Top 10 Cyber Security Analyst Certifications

Certifications are important for a cyber security analyst in the job market because they demonstrate an individual's knowledge, skills and abilities related to specific areas of cyber security. They also provide employers with assurance that the analyst has the necessary qualifications to handle their responsibilities. Certifications can also be used to validate experience and help employers better assess the value of a candidate when hiring for a position. Furthermore, certifications can increase an individual's chances of getting hired, as organizations often prefer applicants who have attained certain certifications.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Cyber Security Analysts and explains how they can help to advance a cyber security analyst's career.

What are Cyber Security Analyst Certifications?

Cyber security analyst certification is a credential that is earned by professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in the areas of computer and network security. In order to obtain this certification, individuals must take a series of tests that measure their knowledge and skills in the field. This certification can be beneficial to those looking to advance their careers in the cybersecurity field, as it provides employers with an assurance that the individual has the necessary knowledge and expertise to perform the duties required. Additionally, having this certification sets individuals apart from other applicants when applying for positions. It also serves as proof that they are committed to learning more about the cybersecurity field and staying up-to-date on new technologies and trends. Furthermore, it can help an individual gain access to higher-level positions or better job opportunities within their organization.

Pro Tip: When researching cyber security analyst certification programs, make sure to look for programs that provide hands-on experience and real-world scenarios. This will help you gain the skills and knowledge necessary to become a successful cyber security analyst.

Related: What does a Cyber Security Analyst do?

Top 10 Cyber Security Analyst Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Cyber Security Analysts today.

1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an internationally recognized certification for information security professionals. It is administered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2). The CISSP certification is designed to demonstrate a professional’s knowledge and experience in designing, implementing, and managing an information security program.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to prepare for and pass the CISSP exam. To become certified, individuals must have a minimum of five years of cumulative paid full-time work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Alternatively, individuals can have four years of experience if they also hold a college degree.

To get started, individuals should review the CBK domains and begin studying for the exam. There are many resources available online such as practice tests, study guides, and online courses that can help prepare for the exam. Additionally, attending conferences and taking advantage of mentorship opportunities can be beneficial in gaining knowledge and experience in the field.

The cost to take the CISSP exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs between $699-$999 USD. This cost includes access to online materials as well as one attempt at passing the exam.

2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a professional certification program that teaches individuals how to identify, assess, and protect against security risks. It is offered by the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council). The CEH is designed for IT professionals who are looking to gain an in-depth understanding of ethical hacking and network security.

The CEH exam consists of 125 multiple choice questions and must be completed within four hours. To become certified, one must pass the exam with a minimum score of 70%. The exam covers topics such as system hacking, malware threats, social engineering, cryptography, and more.

To get the CEH certification, one must first complete training from an accredited provider. This training can take anywhere from five days to several months depending on the provider and type of course taken. After completing the training course, one can then register for the exam through EC-Council's website.

The cost to take the CEH exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $500 USD to take the exam at a testing center or online proctored environment.

3. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in the areas of network security, compliance, and operational security. It is designed to help IT professionals protect organizations from cyber threats.

The Security+ certification exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in 90 minutes or less. The exam covers topics such as risk management, cryptography, access control, authentication, and more.

In order to get the CompTIA Security+ certification, you must first pass the Security+ exam. You can take the exam at any Pearson VUE or Prometric testing center. The cost of the exam varies by country but typically ranges from $300-$400 USD.

Once you have passed the Security+ exam, you will receive your official CompTIA Security+ certification which is valid for three years from the date of passing. After three years, you will need to retake the exam in order to maintain your certification status.

4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is an internationally recognized certification awarded by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of information security management principles, practices, and procedures.

The CISM certification requires applicants to have a minimum of five years of experience in information security management, as well as passing an exam that covers four domains: Information Security Governance, Risk Management and Compliance, Information Security Program Development and Management, Information Security Incident Management, and Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity.

