A guide for understanding cybersecurity certifications

Cybersecurity certification programs exist in many formats. Generally, they serve two main purposes. The first is to train entry-level workers to use specific tools and technologies. The second reason is that professional certifications provide a way for more seasoned IT and computer networking professions to verify and show mastery of skills.

Like other computer science and information technology fields, professional certifications play a large role in cybersecurity employment and career advancement.

In this guide

• Professional certifications
• Professional prerequisites
• Cybersecurity organizations
• Academic certifications
• Academic prerequisites
• List of schools

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What’s the difference between cybersecurity certification programs?

Today’s cybersecurity certification programs can be broken down into two main categories: Professional cybersecurity certification programs and academic cybersecurity certification programs. 

Here’s how the two programs differ:

• Professional cybersecurity certifications are designed for people already working in the cybersecurity field (or closely-related IT and networking fields) to get trained on some of the latest tools and software to detect, prevent, and combat against cybersecurity issues. These certifications are used to show proficiency with specific technologies. CompTIA Security Plus is one example of a professional certificate that is a common entry-level professional cybersecurity certificate.(it is required for hiring by Department of Defense) JUMP TO THE PROFESSIONAL CYBERSECURITY CERTIFICATIONS

• Academic cybersecurity certifications are designed to provide students with a deep background into some of the current issues in the cybersecurity field. Examples of academic certification programs include Harvard’s online cybersecurity certification or the University of Maryland online undergraduate certification in cybersecurity. These courses generally pair with other coursework and certification programs to provide students with the necessary skills and experience to get started in the growing cybersecurity industry. JUMP TO THE ACADEMIC CYBERSECURITY CERTIFICATIONS

Cybersecurity certification programs for professionals

One defining characteristic of the cybersecurity field is that there are a number of certifications that qualify working professionals in specific skills. Many job postings and career positions in cybersecurity require some level of certification, so it’s a good idea to pay attention to what kinds of certifications are in demand depending on a career track or job type. 

A professional certification can also be a great way to land that first job within the cybersecurity field.

said Ken Dewey, the director of the cybersecurity program at Rose State College in a recent expert interview with Cybersecurity Guide. 

Some companies use certain data structures or network products and so they might require that their professional cybersecurity staff be certified. Examples of popular professional certifications include:

• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)*
• GIAC Security Essentials*
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Comp TIA Security +
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

* These courses are considered foundational and might provide a good starting point for people just getting started in the cybersecurity field. 

It is important to note that many cybersecurity certifications, even the ones considered foundational, sometimes require a combination of verifiable university coursework or a number of years of work experience. Sometimes certifying bodies might require both. Additionally, some certifications will charge fees to determine eligibility.

Increasingly, associate’s and bachelor’s cybersecurity programs are offering professional certification preparation as part of the course load. 

For example, Hossein Sarrafzadeh, a professor of cybersecurity and department chair of the cybersecurity department at Saint Bonaventure University said during a recent expert interview with Cybersecurity Guide,

Prerequisites for cybersecurity certifications

Regarding certifications, a prerequisite is something that is required of an individual before they are permitted to take a specific certification exam. Prerequisites will vary depending on the certification. 

Examples of prerequisites include requiring professionals to have a certain number of years’ experience or perhaps another certification that must be completed prior to the one they are trying to take. Another common prerequisite found in certifications is that the professional must take a specific course before being allowed to complete the certification exam. One example of a certification that has a prerequisite is the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). Individuals wanting to become CISSP certified will be required to have at least five years of paid, full-time experience in at least two of the eight (ISC)2 domains or four years paid, full-time experience in at least two of the eight (ISC)2 domains and a college degree. 

Another exam that has prerequisites is the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).  In order to take the CEH, individuals should first complete a formal CEH training course offered by EC-Council. Without formal training, those hoping to take the CEH exam must have at least two years’ experience in an information security-related field and an educational background in information security. They must also pay a nonrefundable eligibility fee and submit an exam eligibility form.

