10 Hot Cybersecurity Certifications For IT Professionals To Pursue In 2021
According to global IT skills and compensation report conducted by Global Knowledge, IT staff with security certifications have substantially higher average wages — about 15% more — than those without them.
According to Cybersecurity Ventures, there will be 3.5 million cybersecurity job openings by 2021, up from 1 million in 2014.
Every IT role now includes a cybersecurity component. Protecting and defending software, data, computers, infrastructure, and people is something that every IT worker, every technology worker, needs to be concerned with.
So, what are the most valuable cybersecurity certifications? It depends on who you ask and how you approach the situation. Although some certifications pay more than others (see the survey), the discrepancies between some of them are insignificant — and they’re all important.
Before we get into our list of 10 hottest certifications, we’d like to tell you about ITU Online’s Ultimate Cybersecurity Training Bundle. It includes their most famous courses, such as Ethical Hacking v10 and CompTIA PenTest+. They also guarantee the best price. This incredible package includes lifetime access, ten courses, and over 170 hours of content.
You understand that having the right cybersecurity training is critical for the next step in your career, whether it’s a raise or a promotion. However, there are a variety of training options available—which one would lead to the most in-demand cybersecurity jobs?
Cybersecurity has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of the overall tech job market in the last five years, with numerous prospects for career advancement. One reason for this continued growth is that cybercriminals and state-sponsored hackers continue to improve their skills, posing new challenges that security teams must predict and counter.
The federal indictment in February of four members of China’s People’s Liberation Army for hacking Equifax in 2017, resulting in one of the largest data breaches in history, is just one of many reasons why businesses large and small are increasing their investments in cybersecurity.
For many companies, the problem is that there aren’t enough cybersecurity experts to meet the rising demand. According to a 2019 study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, 82 percent of employers reported a cybersecurity skills shortage. Another seven out of ten respondents believe the talent shortage has a “direct and measurable” effect on their businesses.
According to the same report, the global cybersecurity workforce will have over 1.8 million unfilled vacancies by 2022.
With so many options, technologists with the right training will find their way to a higher cybersecurity salary (one study claims that many of the best cybersecurity workers in North America receive upwards of $100,000 per year) or a faster path to the next promotion. There are many options for those looking to break into cybersecurity or change careers.
Before we go any further, let’s take a look at the perfect skills for a career in cybersecurity. The following are the baseline and defining cybersecurity skills, according to Burning Glass, which gathers and analyzes millions of work posts from around the country:
What Is Cyber Security Training and Why Do I Need It?
Consider the phrase “hands-on.” For several years, cybersecurity training was mostly focused on book learning and theory, with more realistic experience coming later in the security workforce as college graduates entering the workforce.
However, the solution would not be able to meet the current demand for cybersecurity professionals. According to a study by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, cybersecurity training must develop to meet this demand.
What Is the Purpose of Cyber Security Training?
According to Thomas Hatch, CTO, and co-founder of SaltStack, an intelligent IT automation software firm based in Utah, cybersecurity training can demonstrate the basics of cybersecurity, particularly for those who are new to the area, since jobs can range from network penetration testing to old-fashioned patch management.
“The first thing I would suggest is getting a sense of the landscape, determining what types of cyber protection are available, and then diving into specific areas,” Hatch told Dice.
“There’s network penetration and vulnerability, exploit management, and traditional black hat tooling, for example. For attack deterrent systems like honeypots, understanding stable software engineering is a great choice. “There are a lot of things to think about,” he said. “After that, look at the tools available in each of these areas.”
Hatch indicated that good cybersecurity training helps both experienced professionals and those with limited expertise to delve deeper into the ramifications of the security threat. Security-centric technologists can better grasp the consequences for the entire corporate network by understanding how networks are patched for vulnerabilities and what the implications are, he said.
Where to Begin Cyber Security Training?
There are various cybersecurity training courses and programs available, similar to cybersecurity certifications, each providing unique perspectives and advice for advancing and enhancing your security career.
Although there is no universal standard, many security practitioners and researchers point to the SANS Institute, private training and certifications provider, and its catalog of computer security training courses as a starting point as well as a way to advance a career.
Andre Barrutia, director of talent management at Coalfire, a cybersecurity consulting services company in Colorado, said, “SANS Training has a range of subjects around information security and courses can be taken online.” “It is well worth the investment of money and time, and it is in high demand.”
SANS courses vary from the fundamentals, such as “Introduction to Cyber Security,” to the much more complex “Cloud Security Architecture and Operations.”
