Also referred to as computer security and information security, cybersecurity represents a highly coveted occupation that protects data, software, networks, and hardware from the damage caused by the theft of sensitive information. As businesses depend more on digital technology than ever to remain competitive, the opportunities for criminals to damage, steal, and disrupt proprietary information increase with every passing day. Because of the increasing frequency of cybercrimes, the job outlook for cybersecurity professionals is one of the most positive job outlooks of any other profession, including professionals that work in the healthcare industry.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for information security analysCyts is expected to grow by 35 percent from now until 2032. The median compensation for a cybersecurity professional should sit at just above $102,600. Companies searching for qualified cybersecurity professionals typically require just a bachelor’s degree and fewer than five years of experience from qualified candidates.
Despite the huge demand for cybersecurity specialists, job candidates can boost their careers by earning one of the top cybersecurity certifications.
What Are the Benefits of Obtaining a Cybersecurity Certification?
Many cybersecurity professionals assume earning one of the top certifications is all about making more money. Although that is partly true, completing the right cybersecurity certification course can help you in other ways as well.
Make Your Professional Credentials Stand Out
Cybersecurity professionals share many of the same professional attributes, such as earning a bachelor’s degree and gaining a certain level of experience. Having one of the top cybersecurity certifications listed on your resume differentiates your professional credentials from other job candidates.
Demonstrates Dedication
Earning a cybersecurity certification requires a considerable amount of work, which demonstrates a commitment made to enhance your skills and qualifications. In addition to gaining relevant knowledge, earning a cybersecurity certification lets an employer know you possess the perseverance required to tackle complex technical issues.
Saves Companies Money
Earning the right cybersecurity certification helps a company save money in training you to learn new and highly-valued technical skills. Job training programs cost thousands of dollars per cybersecurity occupation. If you start day one possessing the technical skills to stop the most advanced cyberattacks, you can expect employers to move your name to the top of the job candidate list.
Yes, money also plays a role in why you should earn one of the top cybersecurity certifications. You earn more money than someone who has not earned the same certification, as well as put yourself at the head of the candidates reviewed for a raise and promotion.
Top 3 Cybersecurity Certifications
Because of the incredible demand for information security analysts, many companies require just a bachelor’s degree for job candidates. However, earning one of the following five certifications should give your career a significant boost.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Earning a CISSP gives you one of the most demanded professional credentials in the cybersecurity industry. This certification shows you possess the skills to create, implement, and monitor the success of a cybersecurity program for any company. Earning a CISSP can help advance your career into a position such as a security administrator or chief information security officer.
Qualifying to take the CISSP examination requires you to achieve five or more years of cybersecurity experience in at least two of eight of the cybersecurity areas of expertise. A four-year computer science degree represents one year of relevant cybersecurity experience. The average cost of enrolling in the CISSP program runs $749.
Learn more here.
CompTIA Security+
For an entry-level cybersecurity position such as a help desk manager or security engineer, earning the CompTIA Security+ certification earns you more money and makes your professional credentials stand out among other recent college graduates. The average cost of $379 to earn the CompTIA Security+ certification is less than one college credit at many colleges, as well as the cost of completing a company cybersecurity training program.
With this certification, you prove you have the ability to assess security threats facing an organization. You also demonstrate the professional skills to monitor cloud security issues and follow the laws and regulations that concern cybersecurity compliance. Before earning the CompTIA Security+ certification, you should receive a Google IT Support Professional Certificate to develop the foundational skills required to help you prepare for CompTIA Security+ topics.
Learn more here.
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
The CISA certification from the professional association ISACA helps you develop the skills needed to assess cybersecurity vulnerabilities. You learn how to implement controls that prevent cyberattacks and analyze risks that can cause debilitating shutdowns for organizations. Many companies recognize the CISA certification as the preeminent certification for cybersecurity auditing careers.
Some of the most common positions associated with earning a CISA certification include IT security engineer and compliance program manager. You must have at least five years of experience in IT auditing to become eligible to enroll in a certification course that costs an average of $575 for ISACA members and $760 for non-members.
Learn more here.
Additional Cybersecurity Resources
Looking for some guidance to help advance your cybersecurity career? As part of the Career Resources, accessible on the IT Executives Council Career Center, you can connect with expert career coaches and resume writers who can answer your questions and help prepare you for your cybersecurity job search.
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