In today’s digital times, where technology is widely used in our day-to-day lives, it is important to protect our sensitive information from cyber threats. Hence, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is rising.

Therefore, obtaining industry-recognized best cyber security certifications has become essential for career advancement. These certifications not only validate your expertise but also provide a structured pathway to gain the necessary knowledge and skills.

Whether you are a beginner looking to enter the field or an experienced professional aiming to improve your expertise, this article lists the 7 best cybersecurity certifications available.

We will explore each certification’s requirements, benefits, and the areas of knowledge they cover. Hence, this information will help you make the correct decision about which certification is most suitable for your career goals. So, let’s start!

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Top Cyber Security Certifications To Upskill Your Career

Below are a few of the beginner to advanced-level certifications that you may enroll in order to upskill your career.

1. CompTIA Security+

Cost of the course – $392

CompTIA Security+ is one of the most useful cyber security certifications for beginners interested in a career in cyber security. This certification helps students in learning about fundamental security procedures and functions. Hence, it has great global recognition.

With the help of this certification, you may discover how to evaluate an enterprise’s safety position and suggest solutions in the case of a breach. Also, you don’t need to have any prior IT expertise to pursue this beginner-level certification. The course includes the following subjects:

  • Threats, vulnerabilities, and attacks.
  • Design and architecture for security.
  • Implementation.
  • Operating and responding to incidents.
  • Risk, compliance, and governance.

CompTIA Security+

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2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Cost of the course – $950-$1,199

CEH – Certified Ethical Hacker is one of the top entry-level cyber security certifications. It enables students to learn about the various harmful risks to information systems.

Also, it is the most well-recognized ethical hacking certification. A CEH certification shows that you have specific knowledge, and are skilled with hackers’ tools. Also, it shows that you know how to spot loopholes in computer systems.

Although this certification is for beginners, it is necessary to have two years of prior IT experience before you can start the course. The modules consist of the following topics:

  • Reconnaissance and tracking.
  • Examining networks.
  • Enumeration.
  • Vulnerability study.
  • Hacking a system.
  • Malware risks.
  • Social engineering.
  • Hijacking a session.
  • Web Server hacking.
  • Mobile platform hacking.

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3. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Cost of the course – $749

CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional is one of the most renowned and best cyber security certifications. However, it is not an entry-level certification.

This certification requires both passing a difficult test and hands-on expertise. So, the CISSP is frequently used as a benchmark by hiring managers. Obtaining a CISSP certification shows your expertise in designing, engineering, and implementing information security systems in your job.

Moreover, the CISSP is highly competitive and well-known around the world. It requires five or more years of experience; it is definitely not for beginners.

Additionally, once you have the certification, you will have a lot of options available that can advance your cybersecurity career. The following eight domains are covered in this course:

  • Risk and security management.
  • Asset Protection.
  • Security engineering and architecture.
  • Network security and communication.
  • IAM, or Identity and Access Management.
  • Security testing and evaluation.
  • Operations for security.
  • Security in Software Development.

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4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Cost of the course – $575 for members; $760 for non-members

Another one of the top cyber security certifications online is the CISM – Certified Information Security Manager. It offers useful managerial skills related to information security. In this field, risk management and assurance play significant roles in job requirements. Hence, it is based on practical security management concepts that are necessary to complete the work.

Moreover, there are lots of possibilities for career advancement with this higher-level certification. The CISM is appropriate for information risk managers as well as cybersecurity and IT security managers.

Also, this certification can provide you with the confidence you require for promotions and pay hikes if you are already a manager. A company that values security and the procedures necessary to maintain compliance and security in the IT environment would value this certificate.

Hence, this is an internationally recognized certification. The course subject areas include:

  • Governance of information security.
  • Management of information security risks.
  • Management of incidents.

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5. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

Cost of the course – $599 per attempt

The CCSP – Certified Cloud Security Professional is one of the entry-level cyber security certifications for beginners. It is useful for IT professionals who want to work as cloud security specialists.

This certification has global popularity and ranks among the top ones for cloud security. Moreover, people who successfully finish this course have a solid understanding of the architecture, operations, and design of cloud security.

Although this program is a great option for beginners, it is necessary for applicants to have at least five years of work experience before they can enroll.

In addition, this certification remains valid for three years. But CCSP professionals should pay their yearly fees and maintain their studies to keep the certificate valid. Moreover, CCSP holders can pursue their careers as Architects, Engineers, and Cloud security professionals.

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6. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP)

Cost of the course – $480

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner – CASP is one of the best cyber security certifications online. It is appropriate for experienced cybersecurity specialists who are not yet managers.It offers the advanced skills you require to lead the application of frameworks and policies. These are the skills that managers often require.

Moreover, CASP addresses both security architecture and engineering areas in order to teach how to create appropriate solutions.Hence, this will show the difference between less-experienced security professionals and more-experienced ones. However, different topics included in this course are as follows:

  • Architecture for security.
  • Security procedures.
  • Risk, compliance, and governance.
  • Engineering and cryptography for security.

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner

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7. Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

Cost of the course – $249

SSCP – Systems Security Certified Practitioner is among the best cyber security certifications online. This certification is an intermediate security accreditation from (ISC)2.

With the help of this, employers can see that you have the ability to design, build, and monitor a secure IT infrastructure. However, SSCP candidates must have a year of paid job experience in the field of IT security in order to be eligible to take the exam.

The SSCP is created for IT professionals that interact directly with a company’s security assets or systems. In addition, after certification, candidates must agree to follow the ISC2 Code of Ethics and agree to pay an annual maintenance charge. However, the following areas are covered in the exam:

  • Operations and management of security.
  • Access controls.
  • Analysis, monitoring, and identification of risks.
  • Response to an incident and recovery.
  • Cryptography.
  • Security for networks and communications.
  • Security for applications and systems.

Systems Security Certified Practitioner

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Wrapping Up: 7 Best Cyber Security Certifications To Upskill Your Career

Evidently, nowadays many businesses are hiring cybersecurity professionals to guarantee the safety of their data as well as digital infrastructure. Hence, all the above-mentioned 7 top free cyber security certifications will ensure that you possess appropriate skills for the same. Hence, you may go through all the courses listed here and sign up for those that interest you. Also, drop any suggestions or queries you may have in the comments section below.