Top 11 Custodian Certifications

Certifications are important for a custodian in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has obtained an advanced level of knowledge and skill in their field. They can also be used to show potential employers that the custodian is committed to their profession, as well as providing evidence that they are capable of performing the duties required by the job. Certifications can give custodians a competitive advantage when applying for jobs, as employers may view them as more qualified than those without certifications. Additionally, certifications may provide custodians with access to higher salaries or other benefits.

The purpose of this article is to review and explain the value of some of the top certifications for Custodians and how they can help advance their career.

What are Custodian Certifications?

Custodian certification is a process that ensures the safety and security of financial assets. It is designed to provide assurance to investors that their investments are being kept safe and secure, as well as to protect them from potential losses. The certification process typically involves background checks, financial reviews, and other measures to ensure that custodians meet the highest standards of care when handling customer funds.

Custodian certification can help protect investors in several ways. First, it helps ensure that custodians are properly managing accounts by verifying they have adequate insurance coverage and are following all applicable laws and regulations. Second, it helps reduce the risk of fraud by ensuring that only qualified individuals are able to access customer funds. Finally, it provides customers with peace of mind knowing their investments are being kept safe and secure.

Pro Tip: When considering a custodian certification program, look for one that is tailored to the specific needs of your organization. Consider its flexibility in terms of length, cost and scope of instruction. Additionally, make sure the program includes hands-on experience with custodial equipment and techniques, as well as an emphasis on safety protocols.

Related: What does a Custodian do?

Top 11 Custodian Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Custodians today.

1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an information security certification developed by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2). It is a globally recognized standard of achievement that confirms an individual’s knowledge in the field of information security. The CISSP certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing, implementing, and managing a best-in-class cybersecurity program.

The CISSP exam consists of 250 multiple choice questions and takes 6 hours to complete. In order to be eligible for the exam, applicants must have a minimum of five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK).

In order to get certified, you must pass the CISSP exam. You can register for the exam through ISC2's website. The cost for the exam varies depending on your country and whether or not you are a member of ISC2. In general, it costs around $699 USD for non-members and $599 USD for members.

2. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is an internationally recognized certification for information security professionals. It is awarded by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). The CISM certification is designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and experience to design, implement, monitor, and maintain an enterprise-wide information security program.

The CISM exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours. To become certified, candidates must pass the exam with a score of at least 450 out of 800 points.

To qualify for the CISM exam, applicants must have at least five years of work experience in information security management or related roles. In addition, they must have a minimum of three years of full-time professional experience in one or more of the four domains covered by the CISM exam: Information Security Governance; Risk Management; Information Security Program Development and Management; and Incident Response and Recovery.

The cost for taking the CISM exam varies depending on ISACA membership status. For non-members, it costs $595 USD. For members, it costs $415 USD. The cost to renew your certification every three years is $50 USD for members and $70 USD for non-members.

3. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is a certification program offered by ISACA, an international association that promotes the use of information systems to improve organizational performance. The CRISC certification is designed to recognize professionals who have experience in identifying, assessing, and managing IT risks. It is intended for IT professionals who work in the areas of risk management, audit, compliance, security, and IT governance.

It typically takes about two years to complete the CRISC certification process. To become certified, individuals must first pass a written exam that covers topics such as risk identification and assessment; risk response and mitigation; control design and implementation; monitoring and reporting; and business continuity planning. After passing the exam, applicants must also demonstrate at least three years of professional experience related to risk management or IT governance within the past five years.

The cost of the CRISC certification varies depending on whether you are an ISACA member or non-member. For members, it costs $575 USD for the exam registration fee plus any applicable taxes. For non-members, it costs $815 USD plus applicable taxes.

4. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) is a certification program from the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2). It is designed to help cloud security professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in cloud security architecture, design, operations, and service orchestration.

It takes approximately six months to prepare for the CCSP exam. Candidates should have at least five years of experience in information technology, with three of those years specifically related to information security and one year in one or more of the six domains covered by the CCSP exam. It is also recommended that candidates have prior experience with cloud computing technologies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform.

