Why it’s on our list: The certification is clearly designed for an “early career” level of experience and is a vendor alternative to the CCNA.
CompTIA Security+
The CompTIA Security+ certification teaches risk analysis and automation across five domains: security concepts, operations, architecture, program management, and threats, vulnerability, and mitigation. Many businesses contributed to the development of Security+, including Microsoft, Deloitte, and Zoom. The Security+ certification opens up a variety of opportunities, including network security analyst, penetration tester, and security architect. The 90-minute test consists of multiple choice and 90 practice-based questions; candidates must score 750 on a scale of 900. Certificate holders must renew the certificate by taking 50 CEUs through the CompTIA Continuing Education program within three years. Note: CompTIA will likely stop testing in 2026.
Training and exam fees: $404, examination; $581, exam, retake, study guide; $US1,111, exam, retakes, study guide, hands-on lab training, exam preparation, e-learning
Why it’s on our list: CompTIA Security+ is the unanimous choice on all similar lists. This program teaches early career skills and is a widely recognized ISO/ANSI early career certification. CompTIA also publishes a number of cert-enabled professional development event courses. CompTIA is also a certification body often mentioned in the same list, and its advanced certifications, such as CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP), come with an average fee of 10%.
GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
The GIAC Security Essentials certification offers the same curriculum as CompTIA Security+. Topics covered include everything from cryptography and the cloud to incident management and endpoint security. GSEC is suitable for security managers, forensic analysts, and penetration testers who have an IT background but need to validate their knowledge as a practitioner. Candidates must score 73% or higher on a four-hour, 106-point, proctored online or on-site exam. Professionals must take 36 continuing professional education credits over four years to renew the GSEC, a standard for all GIAC certs.
Training fees: On-demand and in-person options are priced at local rates
Examination fees: $999; it also takes, US$899
Why it’s on our list: GIAC Security Essentials provides basic cybersecurity information that is perfect for “new InfoSec professionals.” GSEC is also part of the profitable GIAC certification ecosystem: The average premium pay for GIAC Network Forensic Analyst (GNFA) and GIAC Cloud Security Automation is 10%, while GIAC Security Leadership stands at 15%.
Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals focuses on the fundamentals of security, compliance, and identity. Vendor-specific certification provides instruction in Microsoft Azure, Entra, Preview, and Purview. A 45 minute test may have 40 to 60 questions across multiple choice, drag and drop, list building, and more. Candidates must wait 24 hours to retake and then two weeks for all retakes. Certificate holders can display their certificate on LinkedIn and a custom URL through their certificate dashboard.
Training fees: Students can take the course on demand and access the study guide for free. Alternatively, they can use a third-party training provider that offers online or local training materials at local market prices.
Examination fee: Varies by country (US$99)
Why it’s on our list: Although Microsoft offers many cybersecurity-related certifications, Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals is one that is clearly aimed at beginners, including students, new IT professionals, and business stakeholders. Curriculum closely related to governance, risk management, and compliance is preferred by 24% of hiring managers, according to ISC2.
Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
To obtain the Offsec Certified Professional certification, candidates must complete the related course, PEN-200: Penetration Testing with Kali Linux, and pass the following test. The course includes 10 modules, including information gathering, vulnerability scanning, client-side attacks, and remediation. Certification holders will have demonstrated the capabilities of penetration testing methods that are suitable for new roles, such as a forensic hacker, incident responder, or threat hunter. OSCP+ testing is fully functional, and testers must compromise systems within the lab environment.
OffSec does not enforce any requirements but recommends candidates to be familiar with TCP/IP networking, writing in Bash and Python, as well as Linux and Windows, which they can learn through the Network Penetration Testing Essentials Learning Path.
Training and workshop fees: OffSec includes courses and exams for US$1649 and as a one-year subscription including lab space for $2079 per year.
Why it’s on our list: OffSec is among the most important bodies that ensure offensive security. The average salary for an Offensive Security Certified Expert (OSCE) is 10%, and for an Offensive Security Exploitation Expert (OSEE) is 11%.
Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
The ISC(2) SSCP certification covers seven domains: security concepts, access control, incident response, cryptography, network security, systems and application security, and vulnerability identification, monitoring, and analysis. It is suitable for a variety of professionals, including security analysts, systems engineers, network analysts, database administrators, and security consultants. The three-hour test consists of 125 multiple-choice questions; candidates must score 700 out of 1,000 points to pass and undergo a process that confirms their professional knowledge. Those who lead the SSCP must abide by the ISC(2) code of conduct and pay an annual maintenance fee that supports the organization and its efforts, including a members-only network of cybersecurity professionals.
To qualify, SSCP requires one year of experience. Those with no experience requirement can pass it with an appropriate undergraduate or graduate degree in computer science or a related subject.
Training fees: The SSCP has many free resources, including an exam outline, flashcards, practice questions, and a study app, as well as paid options, such as the required US$90 training for 90-day access.
Examination fee: Varies by market (US$249 in North and South America)
Why it’s on our list: The program aligns with two of the top skills needed identified in the ISC2 Cybersecurity Workforce Study: application security and risk assessment, analysis, and management.
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