Cybersecurity certifications may not be required for the job, but they can have a big impact on a cyber leader's resume, such as a CISO or CSO, highlighting their expertise, increasing credibility, and opening up opportunities for advancement. Accelerate your career with.
It also helps senior cybersecurity professionals stay abreast of evolving threats, facilitates networking, and demonstrates compliance and risk management capabilities. “Certifications range from broad, covering all domains and functions of cybersecurity, including physical, technical, administrative, and operational, to deep dives into each domain, to specific hardware vendors and technology types. These range from being very strictly limited to the privacy policy, says Rebecca Herold, IEEE member and founder of the consulting firm The Privacy Professor.
However, before you start collecting certifications, take time to decide what type of cybersecurity activity you want to pursue, she advises. There's no point in trying to get a certification that covers activities and requires knowledge of skills you don't plan to use during your career.
Herold says there are many ways certifications can advance your career as a CISO.
- Validate cybersecurity skills related to relevant certifications.
- Establish your credibility as an expert by showing that you're committed to staying in your field rather than just hopping from one type of career to another. Employers want to invest time and effort into recruiting and training employees who will stay with them for the long term, rather than waiting until the next new job comes along to move on to another career.
- Many organizations give preferential treatment to those who have taken the time to acquire qualifications, allowing them to progress more quickly in their careers.
- Having your skills recognized within your industry is important to maintaining a long and successful career.
- You can create more networking opportunities, gain more knowledge, and find other job opportunities in the future.
- Demonstrate your understanding of standardized cybersecurity concepts learned by earning specific types of certifications.
- Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning, staying informed, and maintaining professional development.
- We support salary increases.
5 Cybersecurity Certifications to Advance Your Career
CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
“CISSP is designed for professionals who want to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of information security concepts and best practices offered by ISC2, an international not-for-profit membership association,” said William Wetherill, CISO at DefenseStorm. It is the most widely recognized certification.”
“This certification covers a wide range of security topics, including asset security, security engineering, and risk management,” Weatherill says. “The CISSP requires higher certification standards because it requires security professionals to have extensive work experience with remuneration and a recommendation from a well-regarded ISC2 CISSP holder.”
According to Weatherill, the knowledge and skills gained by earning the CISSP certification will help you develop an effective security strategy and implement best practices in your CISO role.
“If you really want to take your career to the next level, the highest tier certification for those going the technical practice route is the CISSP,” says Blue Mantis Security Practice Lead. says Jay Martin. .
Joe Evangelisto, CISO at NetSPI, says CISSP remains the de facto standard in the industry and is still in every CISO's job description.
Brian Neuhaus, CTO of Americas at Vectra AI, agrees that achieving CISSP certification should be a top priority for CISOs. “Holding a certification like this demonstrates that a security professional has the knowledge and technical skills necessary to implement and manage a best-in-class security program,” he said. say.
Although it's not an easy certificate to earn, Neuhaus says CISSP and other certifications should be goals that security professionals strive towards in order to effectively advance their careers. states. “Additionally, CISSP certification helps professionals gain the attention of employers during resume reviews, and for professionals already active in the field, it helps prospects who are being considered for promotion.” It makes you stand out,” he says.
To earn this certification, you must pass an exam and have at least five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the ISC2 CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Substitutions are permitted for the 5 year work experience requirement.
Fee: Depends on location of exam administration. For example, $749 in the Americas and Africa. UK, £585. EMEA, 665 euros.
CCSP – Certified Cloud Security Professional
A notable new certification from ISC2 is the vendor-neutral Certified Cloud Security Professional, said Sanjay Raja, vice president of product solutions at Gurucul. Recognized worldwide, his CCSP certification demonstrates that he has advanced technical expertise and understanding to effectively design, oversee, and protect data, applications, and infrastructure in the cloud. Masu.
Nick Harrahill, director of support at Spin AI, says as CISOs become more specialized, they may consider pursuing CCSP certification. “This is similar to a CISSP, but with more focus on cloud security. He is a good fit for a CISO because he supports or works heavily with cloud technologies,” he says.
