Top 10 Information Security Analyst Certifications

Certifications are important for an information security analyst in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise that employers look for when hiring. They show that the analyst is knowledgeable in the field and has the necessary skills to perform their job. Additionally, certifications can help information security analysts stand out from the competition by showing that they have the specialized skills needed to protect organizations from cyber threats. Finally, certifications can provide a competitive salary advantage as organizations often reward certified professionals with higher salaries than their non-certified peers.

This article reviews the top certifications for Information Security Analysts and explains how they can help to advance an information security analyst's career.

What are Information Security Analyst Certifications?

Information Security Analyst Certification is a professional designation that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and expertise in the area of information security. It is typically awarded to those who have completed an approved course of study in information security and have passed a certification exam. This certification can help individuals gain employment in the field of information security, as it provides employers with evidence that the applicant has a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practices associated with information security. Additionally, having a professional certification indicates to employers that the individual is committed to staying current on industry trends and best practices. Furthermore, many companies offer bonuses or other incentives to employees who maintain their certifications, making it beneficial for professionals to stay certified.

Pro Tip: If you are looking to become an Information Security Analyst, it is recommended that you pursue a relevant certification. Certification programs provide a structured way for you to learn the fundamentals of information security and develop the skills needed to be successful in this field. Additionally, these certifications can demonstrate your knowledge and experience to potential employers.

Related: What does an Information Security Analyst do?

Top 10 Information Security Analyst Certifications

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

1. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is an advanced certification offered by ISACA, a global non-profit association focused on information security, assurance, and governance. The CISM certification is designed to recognize professionals who have the experience and knowledge to develop, manage, and assess an enterprise’s information security program.

It typically takes between four to six months of preparation time to pass the CISM exam. To qualify for the exam, you must have at least five years of experience in information security management within the last 10 years. You also need to have a minimum of three years' experience in each of the four domains covered by the CISM exam: Information Security Governance; Risk Management; Information Security Program Development and Management; and Information Security Incident Management.

To get your CISM certification, you must first register with ISACA and pay their fees. Then you'll need to take the CISM exam which consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 4 hours. After passing the exam, you will need to submit a professional background verification form as well as an endorsement from two existing CISM holders before you can receive your certificate.

The cost for taking the CISM exam is $575 for ISACA members or $760 for non-members. Additionally, there are other costs associated with preparing for and obtaining your certification such as books and study materials which can range anywhere from $100-$500 depending on what resources you use.

2. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an information security certification offered by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, also known as (ISC)². It is a globally recognized standard of achievement that confirms an individual’s knowledge in the field of information security. The CISSP certification is designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and experience in designing, implementing, and managing a best-in-class cybersecurity program.

The CISSP exam consists of 250 multiple choice questions and takes six hours to complete. To be eligible to take the exam, you must have at least five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains covered by the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Alternatively, if you have a four-year college degree or higher, you may qualify for the exam with four years of paid work experience in two or more domains.

To become certified, individuals must pass the CISSP exam and agree to abide by (ISC)²'s Code of Ethics. Once certified, individuals must recertify every three years to maintain their certification status.

The cost for taking the CISSP exam varies depending on your country/region and whether you are a member of (ISC)² or not. In general, nonmembers pay $699 USD while members pay $599 USD for the exam fee. The cost for recertification is $125 USD for members and $250 USD for nonmembers.

3. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is an information security certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in ethical hacking. It is designed to teach IT professionals how to identify, assess, and mitigate security threats from malicious hackers. The CEH program takes a comprehensive approach to ethical hacking by covering topics such as network scanning, vulnerability assessment, system hacking, web application attacks, cryptography, and more.

The CEH certification exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum passing score of 70%. The exam can be taken online or at a Pearson VUE testing center. It typically takes around 4 hours to complete the exam.

In order to become certified as a Certified Ethical Hacker, you must first complete the official CEH training course offered by EC-Council. This course covers all of the topics covered on the CEH exam and provides hands-on experience with various tools and techniques used in ethical hacking. After completing the training course, you will be eligible to take the CEH exam.

