Online Cybersecurity Certification Programs

There are two reasons for online cybersecurity certification programmes. Certification programmes are excellent tools for advancing careers by keeping business awareness current for people who already have a degree or job experience in the field. Certification programmes may also help people who work in similar fields break into the cybersecurity sector.

There are significant distinctions between the types of credential programmes that professionals can pursue and the types of certifications that will be more beneficial to students and entry-level professionals.

Academic Certifications vs. Professional Certifications

Professional certifications are intended to supplement business professionals’ existing expertise and knowledge. Typically, they are aimed at advanced topics in cybersecurity, or at upgrading existing hands-on experience and technological expertise.

Current information security professionals use these certification programs, as well as the tests that frequently follow, to improve their level of professionalism and advance their careers, as well as to stay current in an ever-changing industry.

Academic cybersecurity certifications are largely aimed at those looking to break into the information security field, whether from academia or another field. As a result, academic credential programs are broader in scope and introductory in nature. Some academic programs, on the other hand, can be used as a more expedient and cost-effective short-term replacement for undergraduate and graduate college degrees.

These types of certification programs can help aspiring cybersecurity professionals get a head start on their careers or simply provide a better understanding of what life is like in the information security sector. Academic cybersecurity certification programs are plentiful and rising all the time, so do your homework and look at all of your choices.

Cybersecurity Certification Programmes Offered Online vs. On-Campus

Campus-based or real-world continuing education services necessitate a significant time commitment. Due to regional constraints, they can also necessitate compromises in terms of which schools and services are available. Some people learn better in a typical classroom setting, and campus-based formats are typically the best option for them.

Today, however, there are hundreds of excellent online educational options available. The primary goal of online courses is to provide students with more versatility. Though asynchronous online programs are the most convenient, synchronous programs often have benefits over campus-based programs. Due to the absence of the commute associated with classroom-based classes, all forms of online qualification courses reduce the amount of time and effort spent avoiding traffic.

Since synchronous systems have fixed times for class instruction and, in many cases, student discussion, time and schedule flexibility are restricted. Asynchronous systems, on the other hand, are completely free of time constraints, allowing students to set their own schedules and advance at their own rate. Although online education has a tainted reputation in the past, high-quality courses from high-quality institutions are now widely accessible and rapidly expanding.

SANS Technology Institute is the largest provider of cybersecurity training and certifications in the world. SANS provides synchronous and asynchronous online instruction, with two different choices for each. Each student/professional will have different needs and barriers to training, so they must choose the type of online coursework that best fits them and their lives.

What to Look for in Online Cybersecurity Certification Programmes

Professionals in the field of information security must be continuously evolving, adjusting, and increasing. Since technology advances and security threats evolve at a rapid pace, the industry as a whole is constantly changing. The rule of thumb in every technology-related area is to develop or die.

As a result, cybersecurity practitioners must maintain a constant state of interest and knowledge throughout their careers. If professionals want to remain competitive in this field, they must continue to learn.

Keeping up with innovations and developments can be done by using a variety of methods. Industry associations are a great place to meet new people and share your experiences with those in your field. They often frequently host meetings, conferences, workshops, and other gatherings that provide unique educational opportunities. Standardized certification schemes, on the other hand, offer concrete evidence of unique educational achievements that anyone in the industry can understand and recognize.

Certifications and training can be extremely beneficial for students seeking to join the information security field as well as professionals seeking to advance their careers in cybersecurity. When looking for and selecting online cybersecurity certification programs, keep the following requirements in mind:

• • What is the difference between asynchronous and asynchronous formats, and how do they integrate into a professional’s life?
  • The amount of time it takes to complete certification
  • The qualification program’s price
  • Employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement
  • Exams for equivalency can be taken before the course are available.
  • Applicability of topic to desired entry point/career path
  • Credits for degree programs are available.

Professional Online Cybersecurity Certification Programmes

Technical cybersecurity certification programs are designed to meet market demands for skilled professionals’ expertise and knowledge, as well as professionals’ desire to increase their value and employment in the field. Topics and curricula are deliberately chosen to have the greatest possible positive effects. Individuals in all types of specialties may find credential programs, as well as general skills and knowledge certifications aimed at specialized, high-level professionals.