However, because of the recent spread of COVID-19, SANS and other cybersecurity training organizations are focusing their efforts online.
Other organizations provide free cybersecurity training and learning courses to get professionals and beginners started, while SANS charges for these and other cybersecurity training courses depending on the level of complexity and subject matter.
For instance, Cybrary is a free, open-source library of cybersecurity training and learning materials that can be accessed through the internet. The company also provides computer security training and testing for beginners, intermediates, and advanced users.
The Department of Homeland Security provides the free Federal Virtual Training Environment (FederalVTE) to U.S. veterans and other government employees, which connects those interested in security with a variety of cybersecurity training and qualification courses ranging from simple coding to reverse engineering.
What Are Some of the Most Successful Cyber Security Training Programs?
Several other organizations, in addition to the SANS Institute, Cybrary, and Homeland Security’s FederalVTE, offer various cybersecurity training programs.
Tripwire, a cybersecurity company, released a list of some of the most well-known and recognized cybersecurity training courses in September 2019, including offerings from (ISC)2, Global Information Assurance Certification, Infosec Institute, and the MIS Training Institute.
Universities are another place to search for better cybersecurity training. The University of Washington, for example, offers a course called “Building a Cybersecurity Toolkit,” which covers both the fundamentals of cybersecurity and best practices. This cybersecurity training course is free, with a credential available for $199.
The Stanford Advanced Computer Security Certificate Program, which involves six online courses that will take between 50 and 55 hours to complete, is a step up the cybersecurity training ladder. This course, aimed at those with a bachelor’s degree who want to advance in their careers, costs more than $3,000 but includes access to executives from Google, Linked In, Symantec, VeriSign, and LifeLock.
10 Hot Cybersecurity Certifications
The editors of Cybercrime Magazine have compiled a list of 10 hot security certifications for IT employees in 2020:
- CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) – A Certified Ethical Hacker is a trained professional who understands and knows how to search for flaws and vulnerabilities in target systems, and who employs the same skills and tools as a malicious hacker to determine the security status of a target system in a lawful and legal manner (s).
- CRISC (Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control) – CRISC is the only credential that trains and allows IT professionals to meet the specific challenges of IT and enterprise risk management, positioning them to become strategic business partners.
- CIPP/US (Certified Information Privacy Professional) – A CIPP/US certification, which is backed by ANSI/ISO accreditation, demonstrates that you have a thorough understanding of U.S. privacy laws and regulations, resulting in higher earning potential and improved promotion opportunities.
- Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) – Earning opportunities and career development are also enhanced by CISM certification. CISM is consistently ranked as one of the best paid and sought-after IT certifications in recent independent reports.
- CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) – Advance your career by receiving the CISA certification, which is internationally recognized as the gold standard for those who audit, oversee, track, and analyze information technology and business systems.
- CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) – CISSP stands for Certified Information Systems Security Professional. With the CISSP certification, you can jumpstart your cybersecurity career. The CISSP credential validates the ability to plan, execute, and maintain a world-class cybersecurity program.
- Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA) – A network specialist who holds a CCNA Security credential has demonstrated the ability to build a security system, detect network threats and vulnerabilities, and mitigate security threats.
- Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP) – The Cisco Network Security Engineer is responsible for the security of routers, switches, networking devices, and appliances, as well as selecting, installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting firewalls, VPNs, and IDS/IPS solutions for their networking environments.
- CompTIA Security+ – The first security qualification that IT professionals can obtain is CompTIA Security+. It establishes the foundational knowledge needed for any cybersecurity function and serves as a stepping stone to intermediate-level cybersecurity positions.
- C|HFI (Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator) – Police, government, and corporate companies all over the world use computer investigative techniques, and many of them rely on EC-Computer Council’s Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI Certification Program.
Robert Herjavec, a Shark on ABC’s Shark Tank and CEO of Herjavec Group, a $300 million cybersecurity firm, says, “If you know cybersecurity, you’ve got a work for life.”