The cost of the CEH certification varies depending on where you are taking it from. Generally speaking, it costs anywhere from $500-$1000 for the training course and $500 for the exam itself.

4. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is an internationally recognized certification that validates the baseline skills necessary to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career. It is a vendor-neutral certification that covers the essential principles for network security and risk management, making it an important stepping stone of an IT security career.

The Security+ exam typically takes 90 minutes to complete and consists of up to 90 questions. The exam covers topics such as network security, compliance and operational security, threats and vulnerabilities, access control and identity management, cryptography, and more.

To get CompTIA Security+, you must first pass the CompTIA Security+ SY0-501 exam. To prepare for this exam, you can take a variety of courses offered by CompTIA or other vendors. You can also study on your own using books or online resources. After passing the exam, you will receive your CompTIA Security+ certification.

The cost of taking the CompTIA Security+ exam varies depending on where you take it. Typically it costs around $320 USD in North America or €280 in Europe.

5. GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) is a certification offered by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC). It is an entry-level security certification designed to demonstrate knowledge and skills in information security. The GSEC certification is ideal for those looking to get into the field of information security, or for those already working in the field who want to validate their knowledge and skills.

The GSEC exam takes approximately four hours to complete and consists of 125 multiple-choice questions. To obtain the GSEC certification, candidates must pass the exam with a score of 74% or higher. Candidates can prepare for the exam using self-study materials, such as books, practice exams, and online courses.

The cost of taking the GSEC exam varies depending on where you take it, but typically ranges from $500-$800 USD. Additionally, there are often discounts available if you register for multiple GIAC exams at once.

6. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) is a certification offered by (ISC)2, an international nonprofit information security organization. The CCSP is designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to design, manage, and secure cloud computing environments.

The CCSP credential requires five years of cumulative paid work experience in information technology, with at least three years in information security and one year in one or more of the six domains covered by the CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Candidates must also pass a rigorous exam that covers topics such as cloud concepts and architecture, cloud data security, cloud platform and infrastructure security, cloud application security, operations, and legal and compliance.

To get the CCSP credential you must first apply online through (ISC)2's website. After submitting your application you will need to pay a fee of $599 USD for members or $799 USD for non-members. Once your application has been approved you can register for the exam with Pearson VUE. The cost of the exam is $549 USD for members or $749 USD for non-members.

It usually takes around 6 months to prepare for the exam depending on your experience level with cloud security topics. It is recommended that candidates use study materials from (ISC)2 such as their Official Study Guide which includes practice exams to help prepare for the actual exam.

7. EC-Council Certified Incident Handler (ECIH)

EC-Council Certified Incident Handler (ECIH) is a certification program offered by the EC-Council that validates an individual's knowledge and skills in handling security incidents. The certification is designed to provide IT professionals with the skills they need to identify, respond, contain and recover from security incidents.

The ECIH certification requires candidates to have at least two years of experience in IT security or incident response. Candidates must also pass a three-hour online exam that covers topics such as incident identification, response and recovery, malware analysis, digital forensics and more.

The ECIH certification takes about three months to complete. Candidates must complete a self-paced training program before taking the exam. The cost of the training program varies depending on the provider but generally ranges from $400-$1000 USD. After completing the training program, candidates can take the exam for an additional fee of $500 USD.

Overall, obtaining the ECIH certification requires significant time and financial investment but it can be well worth it for those looking to advance their careers in IT security or incident response.

8. ISACA Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA)

ISACA Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA) is a certification offered by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). It is designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the areas of information security audit, assurance, control, and risk management.

It typically takes three to four months to prepare for the CISA exam. The preparation time can vary depending on your background and experience in information security. To get certified, you must pass a four-hour exam that consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. You must also have at least five years of professional experience in information systems auditing, control or security.

To get certified as an ISACA CISA, you must first register for the exam with ISACA. The cost of registering for the exam is $575 for ISACA members and $760 for non-members. You will also need to pay a fee of $50 when you submit your application form. After passing the exam, you will need to pay an annual maintenance fee of $45 to maintain your certification status.

