The cybersecurity field is growing rapidly, and the demand for qualified professionals is high. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity, earning a certification is a great way to validate your skills and knowledge.

Cybersecurity certifications offer a variety of benefits for both individuals and organizations. For you as an individual, certifications validate your skills and knowledge, increasing your credibility and job prospects. They demonstrate your commitment to professional development, opening doors to higher-level positions and increased earning potential. In addition, certifications provide a structured learning path that guides you through essential cybersecurity concepts and best practices.

For organizations, cybersecurity certifications play a critical role in securing sensitive data and protecting against cyber threats. As a certified professional, you bring a higher level of expertise and skill to the table, reducing the risk of security breaches and data loss. Certifications also help organizations meet compliance requirements and industry standards, mitigating legal and financial risks. By investing in certified professionals, organizations can strengthen their security posture and build a more resilient IT infrastructure.

Here are five of the best cybersecurity certifications for beginners.

CyberSecurity Essentials+ (CSE+)

An excellent starting point for individuals new to cybersecurity. The CSE+ provides a solid foundation of essential security concepts, making it ideal for those looking to break into the industry or transition into a cybersecurity role. Earning the CSE+ means you understand fundamental security principles, including network security, threat actors, attacks, and incident response.

This certification is widely recognized by employers and can help you stand out in a competitive job market. It’s especially valuable for entry-level positions such as security analyst, help desk technician, or network administrator. In addition, CSE+ can serve as a stepping stone to more advanced certifications such as CompTIA Security+. Earning the CSE+ helps you build a strong foundation of knowledge and skills, setting the stage for a successful career in cybersecurity.

The CSE+ is relatively accessible and can be obtained through self-study or formal training courses. The exam covers a wide range of topics, but is designed to be accessible to individuals with limited prior experience. Invest the time and effort to prepare for and pass the CSE+ exam, and you can quickly advance your cybersecurity career and position yourself for future growth and opportunities.

CompTIA Security+

The CompTIA Security+ certification is an excellent choice for entry-level cybersecurity professionals because of its comprehensive coverage of fundamental security concepts. It provides individuals with a strong understanding of network security, threat actors, attacks, and incident response. By earning this certification, you demonstrate your commitment to the field and your ability to apply essential security principles.

In addition, Security+ is widely recognized by employers in the cybersecurity industry. It serves as a valuable certification that can help entry-level candidates stand out in a competitive job market. By earning Security+, you can increase your chances of securing entry-level positions such as security analyst, network security engineer, or security operations center analyst. This certification provides a solid foundation for further career advancement and opens doors to a variety of exciting opportunities in the growing field of cybersecurity.

To earn CompTIA Security+ certification, you’ll need to successfully pass a single exam. While there are no formal prerequisites, CompTIA recommends at least two years of IT administration experience with a security focus. In addition, a CompTIA Network+ certification may be beneficial as it provides a strong foundation for understanding network security concepts.

To prepare for the exam, you can use various study resources such as official CompTIA study guides, practice tests, online courses, and video tutorials. We recommend that you allocate sufficient time to study and practice, focusing on key areas such as network security, threat actors, attacks, incident response, and security operations.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is an excellent choice for entry-level cybersecurity professionals who want to specialize in offensive security. It helps develop a deep understanding of hacking techniques, allowing you to think like an attacker and identify vulnerabilities in systems. Adding the CEH to your resume demonstrates your ability to perform penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and other offensive security tasks.

This certification is highly valued by industry employers because it provides individuals with the practical skills necessary to protect organizations from cyber threats. CEH certification can lead to exciting career opportunities such as penetration tester, security consultant, or red team operator. It can also serve as a stepping stone to more advanced certifications such as Certified Penetration Testing Engineer (CPTE) or Certified Incident Handler (CIH).

To earn the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification, you typically have two paths:

1. Experience-Based Path:

• Minimum experience: You must have at least two years of work experience in information security.
• Proof of experience: You’ll need to provide evidence of your experience, such as job descriptions, project details, or certifications.
• Exam: After meeting the experience requirements, you’ll need to pass the CEH certification exam.

2. Education-Based Path:

• Official training: You can attend an official EC-Council training course. This course provides comprehensive training on ethical hacking techniques and methodologies.
• Exam: Upon completion of the training, you can take the CEH certification exam.

