11 Best IT Security Certifications For Beginners & Professionals

Review and comparison of top IT Security Certifications for beginners and professionals to select the best IT Security Certification:

Do you know that if you practice cyber-security then you have a job for life? This statement emphasizes the importance attached to security practitioners in our community.

We are in a world of digital transformation and the amount of digital data, as well as transactions, is growing day by day thereby increasing data breaches, and this situation has given rise to the increase in demand for skilled IT security professionals.

In this tutorial, we will be exploring some of the top IT security certifications that you can have along with their cost implications, and also see why it is important for you to have such certifications.

Need For IT Security Certifications

When you have IT security certifications at your disposal, then this will provide you leeway to job opportunities that are available. These certifications make it easier for you to get promoted and even negotiate a higher salary.

This Field is always in motion and there are always constant changes available, and when you try to get certified or recertified then you get exposed to this fact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q #1) What are the best IT security certifications?

Answer: Enlisted below are some of the best IT Security Certifications.

• CompTIA Security+
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

Q #2) What are the easiest security certifications to get?

Answer: The easiest Security Certifications include:

• CompTIA Security+
• Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Security Fundamentals
• CSX Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certificate
• Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

Q #3) Can I get CISSP without experience?

Answer: No. You must have at least five years of work experience as an IT pro and you must have knowledge of at least two out of the eight domains that are covered in the exam.

If you don’t have this experience then you can only have Associate of (ISC)2 and when you have the required experience, then you will have that CISSP designate.

Top IT Security Certifications for Beginners

Enlisted below are the best IT Security certifications that would be perfectly suitable for any beginner.

Security Certifications Comparison

Let’s Review each certification!!

#1) INE eLearnSecurity Certified Digital Forensics Professional

If you wish to enhance your skills in digital analysis, then this certification course is for you. The course will teach you how to gather evidence and retrieve data from wires and endpoints for analysis. The course includes multiple purpose-built simulations based on real-world security incidents.

The course is designed to help you prepare for a solid career in the information security and cyber security industry.

Prerequisites: The certification course is mostly suited for professional-level learners.
Exams: 4 courses, 43 labs, and 28 videos before taking a practical exam to secure certification.
Cost of the Exam: $400

Advantages of eLearnSecurity Certified Digital Forensics Professional

The certification course will improve your understanding of cyber-attacks, systems, and networks. You’ll learn how to analyze both FAT and NTFS file systems. You’ll also learn how to perform investigations against Skype, Windows Recycle Bins, etc.

#2) CompTIA Security+

The CompTIA Security+ certification is issued by CompTIA. This is one of the IT Security entry-level exams for beginners, which certainly makes it a good place to start for anyone coming into IT Security.

It teaches basic security concepts that every beginner must know and is an exam seen by many as the first point of call on the way to pursuing your professional career and more advanced certification.

This exam offers generalized information and principles that will help candidates understand and build a solid foundation in information security. This exam includes six domains that must be understood by the student before taking the exam.

• Prerequisites: Before sitting for this exam it is always advisable to take the CompTIA Network+ Certification and have two years of systems administration experience.
• Exam: CompTIA Security+ SY0-601 (Maximum of 90 questions, 90 minutes long, passing score 750 on a scale of 100-900.
• Cost for the exam: $207 – $370 USD (depending on country).

Advantages of achieving Security+

Investing your time and money on this exam is worth it because any candidate who achieves the Security+ can land a very good job as an entry-level IT Security personnel. So if you are looking for an excellent entry-level certification then Security+ should be your next destination.

Website: CompTIA Security+

#3) CSX Technical Foundations Certificate

The CSX certification is issued by ISACA. It is another entry-level IT Certification package with a combination of three hands-on introductory courses and their corresponding certification exams.

Students will be able to learn how to interpret and use packets in their daily work routine, using Linux commands to understand their systems and networks, and secure networks they build and maintain.

After learning all these, it will now be the right time for the students to take the three affiliated certificate exams which apply to each course of study.