It’s important to note that there is a difference between a prerequisite and a recommendation.Some certifications have recommendations for the order in which the certifications should be obtained. For example, CompTIA recommends that professionals take the CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ before taking the CompTIA Security+, however, they do not require it. Therefore, if a professional felt confident in their abilities to pass the CompTIA Security+ without first taking the others, CompTIA would allow them to do so. 

Major cybersecurity certification organizations

While it might seem like there are countless cybersecurity certifications there are certain programs and credentials that are better recognized and respected than others. 

This doesn’t mean that there is no reason to get the less recognized certifications. Some organizations will require their employees to become certified in something that may not be as well known as other certifications. 

However, for professionals that are new to the field and just looking to obtain certifications that will be easily acknowledged by any company, it’s best to pursue the certifications offered by major organizations. Here are some organizations that offer certifications which are well known and highly respected in the cybersecurity space:

• (ISC)2 – The International Information System Security Certification Consortium
• EC-Council
• CompTIA
• GIAC – Global Information Assurance Certification
• ISACA

(ISC)2 

The major organizations listed in the previous section all provide numerous certification options. It’s beneficial as a cybersecurity professional to understand each of these organizations and the certifications that they offer. The International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, more commonly known as (ISC)2, is the organization behind the sought after CISSP certification. The (ISC)2 boasts itself on their website as “The World’s Leading Cybersecurity Professional Organization”. (ISC)2 is a non-profit with more than 140,000 certified members. Although (ISC)2 is most well known for the CISSP, they do offer other certifications as well. Here is a brief description of some of the certifications which can be obtained through (ISC)2:

• CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional One of the most sought after and most esteemed certifications in the cybersecurity world, the CISSP should be on the list of anyone hoping to be successful in the industry. The CISSP is not a beginner certification, but rather for those who are already experienced, high achieving cybersecurity professionals. The CISSP can help individuals already working in the field progress their careers. As a prerequisite for the CISSP, candidates must have a minimum of five years of cumulative, paid, full-time experience. That experience must cover at least two of the eight domains of the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Individuals with a degree may be granted a one-year experience exemption bringing the required experience down to four years. Read more about the CISSP certification. 

LOOKING FOR MORE INFO ABOUT THE CISSP CERTIFICATION INCLUDING EXAM PREP AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS? SEE OUR COMPLETE CISSP GUIDE.

• SSCP – Systems Security Certified Practitioner Professionals lacking five years’ experience shouldn’t count themselves out from obtaining an (ISC)2 certification just yet. The SSCP is a great certification for professionals looking to bring growth to their careers. Unlike the CISSP, the SSCP only requires a minimum of one-year working experience in one or more of the seven domains of the SSCP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). For professionals with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, that one year experience may be waived. Working to obtain the SSCP certification from (ISC)2 is ideal for professionals in any of the following positions: network security administrator, systems administrator, security analyst, and security administrator. Read more about the SSCP certification on the (ISC)2 website. 

• CCSP – Certified Cloud Security Professional Another (ISC)2 certification worth mentioning is the CCSP. The CCSP is a globally recognized certification that allows professionals the ability to showcase their skills in designing, managing, and securing data, applications, and infrastructure hosted in the cloud. As more and more organizations move their entire infrastructure to the cloud, the need for qualified cloud security professionals continues to grow. Much like the CISSP, the CCSP is not a certification for those just beginning their career, but rather for those who have already established a firm foundation within the field. Prerequisites for the CCSP include five or more years in a paid full-time information technology role. It also requires at least three of those years be in information security and one year must be in one or more of the six domains of the CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Earning the CISSP certification can be substituted for all of the other experience requirements. More information regarding the CCSP can be found on the (ISC)2 website. 

Other (ISC)2 certifications include CAP, CSSLP, HCISPP, CISSP-ISSAP, CISSP-ISSMP, Associate of (ISC)2.