Regardless of the path you choose, the CEH exam itself covers a wide range of topics, including

• Footprinting and Reconnaissance: Gathering information about a target system or network.
• System Hacking: Exploiting vulnerabilities in systems such as operating systems and applications.
• Network hacking: Attacking network infrastructure, including routers, switches, and firewalls.
• Web hacking: Exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications.
• Wireless hacking: Attacking wireless networks.
• Mobile Hacking: Attacking mobile devices.
• Cryptography: Understanding cryptographic techniques and applications.
• Social Engineering: Manipulating people to gain unauthorized access.
• Incident Response and Digital Forensics: Responding to security incidents and examining digital evidence.

Successfully passing the CEH exam demonstrates your knowledge and skills in these areas, making you an asset in the cybersecurity field.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is widely recognized as the gold standard in the cybersecurity industry. It validates that you have a deep understanding of information security concepts and practices across multiple domains. Earning the CISSP demonstrates your expertise in areas such as security architecture, security operations and software development security.

This certification significantly enhances credibility and career prospects, opening doors to leadership roles and high-paying positions. Keep in mind that this is not an entry-level certification, but many beginners start studying for the CISSP early in their careers to gain a broad understanding of cybersecurity. The CISSP certification is aligned with global security standards and frameworks, making it invaluable for professionals working in multinational organizations. It provides a comprehensive overview of security best practices, enabling you to address complex security challenges and make informed decisions.

Keep in mind that there are several requirements for this certification, for example:

Experience Requirement:

• Minimum experience: You must have at least five years of cumulative, full-time work experience in two or more of the eight CISSP domains.
• Experience waiver: A four-year degree in information technology or a related field may waive one year of the experience requirement.

Exam:

• Comprehensive exam: You must pass the CISSP exam, which covers a wide range of cybersecurity topics, including security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communications and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security.

Endorsement:

• Ethical commitment: After passing the exam, you must obtain endorsements from two CISSP certification holders who can vouch for your experience and ethical conduct.

Code of Ethics:

• Professional conduct: You must agree to abide by the (ISC)² Code of Ethics, which outlines the professional and ethical standards expected of CISSP certification holders.

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is highly recommended if you are interested in IT auditing, control and security. It demonstrates your expertise in assessing and managing IT risk, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations, and implementing effective security controls. Adding this certification to your resume is a way to validate your skills in areas such as IT governance, risk management and control assessment, making you a valuable asset to organizations looking to strengthen their security posture.

This certification opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities, including IT auditor, security consultant, compliance officer and risk management specialist. It provides a strong foundation for advancing your career and taking on leadership roles within organizations.

To become a CISA, you must meet the following requirements.

Experience Requirements:

• Minimum experience: You must have at least five years of cumulative, full-time work experience in information systems auditing, control or security.
• Experience waiver: A four-year degree in information technology or a related field may waive one year of the experience requirement.

Exam:

• Comprehensive exam: You must pass the CISA exam, which covers a wide range of topics, including information systems audit processes; IT governance and management; information systems acquisition, development, and implementation; information systems operations and business resilience; and information asset protection.

Continuing Professional Education (CPE):

• Annual requirement: You must earn and report a minimum of 20 CPE hours annually.
• Three-year cycle: You must earn and report a minimum of 120 CPE hours over a three-year reporting cycle.

Code of Ethics:

• Professional conduct: You must agree to abide by ISACA’s Code of Ethics, which outlines the professional and ethical standards expected of CISAs.

Tips for Preparing for Cybersecurity Certifications

Preparing for a cybersecurity certification is not an easy task. Not only do you need to dedicate enough time to study and prepare for them, but you also need to have a clear understanding of the type of work you want to do, as this will determine which certifications you should focus on.  Here are some tips to help you effectively prepare for your cybersecurity certifications:

1. Start with the Basics: Ensure you have a solid understanding of fundamental IT concepts like networking, operating systems, and databases.
2. Choose the Right Certification: Select a certification that aligns with your career goals and interests.
3. Study Effectively: Create a study plan, use study materials, and practice with practice exams.
4. Consider Online Training: Many online platforms offer comprehensive cybersecurity training courses.
5. Join Online Communities: Connect with other cybersecurity professionals to share knowledge and experiences.
6. Gain Hands-On Experience: Look for opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, volunteer work, or personal projects.

By earning one or more of these certifications, you can demonstrate your commitment to cybersecurity and enhance your career prospects. Remember, continuous learning is essential in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.