When someone successfully passes the following three certificate exams, they will be  awarded the CSX Technical Foundations Certificate

• CSX Network Application and Configuration Certificate
• CSX Linux Application and Configuration Certificate
• CSX Packet Analysis Course Certificate

Prerequisites: Candidates can pay for the exam and take the training on ISACA online platform.
Exam: Includes 3 courses and 3 certificate exams.
Cost for the exam: $900USD (only Exam) +$1200USD (Training)

Advantages of CSX Technical Foundations

This will help you to develop skills in performance testing in a live, dynamic, virtual network environment. Investing in this exam will fetch you three certifications and land you a very good job as a Network security officer.

Website: CSX Technical Foundations Certificate

#4) Microsoft Technology Associate Security Fundamentals

The MTA certification is issued by Microsoft. This Microsoft Security Fundamental exam is aimed at college students and those that want to change their career into IT security.

This exam takes into cognizance the security fundamentals that are required to kick start your security career, it discusses the principles of IT security, basics of an operating system, network, and software security.

• Prerequisites: Candidates need to have hands-on experience with Windows Server, firewalls, windows based networking, and some other common security products.
• Exam: 98-367
• Cost for the exam: $127 (depends on country)

Advantages of MTA Security Fundamentals

This is a way to kick-start your career in IT Security and it is not really a difficult exam to pass and with it, you can land some entry-level jobs in IT Security.

Website: Microsoft Technology Associate Security Fundamentals

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#5) Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA)

The CCNA certification is issued by Cisco. CCNA Security certification is another foundational certification exam if you are looking to kick-starting a career in security.

This exam will help you build the skills required to develop a secure infrastructure with routers and firewalls and other security devices. It will help you to recognize threats and vulnerabilities to networks, and define how to mitigate security threats.

• Prerequisites: You just need to have experience in working in an IT network environment and it’s recommended but not compulsory to sit for the A+ Exam by CompTIA.
• Exam: CCNA (200-301) Exam has 120 multiple-choice questions to be answered within 2 hours and 849 out of 1000 points is the passing score).
• Cost for the exam: $300 USD

Advantages of CCNA Security

The CCNA (200-301) exam helps you to gain the skills required to test you on everything related to network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, and security fundamentals.

Website: Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA)

#6) Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

The SSCP certification is issued by (ISC)². This is a globally recognized advanced security administration and operations certification. It is another great way to kick start your IT Security career and is a step in the right direction in securing your organization’s critical assets.

SSCP certification will ascertain you have the technical skills and knowledge to implement, monitor, and administer IT infrastructure using security best practices.

• Prerequisites: You just need to have experience in working in an IT network environment and it’s recommended but not compulsory to sit for the A+ Exam by CompTIA.
• Exam: SSCP Exam has 125 multiple-choice questions to be answered within 3 hours and 700 out of 1000 points is the passing score).
• Cost for the exam: $249 USD

Advantages of SSCP

The SSCP exam helps you to gain the required technical skills and knowledge to implement, monitor, and administer IT infrastructure using best security practices.

It creates job opportunities and increases your take-home pay after you are a certified SSCP.

Website: Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)

Best IT Security Certifications for Professionals

Just as we have some specific IT Security certifications for beginners, we also have professionals who have several working years’ experience in the field and have been exposed to hands-on practicals. If you are a professional then you can get certified in some of the below certifications.

#7) Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The CISSP certification is issued by (ISC)². This exam is an advanced certification exam for Professionals who have the sole responsibility of developing and managing their organization’s security procedures, policies, and standards.

This certificate is required when you are on the path to Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of your organization.

The CISSP is in high demand and is globally recognized and accepted. When you have this security certification you will discover many job opportunities opening up for you, regardless of whichever country you are in.

It is definitely a perfect certification for IT security experts who want to take their careers to the next level.

• Prerequisites: You must have at least five years of work experience as an IT pro and you must have knowledge of at least two out of the eight domains that are covered in the exam.