To earn this cybersecurity certification, you must pass an exam and have at least five years of cumulative work experience in the IT field. For 3 years she will be engaged in information security and for 1 year she will be required to engage in one or more of his six domains of ISC2 CCSP CBK. Substitutions are permitted for the 5 year work experience requirement.
Fee: Depends on location of exam administration. For example, $599 in the Americas and Africa. UK, £479. EMEA, 555 euros.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The Certified Information Security Manager, offered by ISACA, is another important certification for CISOs because it is specifically designed for professionals responsible for managing and overseeing information security programs, according to Weatherill. and is a great way to demonstrate leadership.
“The CISM certification provides critical information on how to develop and implement an effective information security strategy that aligns with an organization's overall goals, covering a wide range of topics such as risk management, incident management, and information security governance. It’s important to the CISO role,” says Weatherill.
This certification provides the skills and knowledge needed to balance business operations with strong security measures and focuses on management and leadership skills, while the CISSP is more technical. “ISACA also offers a number of excellent certifications for CISOs, such as CISM,” he says. “This certification provides us with powerful tools and training to manage our program.
For CISOs looking to move further into the areas of governance, risk and compliance, or security management, ISACA's CISM is highly recommended, says Martin.
To earn this certification, you must pass an exam, apply for certification within five years of passing the exam, and have five years of information security experience. He must have at least three years of information security management work experience in three or more job practice analysis areas. Exceptions and substitutions are allowed for the five-year requirement.
Fee: The test fee is $575 for ISACA members and $760 for non-members. After passing the exam, candidates pay her a one-time $50 CISM certification application processing fee.
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Weatherill said Certified Information Systems Auditor is another required certification offered by ISACA for professionals responsible for auditing, monitoring and evaluating their companies' information security and business systems.
“The CISA certification is globally recognized and highly regarded in the IT industry. It takes professionals [validate] “CISA certification provides a deep understanding of how to identify, analyze, and assess information security vulnerabilities and risks,” Weatherill says. These skills are essential for CISOs to effectively perform their jobs and protect their organizations from cyber threats. ”
Corey Nachreiner, CSO at WatchGuard Technologies, says some certifications, such as CISA, are better suited for security professionals such as auditors. If auditing a company's cybersecurity is the focus of your work, ISACA's His CISA can help.
Martin agrees and says ISACA's CISA is highly recommended for CISOs seeking a career as an auditor or valuation specialist.
Additionally, risk-based certifications such as CISA support the CISO's primary role of understanding and managing IT risks to the business, adds Sohail Iqbal, CISO at Veracode.
To earn this certification, you must pass the exam and apply for certification within five years of passing the exam. Additionally, at least five years of specialized work experience in information systems auditing, control, or security is required. For at least two years she must be engaged within the CISA practice area. Exceptions and substitutions are allowed for the five-year requirement.
Fee: The test fee is $575 for ISACA members and $760 for non-members. After passing the exam, the candidate pays her one-time $50 CISA Certification application processing fee.
GIAC Strategic Planning, Policy and Leadership (GSTRT)
This GIAC Strategic Planning, Policy, and Leadership Certification from SANS Institute shows you have the knowledge and skills to take the next step in your career with the ability to create strategic plans that resonate with your business , says Frank Kim. Fellow at the Sands Institute.
“If you need to go beyond the technical details and communicate more effectively with senior executives and the board of directors, this certification helps you understand alignment with strategic goals, create roadmaps, build business cases, and understand security policies. “Show that you know how to create and lead. Lead your team to success,” he says.
To obtain this certification, you must pass an exam.
Fee: GIAC Certification Attempt, $979.
Although not required, certifications can take your career to the next level
Neuhaus said it's important to note that while a certificate is not required for a career in cybersecurity, the information it contains can be invaluable in navigating the industry. says. “That being said, the cybersecurity talent you need is not limited by the number of certifications you have,” he says. “Rather, professionals who are out-of-the-box thinkers and have other skill sets beyond technical skills, such as communication, multitasking, and management, have a well-rounded toolbox, especially in an ever-evolving landscape. It shows that you have.”
Neuhaus says it's important for CISOs to not lose sight of the other qualities, strengths and attributes beyond certifications needed to create a well-rounded, strong workforce with a multifaceted approach to cybersecurity. adds.