To get the CCSP certification, candidates must pass an online multiple-choice exam administered by ISC2. The exam consists of 125 questions and has a four-hour time limit. The cost of the exam is $599 USD. Successful completion of the exam will earn candidates their CCSP credential.

5. GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) is a certification program designed to validate an individual's knowledge and skills in information security. It is administered by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC). The GSEC certification proves that an individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to protect their organization’s information assets from external threats, malicious software, and other cyber-attacks.

The GSEC exam consists of a multiple-choice test with 125 questions, which must be completed within four hours. To become certified, candidates must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

To get the GSEC certification, individuals must first register for the exam through GIAC’s website. Once registered, they will need to complete a series of online training courses provided by GIAC before taking the exam. After passing the exam, individuals will receive their official GSEC certificate.

The cost of getting the GSEC certification depends on how many courses you take and how long it takes you to complete them. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $1,000 - $2,000 USD depending on your specific needs.

6. CompTIA Security+ Certification

CompTIA Security+ is an internationally recognized certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in information security. It is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the core security concepts, tools, and procedures required to secure a network and protect data.

The CompTIA Security+ exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as risk management, network security, cryptography, access control, authentication, incident response, and disaster recovery.

To get CompTIA Security+, you will need to pass the SY0-501 or SY0-601 exam. You can take the exam at any Pearson VUE test center or online via ProctorU.

The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $320-$400 USD.

7. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Data Management and Analytics

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Data Management and Analytics (MCSE: Data Management and Analytics) is a certification that validates an individual's expertise in designing, building, and managing data solutions. It also covers the ability to analyze data with tools such as Microsoft Power BI, Excel, and Azure Machine Learning.

To become certified as an MCSE: Data Management and Analytics, you must pass two exams. The first exam is Exam 70-767: Implementing a SQL Data Warehouse, which covers topics such as data warehouse architecture, ETL processes, data warehouse security, and more. The second exam is Exam 70-768: Developing SQL Data Models which covers topics such as creating tabular models using DAX, creating relationships between tables in a database model, using Power Query to transform data sources into usable datasets for analysis.

It typically takes about three months of study time to prepare for the two exams needed to obtain this certification. To get started on your journey towards becoming an MCSE: Data Management and Analytics certified professional you will need to register for the two exams through Pearson VUE. The cost of the exams is $165 USD each.

8. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a certification program that was developed by the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council). It is designed to give individuals the knowledge and skills needed to identify, assess, and mitigate security vulnerabilities in computer systems. The CEH program provides a comprehensive ethical hacking course that covers topics such as network security, web application security, cryptography, malware analysis, and more.

The CEH certification exam consists of 125 multiple choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. To obtain the CEH certification, candidates must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

In order to become certified as an ethical hacker, individuals must first complete an approved training course from an EC-Council accredited training provider. A list of approved courses can be found on the EC-Council website. The cost of these courses varies depending on the provider but typically range from $2,000-$3,500 USD. After completing an approved course and passing the exam with a score of 70%, individuals will receive their official CEH certification.

Overall, obtaining a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification requires dedication and hard work but can open up many career opportunities in the field of information security.

9. ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is a globally recognized certification for professionals who design, implement and manage an enterprise’s information security program. It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge, skills and abilities in the areas of information security governance, risk management and compliance.

It takes approximately 18 months to prepare for the CISM exam. This includes studying the CISM Review Manual, attending training courses or seminars, participating in study groups and taking practice exams.

To become certified as a CISM, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have 5 years of cumulative work experience in information security within the past 10 years
• Pass the CISM exam
• Agree to abide by ISACA's Code of Professional Ethics
• Submit a signed application form with payment
• Maintain your certification through Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits every three years.

The cost of becoming certified as a CISM varies depending on which route you choose to take. The cost of the exam alone is $575 for ISACA members and $760 for non-members. Training courses can range from $1,000-$2,000 depending on length and quality of course material provided.