Any candidate who cannot prove or don’t have the required work experience can still satisfy the requirements with a four-year college degree but might need to take the exam and earn an Associate of (ISC)2, however, they wait for six years to earn the required work experience to become CISSP.

• Exam: The CISSP Exam has 250 multiple-choice questions to be answered within 6 hours and 700 out of 1000 points is the passing score which makes up 70% of the total score).
• Cost for the exam: $699 USD (depends on the Country)

Advantages of CISSP

The CISSP is a high-level exam not for rookies rather for professionals who want to take their career to another level and increase their income. When you have this certificate, it shows your employer that you have the required expertise of an IT Security expert.

Website: CISSP

#8) EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

The CEH certification is issued by EC-Council. This is an exam that is aimed at penetration testing. When you have a CEH certificate, then you will be definitely known as a white-hat-hacker.

Any holder of this certificate has the sole responsibility of trying to penetrate a system to find vulnerabilities. The major reason for which organizations usually hire them is to help them find vulnerabilities in their system so that they can quickly remediate them before an attacker finds them.

Certified Ethical Hacker certification is an exam that has penetration testing as a focal point.

The white hat hackers test the security of a network from the inside or pretend to be an attacker from the outside. This is one of the best-known and sought-after information security certificates in the world.

• Prerequisites: Candidates must attend an EC-Council official training or have at least two years of information security working experience.
• Exam: CEH Exam (125 questions to be answered in 4 hours, 70% passing score)
• Cost for the exam: $1,199 USD

Advantages of CEH

The CEH is another security certificate that is well sought after and is globally recognized and accepted. There are so many security job opportunities that rely on the skills that a CEH holder possesses.

One of the benefits of possessing this certificate is that you will learn the basics and also learn high-level IT Security with hands-on practice to develop your skill. It is definitely a starting point for anyone who wants to pick penetration testing and ethical hacking as a job.

Website: CEH

#9) Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

The CISM certification is issued by ISACA. This is a non-technical certification that teaches management skills in information security. Apart from security management skills, this exam focuses on assurance and risk management which are a large part of the exam domain.

This certification is a critical resource for every IT professional who has the role of enterprise-level security management. This exam will help them on how to manage, develop, and oversee security systems and also develop organizational best practices within their own environment.

• Prerequisites: Candidates are expected to have five years of work experience in the field of information security, with at least three years in the role of an information security manager.
• Exam: CISM Exam consists of 200 questions to be answered in 4 hours. You can score between 200 and 800, with a score of 450 being the passing mark for the exam.
• Cost for the exam: $575 USD (ISACA Members), $760 USD (Non-ISACA members).

Further Reading => Best Google Career Certification Programs

Advantages of achieving CISM

This certification is very valuable for those who are planning to be in the managerial role or are already in the managerial role.

This will validate your competence to oversee the IT security of an organization, be it the IT Security risk or making sure that everyone complies with security best practices.

It is another certification that is globally sought after and accepted. It can pave the way for more income as well as job opportunities.

Website: CISM

#10) Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

The CISA certification is issued by ISACA. This exam focuses on the skills required for the audit and control of information security systems in every standard business environment. This security certification is a global certification for any IT professional who wants to stay in the IT Security audit and control domain.

• Prerequisites: Candidates must have five years of work experience in the area of Information Systems Auditing, Control, Assurance, or InfoSec.
• Exam: CISA Exam consists of 200 questions to be answered in 4 hours. You can score between 200 and 800, with a score of 450 being the passing mark for the exam.
• Cost for the Exam: $415 USD (ISACA Members), $545 USD (Non-ISACA members).

Advantages of achieving CISA

This exam will help prepare you to be an expert in IT audit and control by learning all the valuable skills that are required to be a professional who understands every detail about the auditing requirement of every organization and the necessary IT Controls that need to be put in place to guide against security risk.

Website: CISA

#11) Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

The CCSP certification is issued by (ISC)². This is one certification that has now become highly sought after and is globally accepted due to the fact that many organizations are now migrating their asset to the cloud and there is now a shift from the normal on-premise security to cloud security.

