advancement. CISM is well suited for cybersecurity and IT security managers, but it is also ideal for information risk managers.

• Requirements: Over 5 years of professional experience in the field of information security management. However, you can be waived for up to two years if certain training or certification requirements are met.
• Exam: The test contains 150 multiple-choice questions and takes 4 hours to complete. Scores range from 200 to 800, with a score of 450 being the minimum score. The exam covers his four areas of professional practice known as knowledge areas or domains. Exams can be taken online using remote monitoring or in person at a testing center.
• Exam Fee: $575 for ISACA members, and $760 for non-ISACA members.

If you're already in a management position, this certification can give you the credibility you need for promotions and pay raises. This is another internationally recognized certification that is in high demand by organizations that focus on the security and processes necessary to maintain compliance and safety in their IT environment.

5. ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

CISA focuses on skills that enable candidates to audit, control, and monitor information technology and business systems. This security certification is a good step for any security professional who wishes to be certified as an internationally recognized standard for auditing and controlling systems. A certification demonstrates your ability to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of an organization's internal IT controls, policies, and regulations.

If you are a novice or young professional, CISA can demonstrate your ability to apply a risk-based approach to audit planning and execution.

• Requirements: Candidates should have five years of professional experience in the field, specifically performing duties related to information systems auditing, administration, security, or security.
• Test: A 150-question multiple-choice test lasts him four hours. Scores range from 200 to 800, with a grade of 450 required to pass.
• Exam fee: $575 for ISACA members, and $760 for non-ISACA members.

This valuable certification is also ANSI certified and meets the requirements of DoD 8570 for IAT Level III and CSSP auditors. ISACA's CISA can also qualify you for high-paying jobs.

6. (ISC)² Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

Having a CCSP is important because cybersecurity challenges change daily in the cloud.

(ISC)²'s CCSP certification assures employers that candidates have advanced technical knowledge and skills to design, manage, and secure data, applications, and infrastructure in the cloud. increase.

• Requirements: Candidate must have at least 5 years of IT experience full-time. This includes his 3 years in Information Security and his 1 or more of his 6 disciplines in his CCSP CBK for 1 year.
• Test: Time limit for the exam, which includes 150 multiple-choice questions, is 4 hours. A passing score is 700 out of 1000. Tests are available in English, Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish.
• Exam fee: The exam fee is $599 per exam and is administered by Pearson VUE.

This certification helps candidates demonstrate their knowledge of cloud architecture, day-to-day operations, application security considerations, and more. The CCSP certification is a good fit for those looking for roles in cloud-based environments.

7. GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)

The GSEC is an entry-level certificate suitable for candidates with limited security and networking backgrounds who want to prove their knowledge.

Anyone working in security-critical IT roles can benefit from this certification. This certification validates her skills related to IT security tasks in real life.

• Requirements: None
• Test: It consists of an open-book exam of 106-180 questions. Candidates are allowed 4-5 hours. The pass rate is 73%. The exam is web-based and requires remote proctoring by ProctorU and onsite proctoring by PearsonVUE.
• Exam fee: $949 for the GSEC certification trial and two practice exams.

This certification is another option if you are looking to certify your information security experience and knowledge, or if potential employers are looking at your resume or CV and want to improve your practical skills. Excellent choice.