It typically takes around six months to prepare for the CISM exam. This includes studying the ISACA’s CISM Review Manual, attending review courses or seminars, and taking practice tests.

To get certified as a CISM, you must first apply for membership with ISACA. You will then need to register for the exam through Pearson VUE. The cost of the exam is $575 for members of ISACA or $760 for non-members.

Once you have passed the exam, you will need to submit your application for certification along with proof of your work experience in information security management. After your application has been reviewed and approved by ISACA's Certification Committee, you will be granted your Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) credential.

5. GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) is a certification program offered by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC). It is designed to validate an individual's knowledge and skills in the areas of system security, risk management, network security, incident response, cryptography, and organizational security. The GSEC certification is widely accepted as a benchmark for IT professionals who are responsible for protecting their organization’s information assets from cyber threats.

The GSEC certification exam typically takes two hours to complete and consists of 125 multiple-choice questions. To become certified, applicants must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

To get the GSEC certification, applicants must first register with GIAC and pay the applicable fee. Once registered, applicants can then schedule an appointment to take the exam at one of GIAC’s authorized testing centers.

The cost for the GSEC certification exam is $1,299 USD. This fee includes all materials necessary to take the exam as well as access to online study resources such as practice tests and tutorials.

6. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) is a certification program developed by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2). It is designed to validate an individual's knowledge and experience in cloud security architecture, design, operations, and service orchestration. The CCSP certification requires five years of cumulative paid work experience in information technology, with three years of information security and one year of cloud security experience.

The CCSP exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions that must be answered within 3 hours. The cost for the exam is $549 USD. To receive the certification, candidates must pass the exam and agree to abide by ISC2’s Code of Ethics.

To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that candidates take an approved training course or self-study using official study materials from ISC2. There are also practice tests available online to help familiarize yourself with the format of the exam. Additionally, there are several online forums where you can discuss topics related to cloud security with other professionals who have already taken the exam.

Once certified, CCSPs must recertify every three years by earning Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits or retaking the exam. CPE credits can be earned through attending conferences and seminars related to cloud security or completing approved courses or certifications from ISC2 or other organizations.

7. EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND)

EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND) is a certification program designed to help IT professionals develop the skills necessary to protect, detect, and respond to network security threats. The program focuses on hands-on training in areas such as network security fundamentals, perimeter defense, malware analysis, vulnerability assessment and management, incident response, and disaster recovery.

The CND certification program consists of two parts: the online course and the exam. The online course is self-paced and can take anywhere from two weeks to six months to complete depending on how much time you have available for studying. The exam is a proctored test that must be taken at an EC-Council authorized testing center. It takes about three hours to complete and covers topics such as network security fundamentals, perimeter defense, malware analysis, vulnerability assessment and management, incident response, and disaster recovery.

To get the CND certification you must first register for the online course through EC-Council's website. After completing the course material you will need to schedule a time to take the exam at an approved testing center. The cost of the CND certification program varies depending on where you purchase it from but typically ranges between $500-$1000 USD.

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

ISACA Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is an internationally recognized certification that validates a professional’s ability to design, implement, monitor, and maintain information systems controls to manage enterprise risk. The CRISC certification is intended for IT professionals who are responsible for the identification, assessment, evaluation, and management of IT risks.

It typically takes about 6-9 months to complete the CRISC certification process. To become certified, you must first pass a four-hour exam that covers four domains: Risk Identification, Risk Assessment & Evaluation, Risk Response & Mitigation, and Risk & Control Monitoring & Reporting. You will also need to have at least three years of work experience in two or more of the CRISC domains before you can take the exam.

The cost of the CRISC certification varies depending on your country or region. In the United States, it costs $575 for ISACA members and $760 for non-members. The cost includes registration fees and access to study materials such as practice exams and webinars.

9. EC-Council Certified Secure Programmer (ECSP)

EC-Council Certified Secure Programmer (ECSP) is a certification program designed to help software developers create more secure code. The certification is intended to provide developers with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify, analyze, and mitigate security vulnerabilities in their code. The ECSP certification is an intermediate-level credential that focuses on secure coding techniques for multiple programming languages, including C/C++, Java, .NET, PHP, and Python.

