If you work in the sector of cyber security, you understand the value of certifications. They have a lot of clout, and while they won't get you a job on their own, they can help enhance your resumé and are occasionally necessary for employment.
"Certification verifies that a security professional has a specific set of skills and competencies," Philip Casesa, former director of product development and portfolio management at (ISC)2, told Dark Reading. Certification provides a screening method for human resources managers to match possible applicants with the skills, knowledge, and experience that a business is seeking for in a security expert."
There are several different types of Cyber Security Courses and certification programs. Generally, they have two main functions. The first step is to teach new hires how to utilize specific tools and technology. On the other hand, professional certifications allow more experienced IT and computer networking workers to verify and demonstrate skill mastery.
Certificates vs Cyber Security Certifications
It's crucial to understand the difference between a certification and a certificate. While both can be beneficial depending on your objectives, they are not the same. Because certification is a specialized certificate focusing on a certain topic, it is often regarded as the more significant achievement of the two. Professional groups or firms generally give certifications, which normally require recertification after a set length of time. On the other hand, a certificate is similar to a diploma for entry-level workers and is typically issued by a college or university.
The following are the differences between the two programs:
Professional cybersecurity certificates are meant for persons already working in the cybersecurity sector (or closely related IT and networking fields) and want to learn more about the technologies and software for detecting, preventing, and combating cybersecurity threats. These credentials are being used to demonstrate knowledge of specific technology. A professional certificate like CompTIA Security Plus is a standard entry-level professional cybersecurity certificate. (The Department of Defense requires it for employment).
Academic cybersecurity certificates are designed to give students a thorough understanding of some of the most pressing concerns in the area. These courses are frequently paired with supplementary coursework and certification programs to provide students with the skills and competence required to enter the rapidly growing cybersecurity industry. Harvard's online cybersecurity certification and the University of Maryland's online undergraduate cybersecurity certification are two examples of academic certification programs.
What to Look for When Choosing a Cybersecurity Certification
Earning a cybersecurity certification can help you authenticate your hard-won abilities and boost your career. When deciding whether certification is best for you, keep the following points in mind.
Your level of knowledge: Begin by obtaining a certification that corresponds to your present skill set. Invest in a certification that you know you'll be able to complete and utilize to progress to more difficult certifications later in your career. Take a peek at these basic IT credentials and certificates if you're new to IT.
Cost: Obtaining certification often costs several hundred dollars (or more), plus ongoing fees. The appropriate certification can lead to improved employment opportunities and more pay, but it's crucial to choose intelligently.
A more generic certification can be a suitable alternative if you're just getting started in cybersecurity or want to progress into a management position. You might decide to specialize as your career progresses. A certification in your concentration area will help potential employers recognize your abilities.
Employers who might be interested: Check out some job listings for employers you're interested in working for (or job titles you're interested in applying for) to see what credentials are required.
Which Network Security Certifications are the Best?
Before you can make a lot of money in network security, you must first understand the tools and abilities. This is where network security education comes into play. Network security certification courses not only provide you with the necessary information for these professions, but they also provide you with a useful credential that verifies your qualifications to potential employers.
Professionals wishing to develop their abilities and knowledge can choose from a variety of cyber security certifications. Depending on your aspirations, you might be interested in one or more of the certificates listed below that are popular among professionals in the field.
Let's have a look at a few of the most important network security certifications.
1. CEH stands for Certified Ethical Hacker.
These are IT security professionals, also known as "white hat hackers," whose duty is to try to breach systems and uncover weaknesses. They are hired by businesses and organizations to uncover flaws in the system and figure out how to remedy them. Given how vital cybersecurity has become, it's no surprise that this certification has become such a hot item.
2. GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
The GCIH certifies your knowledge of offensive operations, including common attack strategies and vectors, as well as your ability to identify, respond, and defend against attacks. Incident handling, computer crime investigation, hacker exploits, and hacker tools are all included in the certification test.
3. CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)
CISM (Certified Information Security Manager) is a third-level certification. This certification is essential for IT professionals who are responsible for enterprise-level security management. They are in charge of managing, developing, and overseeing security systems and developing organizational best practices.
4. CCSP (Certified Cloud Security Professional)
Because many businesses are increasingly transitioning to the cloud, this certification is in high demand. The course is designed for IS and IT professionals who want to learn about cloud security architecture, design, operations, and service orchestration best practices. This is a must-have if you work with cloud systems.
5. CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)
This certification is aimed at information security professionals who work primarily in audit control, assurance, and security. It equips you with the knowledge and abilities you'll need to manage and control enterprise IT and conduct a thorough security audit.
6. Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP)
CASP is a certification offered by CompTIA. The CASP is for cybersecurity professionals who have demonstrated advanced skills but want to stay in the industry (as opposed to management). Enterprise security domain, risk analysis, software vulnerability, safeguarding cloud and virtualization technologies, and cryptographic approaches are among the advanced subjects covered in the test.
7. CompTIA Security+ certification
Cryptography, threat management, identity management, network access control, security systems, risk identification, and mitigation are all covered by this certification. It's aimed at people who are just starting in the IT field.
Which qualifications you choose will be determined by where you are in your profession, and each person's ideal list will be different. The final two certificates, for example, are best suited for entry-level IT employees, whereas the CISM and CISSP are for more experienced security specialists.
8. Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP)
The Cisco Network Security Engineer is responsible for the security of routers, switches, networking devices, and appliances and selecting, deploying, supporting, and troubleshooting firewalls, VPNs, and IDS/IPS solutions for their networking environments.
You can begin your journey in Network Security with this Free Network Security Course Online.
Final words
There's no better approach for an IT worker to become well-rounded than to gradually do a Stanford Cyber Security Course and earn certification in all of the following fields. Even the most seasoned cybersecurity professionals might benefit from a refresher course. Whether it's a newly found cyber threat or a new strategy to combat it, there's always something new to learn. Upskilling not only elevates your status within your company but also makes you a more marketable candidate if you decide to move on. Expertise, leverage, and independence are all benefits of upskilling.
Social Plugin