EC-Council 

EC-Council is most well known for the Certified Ethical Hacker certification, which is more commonly known as the CEH. EC-Council, does, however, offer many other certifications besides the CEH. Rather than focusing on specific areas of knowledge, EC-Council markets more towards specific roles and titles. For example, when a professional looks at the certification programs on EC-Council’s website, they would see that the certifications look more like job titles: Licensed Penetration Tester, Certified Ethical Hacker, Security Analyst, Certified Chief Information Security Officer, and the list goes on. This can make it easy for those interested in a specific job to focus in on which certification they’d like to pursue. On the other hand, these certifications may be too specialized for individuals looking to cover a wide range of security skills. Here is a brief description of a few of the certifications which can be obtained with EC-Council:

• CEH – Certified Ethical Hacker This is by far the most well known of the EC-Council certifications. The CEH is widely recognized among security professionals. While the certification may include the word hacker in its title, it’s not just for those who work in offensive security. Anyone working within cybersecurity, whether offensive or defensive, can benefit from the CEH certification. EC-Council offers two main options for eligibility. First, individuals wishing to take the CEH exam can attend an official EC-Council CEH training. Attending an official training at an Accredited Training Center, via EC-Council’s iClass platform, or at an approved academic institution will make students eligible to take the CEH exam without any further eligibility application process. For those that wish to take the exam without going through official training, option two allows for professionals with at least two years of information security related experience to pay a nonrefundable eligibility application fee. After their application is approved, they may then take the exam. Read more about the Certified Ethical Hacker certification.

LOOKING TO BECOME A CERTIFIED ETHICAL HACKER? CHECK OUT OUR CEH PREP GUIDE INCLUDING EXAM INFO AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.

• ECSA – EC-Council Certified Security Analyst For those looking to pursue a career in penetration testing, the ECSA is often a good fit. While the CEH focuses on many different aspects of cybersecurity and offensive security, the ECSA focuses more on penetration testing. Penetration testing is a profession in which engineers attempt to offensively breach (legally and with permission) a target network or system. The prerequisites for the ECSA are similar to those of the CEH. Individuals can choose to take an official EC-Council ECSA training course making them immediately eligible for the exam or they can possess a minimum of two years’ experience in the cybersecurity field and go through the eligibility application process.  To read more about the ECSA certification, visit the EC-Council. 
• LPT – Licensed Penetration Tester Professionals looking to become a penetration tester (or progress their career as a penetration tester) may choose to continue onto the Licensed Penetration Tester certification after obtaining either the CEH, ECSA, or both. EC-Council’s website describes the Licensed Penetration Tester certification as their most challenging practical exam available. In order to pass the LPT exam, professionals must complete and document the entire process of a penetration test from start to finish. The penetration test completed must be in the format which is taught during the ECSA program. While there are no pre-defined prerequisites for the LPT, EC-Council suggests that this exam should be taken after completing the CEH and ECSA certifications as it builds off the knowledge learned and used during those exams. Learn more about the LPT certification here: https://cert.eccouncil.org/licensed-penetration-tester.html

Other certifications offered by EC-Council include (but are not limited to) CSCU, ECSS, EDRP, CHFI, CND.

CompTIA 

CompTIA certifications are some of the most highly recognized IT certifications available. CompTIA provides certifications in many different IT fields such as software development, computer networking, cloud computing, and of course, information security. CompTIA has four major “core” certifications which include CompTIA IT Fundamentals, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security+. While it may seem that three of the four certifications listed are not security-related, these certifications are used to lay the groundwork that the information security certifications will build from. 

• CompTIA Security+ The CompTIA Security+ is a great starting point for anyone looking to pursue a career in cybersecurity. The topics displayed within this certification provide broad coverage of general cybersecurity. The Security+ exam will cover items such as threats and attacks, architecture and design, risk management, and even cryptography. While there are no specific prerequisites for taking the Security+ exam, CompTIA recommends that professionals have their CompTIA Network+ certification and two years’ experience in IT administration with a focus on security. Check out the complete CompTIA Security Guide.

• CompTIA CySA+ The CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst, more commonly known as the CySA+, is a more advanced cybersecurity certification than the Security+. The CySA+ takes a deeper dive into topics such as threat management, vulnerability management, cyber incident response, and security architecture and toolsets. The recommended experience for the CySA+ is holding a Network+ certification, a Security+ certification or having equivalent knowledge and having a minimum of four years of hands-on information security or related experience. Read more about the CySA+ certification.