We suggest the CompTIA Security+ software, which is included in ITU Online’s Ultimate Cybersecurity Bundle, for newcomers who aren’t sure where to begin. You’ll be able to call yourself a cybersecurity expert once you have your credential.
| # | Organization | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Digital Defense, Inc. (DDI) | Our core business at Digital Defense, Inc. (DDI) is assessing security risk. DDI’s security evaluation experience, combined with our extensive history in security training, has culminated in cutting-edge education solutions. SecurED®, an industry-recognized training program that has been proven successful by Ponemon Institute studies, is assisting in the development of a security culture within organizations all over the world. |
| 2 | KnowBe4 | KnowBe4 is the world’s most popular integrated platform for awareness training combined with simulated phishing attacks. We help thousands of organizations to manage the continuing problem of social engineering. Find out how effective our security awareness training is, and start with your FREE Phishing Security Test; find out what percentage of your employees are Phish-prone. |
| 3 | Inspired eLearning | Gartner’s recently released Magic Quadrant for Security Awareness Training has put our Security Awareness Training Platform in the Leaders quadrant. Our curriculum provides annual training material for all employees for up to seven years, anti-phishing training, simulated phishing attacks, annual updates, a monthly eNewsletter, posters, screensavers, and job aids to include a continuous stream of tips and best practices that learners can instantly put to use to improve protection. |
| 4 | Security University | Security University is the world’s leading provider of hands-on, qualified cybersecurity education, information assurance training, and certifications for IT and security professionals. Through our Information Security and Information Assurance Training and Certifications for IT Security Professionals Worldwide, Security University strives to provide the highest quality Cybersecurity education available to our students. |
| 5 | Infosec Institute | The best place to go for high-quality information security training is the InfoSec Institute. Since 1998, we’ve been providing a wide range of related training courses to Information Security and IT professionals. Over 50,000 people have trusted InfoSec Institute for their professional development needs over the last 16 years! |
| 6 | SecureNinja | SecureNinja has formed strategic alliances with Microsoft, EC Council, CompTIA, ISACA, ISSA, OWASP, and VMware, among others. By integrating cutting-edge technology into our training and consulting services, we are able to remain current in a number of fields. Whether it’s professional services, certification, or personalized training, SecureNinja has consistently delivered the highest quality and highest pass rates in the industry. |
| 7 | Johns Hopkins University | Johns Hopkins University (JHU), a world leader in teaching and research*, will provide you with the technical framework and expertise you need to meet our country’s rising demand for highly qualified professionals in the fields of information security and assurance. |
| 8 | MIS Training Institute | MIS Training Institute, founded in 1978, is the global leader in audit and information security training, with offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Asia. The knowledge of MIS is based on more than 200,000 delegates trained across five continents. |
| 9 | GIAC – Global Information Assurance Certification | GIAC is the leading supplier and manufacturer of Cyber Security Certifications. GIAC assesses and certifies experts in the fields of information technology, forensics, and software security. Holders of GIAC certifications are known as IT experts and are sought after by the government, military, and industry around the world to protect the cyber environment. |
| 10 | EC-Council CCISO Program | Program for Chief Information Security Officers (CCISO) The CCISO Certification is a market-leading program that acknowledges the real-world expertise required to excel at the highest levels of information security management. The CCISO program integrates audit management, governance, information security controls, human resource management, strategic program creation, and the financial skills needed to lead a highly effective information security program. |
| 11 | Cyber Aces | The best online cybersecurity courses are all available for free. We assist Americans with an aptitude for information security in identifying, enabling, and encouraging them to discover and grow their talent and passion so that they can contribute to the physical and economic security of the United States and its businesses. |
| 12 | Wombat Security | Our Security Education Platform was created specifically for information security officers and allows for the smooth implementation of your knowledge and training programs. We listen to our customers, and our responsive platform design allows us to add new functionality and features as needed. |
| 13 | ThreatSim | ThreatSim was created by a group of experienced security professionals in the Washington, DC metro area. Security is what we eat, breathe, and drink. We saw a need for a scalable, feature-rich, end-to-end spear phishing and advanced attack assessment and training service in the sector. Through billions of dollars spent, significant breaches continue to occur. |
| 14 | BeOne Development / InfoSecure | We’re a global company that provides digital learning solutions to raise employee knowledge of information security, data security, intellectual property rights, privacy, and business continuity management. We provide awareness training services for a wide range of organizations in over 100 countries and 40 languages. |
| 15 | The SANS Institute | SANS Institute is the world’s most credible and largest provider of information security training and certification. It also creates, manages, and makes freely available the world’s largest collection of research documents on various aspects of information security, as well as operating the Internet Storm Center, which is the Internet’s early warning system. |
If you’ve already worked in the security industry, check out the top 5 security positions that pay over $200,000.
By 2021, cybercrime is expected to cost the world $6 trillion a year, up from $3 trillion in 2015. Over the next decade, Cybersecurity Ventures expects a steady market for seasoned cybersecurity practitioners, making certifications a worthwhile investment.