10. EC-Council Certified Secure Programmer (ECSP)

EC-Council Certified Secure Programmer (ECSP) is a certification program designed to help software developers and programmers create secure applications. The certification is designed to provide assurance that the programmer has the skills necessary to develop secure code and can identify potential security vulnerabilities in existing applications.

The ECSP certification program consists of two exams: the ECSP Core Exam and the ECSP Advanced Exam. The Core Exam covers topics such as secure coding principles, application security architecture, and secure coding practices. The Advanced Exam focuses on more advanced topics such as cryptography, authentication protocols, and application security testing.

It typically takes around six months to complete both exams and receive your certification. To get started, you must first purchase an exam voucher from the EC-Council website. The cost of the exam voucher for both exams is $1,199 USD. Once you have purchased your voucher, you can register for the exams at any Pearson VUE or Prometric testing center.

Once you have completed both exams successfully, you will be awarded your ECSP Certification which is valid for three years from the date of issue. You must recertify every three years by taking either one of the two available recertification exams or attending an approved training course in order to maintain your certification status.

11. ISACA Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT).

ISACA Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) is a certification program offered by ISACA, an international professional association for information security, assurance, and governance. CGEIT is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of enterprise IT governance. This certification is intended for those who are responsible for the development and implementation of IT governance frameworks within their organizations.

The CGEIT certification requires applicants to demonstrate knowledge and experience in five key domains:

1. Strategic Management

2. Benefits Realization

3. Risk Optimization

4. Resource Optimization

5. Performance Measurement

In order to obtain the CGEIT certification, applicants must pass an exam that covers all five domains listed above. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. Applicants must also have at least five years of relevant work experience in order to be eligible for the certification.

The cost of obtaining the CGEIT certification varies depending on whether you are an ISACA member or non-member. For members, the cost is $575 USD while non-members will pay $760 USD for the exam fee alone. Additional fees may apply if you choose to take a training course or use other resources to prepare for the exam.

Do You Really Need a Custodian Certificate?

When it comes to investing, a custodian certificate is a document that provides proof of ownership for an asset. This document is typically issued by a bank or other financial institution that acts as a custodian for the asset. It is important to have this document in order to protect your interests when it comes to investing and other financial transactions.

The answer to the question “Do you really need a custodian certificate?” depends on the type of investment you are making and the regulations associated with it. For example, if you are investing in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other securities, then most likely you will need some form of a custodian certificate. This document serves as proof that you own the asset and protects your rights in case of disputes or legal issues related to the investment. In addition, many states require investors to provide proof of ownership through such documents before they can buy or sell certain types of investments.

On the other hand, if you are investing in real estate or commodities such as gold or silver, then most likely you do not need a custodian certificate since these assets are not publicly traded and therefore do not require proof of ownership. However, it is still recommended that investors keep records of their investments and provide documentation when necessary. Furthermore, if you plan on investing large amounts of money into any type of asset then having some form of certification may be beneficial in protecting your interests in case something goes wrong with the investment.

Overall, whether or not you truly need a custodian certificate depends largely on what kind of investment you are making and what rules apply to it. If you are unsure about whether or not your particular situation requires one then it is best to consult with an experienced financial professional who can advise you accordingly.

Related: Custodian Resume Examples

FAQs About Custodian Certifications

Q1: What is a Custodian Certification?

A1: A custodian certification is a professional designation that demonstrates a person’s knowledge and experience in the field of custodial management. It is awarded by certifying organizations such as the Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) or the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA).

Q2: How do I become certified?

A2: To become certified, applicants must meet certain criteria, including educational requirements and practical experience. Applicants must then pass an exam to prove their knowledge of custodial management and demonstrate their ability to apply it in real-world situations.

Q3: What are the benefits of becoming certified?

A3: Benefits include higher earning potential, greater job security, increased credibility among peers and employers, access to specialized resources and networking opportunities, and more.

Q4: How long does it take to get certified?

A4: The time frame for certification depends on the specific organization offering the program. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from three months to one year or longer to complete all requirements for certification.

Q5: Are there any renewal requirements for custodian certifications?

A5: Yes, most certifications require annual renewal. This usually involves completing continuing education courses or taking an exam every few years in order to maintain your certification status.