The education industry is exploding and there are several players offering cybersecurity certification programs claiming to be the best in the industry. But which are the most recognized certifications by companies?
Whether you are looking to learn new cybersecurity skills, enhance your existing cybersecurity knowledge, or want to enhance your credibility, cybersecurity certifications can help you achieve these goals and boost your cybersecurity career. These are the credentials that validate your up-to-date cybersecurity knowledge and expertise, as well as demonstrate to employers that you are committed to this cybersecurity industry and lifelong learning.
Cybersecurity professionals who have recognized cybersecurity certifications under their belt can earn up to 40% higher salaries than their counterparts. Certifications also help to increase their chances of hiring.
The benefits of cybersecurity certifications are many. The real problem is finding the right certification programs that are recognized by companies and employers across different industries.
So, here let us check out some of the most popular and widely recognized certification programs.
1. Certified Cybersecurity General Practitioner (CCGP™)
If you are looking to learn and validate foundational cybersecurity skills then this Certified Cybersecurity General Practitioner (CCGP™), by the United States Cybersecurity Institute (USCSI®) is an excellent cybersecurity certification program to consider.
Designed by industry leaders and SMEs, this certification covers the fundamental concepts of cybersecurity and empowers graduate students and young professionals with the essential foundational knowledge to start their cybersecurity careers.
This self-paced online program that can be completed within 4-25 weeks also comes with high-quality resources including eBooks, lecture videos, and practice codes, to help you prepare for the exam.
The good thing about this certification from USCSI® is that after earning this certificate, you will naturally become eligible for their more advanced certification Certified Cybersecurity Consultant (CCC™). With USCSI®, applicants get easy renewal and recertification options, where paying a nominal fee and appearing for recertification/upgrade exam.
2. Network Security Certificate: Carroll Community College
This is one of the most popular and widely recognized certificate programs by Carroll Community College, Westminster, Maryland. Through this program, students can equip themselves with the foundational cybersecurity skills and knowledge required to make a successful career in computer network security.
Earning this certificate will also open doors for exciting cybersecurity roles ahead. In this program, you will learn about a wide range of cybersecurity topics like network fundamentals, security principles, intrusion detection, ethical hacking, and more.
Students also get hands-on experience through practical lab exercises and simulations. This is beneficial for students looking to apply the theoretical knowledge earned to real-world scenarios.
3. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is another globally recognized certification program for information security professionals. Employers give candidates a higher value who have this certification under their belt.
This course covers a wide range of security concepts including access control, asset security, network security engineering, etc. To clear this exam, you need to have a deep understanding of security principles and the best practices. Earning this cybersecurity certification also requires the candidates to complete a certain number of continuing education units (CEUs) every three years to maintain their certification.
Talking about the prerequisite, you need to have a minimum of 5 years of work experience in two or more of the eight CISSP domains.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity certifications are a great way to validate your experience and expertise in this domain. Earning a certification will profoundly enhance your credibility as a cybersecurity professional will help you get new cybersecurity jobs faster and also increase your chances of getting higher salaries. With so many certification courses and programs available in the market, offered by universities, vendor-neutral organizations, online educational platforms like Coursera, Udemy, etc., and even tech giants like Microsoft and Google. So, it becomes necessary to go for recognized certifications like the ones mentioned above.
FAQs
1. Do I need a cybersecurity certification to start my cybersecurity career?
Though not mandatory, cybersecurity certifications are important credentials that can help you validate your cybersecurity skills and expertise and demonstrate your commitment to lifelong learning.
2. Which are the best cybersecurity certification programs for beginners?
There are several beginner-level cybersecurity programs designed to impart foundational cybersecurity skills and knowledge such as:
· CompTIA Security+
· Certified Cybersecurity General Practitioner (CCGP™)
· AWS Certified Security-Specialty
· Azure Security Engineer Associate
These are recognized and credible among employers.
3. How much can I earn after earning a cybersecurity certification?
The salary of cybersecurity professionals depends upon a lot of factors like level of experience, location, profile, etc. To get an idea, the annual average salary of a network security analyst in the US is $99,400 (ZipRecruiter).
4. How are online cybersecurity programs different from traditional classroom certification courses?
Most of the online certification programs are self-paced. That means you can complete them on your own time and schedule without disturbing your normal routine. Also, you can complete them at your own pace within the stipulated course time.
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