Other CompTIA certifications include (but are not limited to) CASP+, PenTest+,Linux+, Cloud+

GIAC

The Global Information Assurance Certification is an organization founded in 1999 to validate the skills of information security professionals. GIAC certifications are trusted by thousands of companies and government agencies, including the United States National Security Agency (NSA). GIAC certifications are based on SANS training. GIAC offers many different certifications in categories such as cyber defense, penetration testing, incident response, and forensics as well as a few others. Here are brief descriptions of a few GIAC certifications:

• GSEC – GIAC Security Essentials GSEC is one of the more entry-level certifications offered by GIAC. It certifies a practitioner’s knowledge of information security goes beyond simply knowing terminology and concepts. The goal of the GSEC is to validate an individual’s hands-on knowledge. There are no listed prerequisites for the GSEC, but those wishing to take the exam should have a working knowledge of IT security and networking. To find out more about the GSEC certification. 

• GMOB – GIAC Mobile Device Security Analyst GMOB is one of the more interesting certifications offered by GIAC because it allows professionals to show their abilities as they relate to mobile device security. Mobile devices are a major part of both our personal and professional lives. It is important to have well-qualified individuals to protect these devices that connect us together. The GMOB certification validates that the holders of the certification have demonstrated knowledge with regards to assessing and managing mobile device and application security. Read more about the GMOB certification.

• GCFA – GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst Professionals interested in pursuing a forensic analyst career would certainly benefit from obtaining the GCFA certification. The GCFA is a widely recognized forensic analyst certification that covers a wide range of forensic topics such as advanced incident response and digital forensics, memory forensics, timeline analysis, anti-forensics detection, threat hunting, and APT intrusion incident response. More information can be found regarding the GCFA certification. 

Other GIAC certifications include (but are not limited to): GCIH, GPEN, GCIA, GCFE, GNFA

ISACA

Previously known as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, ISACA now goes by its acronym only. According to their website, ISACA was incorporated in 1969 by a small group of individuals who recognized a need for a centralized source of information and guidance in the growing field of auditing controls for computer systems. Since then, thousands of IT professionals have gone on to obtain ISACA certifications. Here are brief descriptions of a couple of ISACA certifications: 

• CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor The CISA certification is a widely recognized certification that covers information security audit control, assurance and security. Holding a CISA certification proves that a professional is capable and knowledgeable enough to assess vulnerabilities, report on compliance issues, and institute security controls within an organization. Read more about the CISA certification.

CONSIDERING THE CISA EXAM? CHECK OUT OUR COMPLETE CISA CERTIFICATION PREP GUIDE.

• CISM – Certified Information Security Manager A step above the CISA is the certified information security manager (CISM). This certification is designed for those who would like to demonstrate their knowledge of information security management. According to the ISACA website, independent studies rank the CISM as one of the highest paying and sought-after IT certifications. As this is a management-focused certification, those looking to obtain it should have hands-on experience managing, designing, and overseeing an enterprise’s information security program. CHECK OUT OUR COMPLETE CISM CERTIFICATION GUIDE.

Other ISACA certifications include CGEIT, CRISC.

Deciding which certification to pursue

With such a long list of certifications that exist, it can often be difficult to determine which one is the best to choose. This becomes especially difficult when two certifications seem very similar to each other. For example, EC-Council offers multiple certifications for those looking to start a career as a penetration tester (ECSA and LPT), but CompTIA and GIAC both also offer penetration testing certifications as well (PenTest+ and GPEN). 

Unfortunately, in these scenarios, there is no definitive answer to which certification is better to pursue. If a professional has a company in mind that they would like to work for, it could be beneficial to see if that organization’s job descriptions list one certification over another. Aside from that, the best option is to simply research all of the organizations which offer the certifications and decide which one is the best fit. It also doesn’t hurt to pursue multiple certifications. If an individual held the ECSA, LPT, PenTest+ and GPEN certifications all at the same time, this would only help to show that they have the knowledge needed to a penetration tester. 