9. ISACA Risk IT Certification

ISACA Risk IT Certification is a professional certification program designed to help organizations identify, assess, and manage IT risks. The certification is based on the Risk IT framework developed by ISACA, an international professional association for information security and assurance professionals.

The Risk IT Certification consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical application project. The written exam covers topics such as risk management principles, risk assessment techniques, risk management processes, and risk control strategies. The practical application project requires candidates to use the Risk IT framework to analyze an organization's existing risk management practices and develop recommendations for improvement.

The written exam takes approximately three hours to complete and the practical application project can take up to six months depending on the complexity of the organization's existing risk management practices. Candidates must pass both components in order to be awarded the Risk IT Certification.

The cost of obtaining the Risk IT Certification depends on whether you are an ISACA member or non-member. For members, it costs $575 USD for the written exam and $1,000 USD for the practical application project; for non-members it costs $775 USD for the written exam and $1,500 USD for the practical application project.

10. SANS/GIAC Global Industrial Cybersecurity Professional Certification (GICSP)

The SANS/GIAC Global Industrial Cybersecurity Professional Certification (GICSP) is a certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills required to protect industrial control systems from cyber-attacks. This certification is designed to provide assurance that an individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to secure industrial control systems.

The GICSP certification requires a minimum of 75 hours of study, including hands-on exercises and self-study. The exam consists of multiple choice questions, and applicants must pass with a score of 70% or higher in order to be certified. The exam fee is $1,299 USD.

In order to get the GICSP certification, applicants must first complete the SANS/GIAC Industrial Control Systems Security (ICS410) course. This course covers topics such as ICS security fundamentals, risk management, system hardening, incident response and forensics, secure communications protocols, and more. After completing the course successfully, applicants can then take the GICSP exam.

Once certified as a GIAC Global Industrial Cybersecurity Professional (GICSP), individuals will gain recognition for their expertise in industrial control system security and will be able to demonstrate their commitment to protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats.

Do You Really Need a Information Security Analyst Certificate?

The short answer is no. An Information Security Analyst Certificate is not a requirement to pursue a career in information security. However, it can give you an edge over other applicants when trying to land a job in the field.

Having an Information Security Analyst Certificate shows that you have taken the initiative to gain additional knowledge and skills related to information security. It also demonstrates that you are dedicated to keeping up with industry trends and have invested in your own professional development. Employers will view this favorably as it shows that you are serious about staying current with the latest technologies and strategies for protecting data and networks from cyber threats.

In addition, having an Information Security Analyst Certificate may be beneficial if you are looking to advance or switch careers within the information security field. It can provide employers with assurance that you possess a deep understanding of concepts such as risk management, incident response, computer forensics, and other areas of expertise related to the profession.

Ultimately, whether or not you need an Information Security Analyst Certificate depends on your individual goals and objectives. If you are looking for a way to stand out from other candidates and make yourself more attractive to potential employers, then obtaining a certification may be worth considering. On the other hand, if your primary focus is simply gaining experience in the field then there are many ways to do so without having a certificate.

Related: Information Security Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About Information Security Analyst Certifications

1. What certifications are available for Information Security Analysts?

Answer: Common certifications for Information Security Analysts include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC).

2. How do I obtain an Information Security Analyst certification?

Answer: To obtain an Information Security Analyst certification, you must pass a series of exams to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the field. You may also need to complete a training course or have work experience in the area.

3. What is the cost of obtaining an Information Security Analyst certification?

Answer: The cost of obtaining an Information Security Analyst certification varies depending on the certification you choose and the provider. Generally, costs can range from $500 to $4,000 USD or more.

4. How long does it take to obtain an Information Security Analyst certification?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to obtain an Information Security Analyst certification depends on several factors such as your prior experience and knowledge in the field, the type of certification you choose, and how quickly you can complete any required training courses or exams. Generally, it can take anywhere from 1-2 months up to 6 months or longer to complete all requirements for a given certification program.

5. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining an Information Security Analyst certification?

Answer: Yes, some certifications require that applicants meet certain prerequisites before they can apply, such as having a degree in Computer Science or related fields and/or having relevant work experience in information security analysis. Be sure to check with individual providers for specific requirements before applying for any given program.