The ECSP certification requires candidates to pass a single exam which consists of 150 questions covering topics such as secure coding principles, secure coding practices, secure coding tools and technologies, cryptography basics, web application security concepts and practices, database security concepts and practices. Candidates must also complete a hands-on lab exercise before taking the exam.

It typically takes around 2-3 months for individuals to prepare for the ECSP exam. To get certified as an ECSP professional one must take the official exam offered by the EC-Council. The cost of the exam varies depending on where you take it but generally ranges from $500-$700 USD.

10. SANS/GIAC Penetration Tester Certification (GPEN)

SANS/GIAC Penetration Tester Certification (GPEN) is an internationally recognized certification that validates a person’s ability to conduct security assessments and penetration tests. It is designed for IT professionals who are responsible for assessing the security of their organization’s networks, systems, and applications. The GPEN certification is administered by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), which is part of the SANS Institute.

It takes approximately 8-10 hours of study time to prepare for the GPEN exam, depending on your level of experience with penetration testing. The exam itself consists of 150 multiple choice questions and must be completed within 4 hours. Upon successful completion of the exam, you will receive your GPEN certification.

The cost of the GPEN certification varies based on whether or not you are a SANS Institute member. For non-members, the cost is $1,499 USD; however, members receive a discounted rate of $999 USD. In addition to this fee, there may also be additional costs associated with purchasing training materials or attending a SANS training course prior to taking the exam.

Overall, obtaining the GPEN certification requires dedication and hard work but can open up new career opportunities in information security and provide recognition as an expert in penetration testing.

Do You Really Need a Cyber Security Analyst Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your goals and the type of work you are looking for. If you are interested in a career as a cyber security analyst, then a certificate may be beneficial. A certificate program can provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to enter the field, including principles of computer networks, information security, cryptography, and incident response.

Having a cyber security analyst certificate can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary qualifications to perform the job effectively. It also allows employers to easily identify qualified applicants and make informed hiring decisions. In addition, having a certificate may give you an edge over other job seekers who don’t have one.

However, it is important to note that having a certificate alone does not guarantee success in this field. Employers also look at experience, education level, and other factors when making hiring decisions. Furthermore, some jobs may require additional certifications or qualifications beyond what is offered in most entry-level certificates. Therefore, it is important to evaluate your own goals and determine if obtaining a certificate is necessary or beneficial for achieving them.

Related: Cyber Security Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About Cyber Security Analyst Certifications

Q1: What is a Cyber Security Analyst Certification?

A1: A Cyber Security Analyst Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and skills in the field of cyber security. It provides employers with assurance that the individual has the necessary training and experience to protect their data and networks from cyber threats.

Q2: What are the benefits of having a Cyber Security Analyst Certification?

A2: Having a Cyber Security Analyst Certification can lead to more job opportunities, better pay, increased knowledge in the field of cyber security, and enhanced credibility when dealing with clients or employers. It also serves as evidence of an individual’s commitment to keeping up with trends in the field.

Q3: What qualifications do I need to become a certified Cyber Security Analyst?

A3: The requirements vary depending on the certifying organization, but generally include passing an exam that covers topics such as network security, cryptography, malware analysis, risk management, intrusion detection and prevention systems, incident response procedures, and other related topics.

Q4: How long does it take to get certified as a Cyber Security Analyst?

A4: The amount of time needed depends on how much preparation you put into it. Generally speaking, if you dedicate enough time and effort to studying for your certification exam then you should be able to complete it within several months.

Q5: Are there any prerequisites for becoming a Certified Cyber Security Analyst?

A5: Yes, most certifying organizations require applicants to have some basic knowledge in IT or computer science before they can receive their certification. Some organizations may also require applicants to have specific work experience in cyber security-related fields before they can apply for certification.