Cybersecurity certification programs for students

Academic cybersecurity certification programs

There are a few main differences between academic cybersecurity certification programs and other kinds of academic training like cybersecurity bachelor’s or cybersecurity master’s degrees. 

Certifications take less time to complete — sometimes they might be courses that last several weeks to a year or more. They also don’t require as many prerequisites like traditional undergraduate courses (like SAT or ACT scores, for example). 

Academic cybersecurity certification programs are great options for students that might have already completed a degree in a related field and are looking to make a career switch, or for students that want to explore what preparing for a cybersecurity career might be like before committing to a lengthier academic program. 

Below are two examples of different kinds of cybersecurity  programs:

Havard’s Cybersecurity: Managing Risk in the Information Age is a great example of an academic short course designed to help launch careers in the cybersecurity field. 

The course is divided into eight modules over eight weeks (the course description says that students are expected to dedicate roughly 10 hours weekly to the course). The goal of Harvard’s online cybersecurity certification is to guide students through the process of understanding different kinds of cybersecurity threats, how those threats present risks to businesses, and what steps companies and organizations can take to prevent cybersecurity threats and attacks. Additionally, the certification teaches students to learn about cybersecurity compliance and walks through when and how cybercrimes need to be reported to law enforcement authorities. 

The course outline, according to the eight modules looks like this:

1. Cybersecurity as a business risk
2. Identifying threats
3. Identifying important systems and assets
4. Leadership in managing cyber risk
5. Understanding your technology
6. Cyber risk and the law
7. Incident response
8. Designing and implementing a mitigation strategy

The course culminates in a certification from Harvard University’s Office of the Provost for Advances in Learning.

Another example is the University of Maryland’s Cybersecurity Certificate which offers comprehensive programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. 

Both levels require between 15 and 18 credit hours and are designed to be completed in a year. The undergraduate program is designed to help prepare students that have an undergraduate degree in another discipline to gain experience in computer networking prepare to take the necessary cybersecurity professional certification exams and be prepared to launch a career. 

The program does not require additional test scores such as the SAT or GRE, and transferring previous academic credit applicable to the program’s requirements is allowed.

The University of Maryland’s online cybersecurity certification has two tracks at the graduate level. Depending on background and career interest, students can choose between cybersecurity management and policy or cybersecurity technology and information assurance.

Both the undergraduate and graduate online cybersecurity certificate courses are eligible for scholarship and financial aid opportunities.

Academic cybersecurity certification program requirements

The coursework required to complete an academic cybersecurity undergraduate degree varies widely from school to school — and depending on the level of certification (post-baccalaureate vs postgraduate) for example. As a general rule, most academic certification programs require around 15 credit hours, which is equivalent to one semester of full-time study.

The key thing to keep in mind is that academic cybersecurity certification programs are intentionally designed to help students with a relevant background (computer science, mathematics, engineering, or relevant work experience) get specific training and expertise in cybersecurity topics. Essentially, the goal of these certification programs is to bridge the gap between previous experience and the requirements of the cybersecurity workforce.

Here’s one example of a cybersecurity certification program offered by Penn State and designed for prospective students with an undergraduate degree in a related field. Penn State’s program, which is called Information Systems Cybersecurity Certificate for Professionals is designed to help participants:

• Get up to speed on foundational cybersecurity technologies, processes, and systems.
• How to build and maintain information and data systems.
• How to take an interdisciplinary approach to analyze the security of modern information systems.
• Conduct penetration testing to understand vulnerabilities in cybersecurity infrastructure.

A couple of other factors and these are particular to Penn State’s program but offer an idea of some of the things to be on the lookout for when investigating related offerings: The credits earned during the post-baccalaureate cybersecurity certification can later be applied toward one of several master’s degrees in cybersecurity offered by Penn State. In addition, Penn State has been recognized by the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.

A listing of academic cybersecurity certification programs

This listing is compiled with the latest available information about academic programs that offer academic cybersecurity certification programs. This listing is not a ranking system by any means. Instead, it was created to help prospective cybersecurity certification students compare and contrast some basic information about the programs available. 

Many prospective students report that cost, program availability, and online versus campus options as the main points of interest when making comparisons between programs.