Keep in mind that, due to the constant evolution of technology and security threats, technical certifications must be updated on a regular basis to remain current and legitimate. Infosec professionals can find qualification programs to upgrade and develop their expertise in any specialty within cybersecurity. There are several research and education organizations, as well as industry trade associations, that serve the certification needs of the industry.

The following are some of the most well-known and well-respected specialist cybersecurity certification providers on the internet:

• • GIAC
  • SANS
  • ISC2

Academic Online Cybersecurity Certification Programmes

The scope, intent, and effect of academic cybersecurity certification programs vary greatly. Individual colleges deliver all of these programs, and the programs are as unique as the colleges themselves. Some, on the other hand, are provided by industry continuing education organizations and other stakeholders involved in raising cybersecurity awareness and expanding the workforce census. In university online credential programs, there are a few categories to be aware of.

• • Programs for introductory/training certification
  • Certification services for undergraduates
  • Certification services for graduates

Introductory/Training Certification Programmes

As the world starts to comprehend the full weight of making so many networks and information warehouses vulnerable through online connections, the emphasis on and interest in cybersecurity is rising daily. Every day, more people consider whether cybersecurity is the right career path for them. There is a variety of low-cost or even free solutions for those interested in learning more about information security. SANS Institute has a range of online courses that can help you do just that. SANS offers free introductory courses as well as more advanced courses through its Cyber Aces program.

Introduction to IT and Cybersecurity is an online course offered by Cybrary, another provider of business training and certifications. This free course teaches the four primary principles of IT and cybersecurity to help beginners determine which career path within the industry is right for them.

For students and professionals interested in switching professions to cybersecurity, baseline awareness and skills certifications are a great place to start once the decision to move forward has been made. CompTIA Security+ is the most well-known and well-recognized of CompTIA’s entry-level cybersecurity certifications. CompTIA is an industry continuing education association. It’s tailored to those who are already involved in IT and want to move into cybersecurity. It’s available from CompTIA and a few other places online.

Some colleges have cybersecurity training programs for new students. Each one is custom-made by the school that offers it. Essentials of Cybersecurity is a credential program established by the University of Washington. This course gives aspiring information security professionals an overview of cybersecurity departments in the real world, including how they function and how they’re structured. It also introduces students to cybersecurity terms and definitions, as well as assisting them in determining how well their experience and skills relate to the field.

The Cybersecurity MicroMasters Program, established by Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), is a certification training series. Starting with Cybersecurity Fundamentals, RIT gives students a glimpse into the field of information management, network and system administration, information assurance principles, and simple cryptography. After completing the course, there is a road to certification. There’s a lot more in the MicroMasters Program in terms of courses and certifications for more advanced training, such as network security, forensics, and risk management.

Undergraduate Certification Programmes

Students can, of course, earn a complete bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity online. However, we’re talking about training and qualification programs that don’t lead to degrees. A benefit of the cybersecurity programs is that the majority of credits received can be applied toward a degree if students wish to continue their education.

The following are some examples of online undergraduate cybersecurity certification programs. There are a plethora of other online undergraduate degree programs. A more comprehensive list can be found at the bottom of this page.

• • Utica College Cyber-Technologies Certificate
  • CSU Global undergraduate certificate in cybersecurity
  • American Military University undergraduate certificate in cybersecurity
  • Thomas Edison State University undergraduate certificate in cybersecurity
  • Champlain College online cybersecurity certificate

Graduate Certification Programmes

Graduate cybersecurity certification programs, like undergraduate cybersecurity certification programs, usually earn student points that can be applied toward a graduate degree. These programs, like undergraduate options, differ greatly in emphasis, scope, time commitment, and cost.

Following are a few examples of graduate cybersecurity certification programs offered online by some of the country’s most prestigious universities. There are plenty more to choose from. A more comprehensive list can be found below.

• • George Washington University Master’s of Engineering in cybersecurity
  • Boston University Certificate in Cybercrime Investigation  Cybersecurity
  • The University of Maryland offers three graduate certificates in cybersecurity
  • Purdue University graduate certificate in cybersecurity

A-List of Online Academic Cybersecurity Certification Programmes

The information in the following list of certification programs is current. It isn’t a rating in every sense of the word. Instead, it is provided to provide training and qualification opportunities to those who are interested, as well as a comparison point between the options.

Best Cybersecurity Certifications Online