Unveiling the Top 5 Cybersecurity Certifications You Need in 2024 - Are You Prepared?

Are you aspiring to advance your career in cybersecurity or perhaps just stepping into the field? In the dynamic world of cybersecurity, certifications are the key to unlocking new opportunities and validating your expertise. This comprehensive guide introduces you to the top cybersecurity certifications for 2024, offering a detailed overview of each, along with insights into the demand and popularity of these certifications in the job market.

Certifications Overview:

Certification Interest and Demand:

Before diving into the details of each certification, let's gauge the interest and demand in the cybersecurity job market based on the number of certified professionals and job openings:

This table provides a snapshot of the interest and demand for each certification based on 2023 Cyberseek data.

Now, let's delve into the details of each certification:

1. CompTIA Security+

Objective: CompTIA Security+ lays the groundwork for cybersecurity certifications, covering general security concepts, operations, and threats.

Prerequisites: None, but two years of security-focused IT administration experience or CompTIA Network+ is recommended.

Exam Details: 90-minute exam with various question formats.

Exam Cost: $404

Career Opportunities: Systems administrator, security engineer, penetration tester, and more.

Average Salary: $121,653.

2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Objective: The CEH is widely recognized among security professionals, catering to both offensive and defensive cybersecurity roles.

Prerequisites: Two options - official EC-Council CEH training or at least two years of information security-related experience with an eligibility application.

Exam Details: Varies by region.

Exam Cost: Varies

Career Opportunities: Ethical hacker, penetration tester, security consultant, and more.

Average Salary: Varies by experience and location.

Additional Details: The CEH certification from EC-Council is a hallmark in the cybersecurity community. It caters not only to offensive security professionals but is equally beneficial for those on the defensive side. EC-Council provides two paths to eligibility: official training or relevant work experience. This flexibility makes CEH accessible to a broad spectrum of cybersecurity enthusiasts.

3. CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)

Objective: CySA+ focuses on incident detection, prevention, and response through ongoing security monitoring.

Prerequisites: CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, or equivalent knowledge, and at least 4 years of relevant experience.

Exam Details: 165-minute exam covering security operations, vulnerability management, and more.

Exam Cost: $404

Career Opportunities: Incident response analyst, cybersecurity engineer, threat hunter, and more.

Average Salary: $121,043.

4. ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Objective: CISM validates the ability to develop and manage an enterprise information security program.

Prerequisites: Five years of work experience across specific CISM domains.

Exam Details: Four-hour exam covering information security governance, incident management, and more.

Exam Cost: $575 (ISACA members), $760 (non-members)

Career Opportunities: Information security manager, risk consultant, CISM developer, and more.

Average Salary: $167,396.

5. ISACA Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

Objective: CRISC gains expertise in evaluating IT risks and designing information systems controls.

Prerequisites: Three years of information security program management experience.

Exam Details: Four-hour exam covering governance, IT risk assessment, and more.

Exam Cost: $575 (ISACA members), $760 (non-members)

Career Opportunities: Risk manager, security manager, IT manager, and more.

Average Salary: $133,616.

6. ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Objective: CISA confirms expertise in auditing IT and business systems.

Prerequisites: Five years of professional experience in systems auditing, control, or security.

Exam Details: Six-hour exam covering information systems auditing process, governance, and more.

Exam Cost: $575 (ISACA members), $760 (non-members)

Career Opportunities: IT auditor, compliance analyst, data protection manager, and more.

Average Salary: $154,500.

7. CompTIA PenTest+

Objective: PenTest+ ensures mastery in penetration testing, covering planning, reporting, and practical recommendations.

Prerequisites: CompTIA Security+ or equivalent knowledge, and 3-4 years of information security experience.

Exam Details: 165-minute exam with a passing score of 750.

Exam Cost: $404

Career Opportunities: Penetration tester, security consultant, vulnerability analyst, and more.

Average Salary: $109,814.

8. GIAC Penetration Tester (GPEN)

Objective: GPEN prepares technicians for effective penetration testing.

Prerequisites: Knowledge of Windows OS, networking, and basic cryptographic concepts.

Exam Details: Three-hour exam with a passing score of 75%.

Exam Cost: $979 (first-time test takers), $499 (with active related GIAC certification)

Career Opportunities: Penetration tester, ethical hacker, forensic specialist, and more.

Average Salary: $154,138.

9. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

Objective: OSCP is a gateway certification into penetration testing, proving expertise in ethical hacking.

Prerequisites: Completion of OffSec Penetration Testing with Kali Linux (PEN-200) course.

Exam Details: Unique exam simulating a live network with 23 hours and 45 minutes duration.

Exam Cost: Included in the $1,499 PEN-200 course.

Career Opportunities: Malware analyst, security specialist, penetration tester, and more.

Average Salary: $132,378.

10. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)

Objective: CASP+ covers hands-on skills for implementing cybersecurity solutions within policies and frameworks.

Prerequisites: Ten years of basic hands-on IT experience, with at least five years of broad hands-on security experience.

Exam Details: 165-minute exam with 90 questions.

Exam Cost: $509

Career Opportunities: Security architect, cybersecurity engineer, SOC manager, and more.

Average Salary: $109,814.

11. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Objective: CISSP is one of the best cybersecurity certifications, proving the ability to design, implement, and manage effective cybersecurity programs.

Prerequisites: Five years of experience in at least two of the eight CISSP domains.

Exam Details: Six-hour exam with 250 multiple-choice questions.

Exam Cost: $749

Career Opportunities: Chief information security officer, security administrator, security architect, and more.

Average Salary: $140,069.

12. Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) Security Expert (GSE)

Objective: GSE proves the highest level of expertise in various areas of the cybersecurity discipline.

Prerequisites: Awarded after earning six GIAC Practitioner Certifications and four GIAC Applied Knowledge Certifications.

Career Opportunities: Varied, including roles in writing, hands-on technical work, research, and more.

Average Salary: $154,138.

Conclusion:

This comprehensive guide equips you with the information needed to make informed decisions about your cybersecurity career path. Whether you're just starting or aiming for senior-level roles, the right certification can be your key to unlocking a successful and rewarding career. Stay ahead in the dynamic field of cybersecurity by investing in the right certifications and continually updating your skills to meet industry demands.