This exam focuses on an information system and IT Pro that needs to apply security to their cloud infrastructure. This certification is a must if you regularly work on cloud platforms. There is a need to have a standard cloud security architecture that will secure all your operations and services on this cloud infrastructure.

Cloud technologies are here to stay and many changes are to come, and this necessitates the need to be abreast with new trends in cloud security and having this CCSP certificate will be a plus and will always assure your employer that you have the necessary skills in administering and securing their cloud platforms.

• Prerequisites: Candidates are expected to have a minimum of five years of work experience in IT, including three years in information security.
• Exam: CCSP Exam consists of 125 questions to be answered in 4 hours, 700 points out of 1000 points are the Pass mark).
• Cost for the exam: The exam costs $549.

Advantages of achieving CCSP

If your plan is to work in a cloud environment or if you are already working in a cloud environment then this exam is a must for you because, it will help you demonstrate proficiency in cloud data security, cloud architecture and design, daily cloud operations, and application security.

Website: CCSP

#12) Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

The OSCP certification is issued by Offensive Security. It is one of the most recognized and accepted cybersecurity certifications that is focused on penetration testing.

If you want to be a recognized penetration tester and want to seek top Pen Test positions then you need to possess this certification to stand different from the others.

In the offensive community, they consider the Offensive Security Certified Professional exam as their foundational pen-testing certification exam which is intended for those who want to advance their skills and career.

This exam does not come easy, if you want to pass then you need extensive time in the LAB and it’s definitely a certification that security professionals who want to advance in penetration testing and part of a red team should earn.

• Prerequisites: Candidates are expected to complete their Penetration Testing with Kali Linux course (PWK), before taking the OSCP exam.
• Exam: Hands-on penetration test for 2 4hrs, 70 points out of 100 points is the Pass mark).
• Cost for the exam: The exam costs $999 (inclusive of 30 days LAB access).

Advantages of OSCP

Employers now acknowledge that OSCP holders have well-grounded and proven practical skills in penetration testing. Candidates have reported that they have received many offers with higher salaries after getting their OSCP certificate.

Currently, PayScale reports that OSCP holders in the USA earn about $93,128 per year while Indeed reports that the average salary for a penetration tester with an OSCP certification is between $105,000 and $118,000 per year.

Website: OSCP

Please note that this report is dependent on so many factors that could cause the salary rate to change. Check the below links for more information.

Payscale

IT Security Certifications Path

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ISACA Career Path

ISACA offers four professional certifications that focus on Information systems auditing, Risk management, IT governance, and Management.

Enlisted below are the four primary certifications apart from CSX which falls outside the general framework that applies to the four primary certs from ISACA.

• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT)
• Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

(ISC)² Career Path

The (ISC)² Certification Program offers six core security credentials for their security pathway.

• Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Authorization Professional (CAP)
• Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)
• HealthCare Information Security and Privacy Practitioner (HCISPP)
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

Any CISSP credential holders can further specialize and obtain the following certifications:

• Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (CISSP-ISSAP)
• Information Systems Security Engineering Professional (CISSP-ISSEP)
• Information Systems Security Management Professional (CISSP-ISSMP)

IT professionals who are not able to meet the work requirements can qualify for the Associate of (ISC)² but must have the necessary working experiment that is required to qualify for these certifications.

EC-Council Career Path

EC-Council offers several high-level security certifications for their security pathway:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT)
• EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)
• Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
• EC-Council Certified Incident Handler (ECIH)
• EC-Council Certified Encryption Specialist (ECES)
• EC-Council Certified Security Specialist (ECSS)
• Certified Network Defense Architect (CNDA)
• Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)

Comparison table between CompTIA Sec+ and other security exams.

Conclusion

When you earn a certification in IT Security, then you will stand out among others. This prepares you for real-life events and experiences. It is the way of a continuous learning curve in this fast-changing field of information security.

Getting certified can help you transform your professional career and increase your earning potential while making a positive impact on society.

Are you ready to try one today?