Top 10 Information Security Consultant Certifications

Certifications are important for information security consultants in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge in the field. Certifications provide employers with evidence that an individual has obtained the necessary training and qualifications to be successful in the role. Additionally, certifications signify that an individual is committed to remaining up-to-date on current trends, technologies, and best practices in information security. Employers also use certifications as a way to differentiate between applicants when making hiring decisions. Ultimately, having certifications can help information security consultants stand out from their competition, increase their credibility, and improve their chances of securing employment.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of certifications that can help Information Security Consultants advance their career and enhance their knowledge in the field.

What are Information Security Consultant Certifications?

Information security consultant certification is a type of professional certification that verifies an individual's expertise in the field of information security. This type of certification is designed to demonstrate that a person has the knowledge and skills necessary to provide expert advice and guidance on information security topics. It can be used as a way for employers to recognize the qualifications and experience of an individual in the information security field.

The certification process usually involves taking a series of courses, passing exams, and completing other requirements. The courses cover topics such as risk assessment, system architecture, data protection, incident response, cryptography, network security, and more. By obtaining this type of certification, individuals can prove their expertise in the field and make themselves more attractive candidates for job opportunities or promotions.

Certification also helps organizations ensure they have qualified staff members who can properly identify risks associated with their networks and systems and develop appropriate measures to mitigate them. It also provides assurance that IT professionals have been trained to identify potential threats before they become real problems. Finally, it can help organizations maintain compliance with industry standards such as those set by PCI-DSS or HIPAA regulations.

Pro Tip: When considering an Information Security Consultant Certification, look for programs that provide hands-on experience and industry recognition. Many certifications are highly specialized and focus on specific areas of expertise, such as risk management or network security. Look for programs that offer a comprehensive understanding of the field, and make sure to research the reputation of the certification provider.

Related: What does an Information Security Consultant do?

Top 10 Information Security Consultant Certifications

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

1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is a certification for information security professionals who have demonstrated their knowledge and experience in the field. It is administered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2).

The CISSP exam consists of 250 multiple-choice questions that cover eight domains of information security: Access Control, Telecommunications and Network Security, Cryptography, Physical Security, Business Continuity Planning and Disaster Recovery Planning, Legal Regulations and Compliance, Security Architecture and Design, and Operations Security. The exam takes six hours to complete.

To become certified as a CISSP professional you must meet certain prerequisites including having at least five years of experience in two or more of the eight domains covered by the exam. You must also pass an exam given by ISC2.

The cost of taking the CISSP exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $699 to take the exam. In addition to this fee there may be additional fees associated with preparing for the exam such as study materials or training courses.

2. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is an internationally recognized certification for information security professionals. It is offered by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). The CISM certification is designed to recognize those who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the field of information security management.

To become certified, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Have a minimum of five years of experience in information security management.
• Pass an exam that covers topics such as risk management, incident response, security architecture and design, and governance and compliance.
• Submit proof of continuing education credits every three years to maintain their certification.

The CISM exam typically takes about four hours to complete. The cost for the exam varies depending on where you take it, but it typically ranges from $500-$700 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam such as application fees or proctoring fees.

3. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a certification provided by the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council). It is an advanced security certification that validates an individual’s skills in ethical hacking and countermeasures. This certification helps to ensure that organizations have professionals with the necessary skills to protect their networks from malicious attacks.

The CEH exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions and takes four hours to complete. To obtain this certification, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. The cost of taking the exam is $500 USD for members and $750 USD for non-members.

In order to prepare for the exam, you can take a CEH training course offered by EC-Council or one of its authorized training centers. These courses typically last five days and cost around $2,000 USD. Alternatively, you can also self-study using books, online resources, and practice exams available through EC-Council or other vendors.

In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also meet certain eligibility requirements such as having at least two years of experience in information security or related fields and submitting an application with references from employers or peers who can vouch for your knowledge and experience in ethical hacking.

Once you have successfully completed all requirements for becoming certified, you will receive your CEH certificate which is valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

4. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is an industry-recognized certification that validates a person’s knowledge and skills in the area of network security. It is an entry-level certification that is designed to provide a baseline understanding of security principles and practices. It also helps individuals demonstrate their knowledge to employers.

The CompTIA Security+ exam typically takes about 90 minutes to complete and consists of 90 multiple-choice 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 the CompTIA Security+ certification, you must first pass the Security+ exam. You can take the exam at any authorized testing center or through an online proctoring service. You will need to pay a fee for the exam; the cost varies depending on where you take it but usually ranges from $250-$300 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will be awarded your CompTIA Security+ certification which is valid for three years from the date of passing. To maintain your certification after this period, you must earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or retake the exam every three years.

5. ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

The ISACA Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is an internationally recognized certification for information security professionals. It is designed to validate the expertise of those who design, build and manage enterprise-level information security programs.

It typically takes between six months and two years to prepare for the CISM exam, depending on the individual’s experience level and study habits. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in four hours.

To become certified as a CISM, individuals must meet certain requirements, including having at least five years of professional experience in information security management. They must also pass the CISM exam and demonstrate a commitment to continuing education in the field.

The cost of taking the CISM exam is $575 for ISACA members or $760 for non-members. Additionally, there are fees associated with maintaining your certification, such as annual membership dues and continuing professional education credits.

6. GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in information security. This certification is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of network security and covers topics such as cryptography, operating systems, network protocols, risk management, and security policies.

The GSEC exam takes approximately four hours to complete and consists of 125 multiple-choice questions. To become certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 75% or higher. The exam fee is $599 USD.

To get the GSEC certification, you must first register for the exam through GIAC's website. Once registered, you will be able to access study materials and practice exams to help prepare for the test. After successfully passing the exam, you will be awarded your GSEC certification which is valid for four years.

7. SANS/GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

SANS/GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) is a certification designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and skills related to incident handling and response. The GCIH certification is offered by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC), which is part of the SANS Institute.

The GCIH certification requires a minimum of two years of experience in incident handling, or equivalent education in information security, before taking the exam. To obtain the certification, individuals must pass a four-hour computer-based exam consisting of 125 multiple choice questions. The exam covers topics such as incident response processes and procedures, digital forensics, malware analysis, network security monitoring, security architecture and design, system hardening techniques, intrusion detection systems, log analysis tools and techniques, evidence collection and preservation methods, attack vectors and countermeasures.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the GCIH exam. It is recommended that candidates have a strong understanding of information security concepts before attempting the exam. Candidates should also be familiar with various operating systems (Windows/Linux/Mac OS X), networking technologies such as TCP/IP and routing protocols, scripting languages such as Python or Perl, malware analysis tools such as IDA Pro or OllyDbg and forensic tools such as EnCase or FTK Imager.

The cost of the GCIH exam is $799 USD for members of SANS Institute or GIAC Security Essentials Alliance (GSE) program holders; non-members pay $999 USD.

8. EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND)

EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND) is a certification program designed to help IT professionals develop the skills and knowledge necessary to protect and defend corporate networks from malicious attacks. The CND program focuses on teaching students how to identify and prevent threats, detect intrusions, respond to security incidents, and create policies to protect networks from future attacks.

The CND program consists of two parts: an online self-paced course and a proctored exam. The online course takes approximately 30 hours to complete, depending on the student’s prior knowledge. The proctored exam is administered by EC-Council at one of their approved testing centers.

In order to get the CND certification, you must first purchase the course materials from EC-Council’s website. Once purchased, you will be given access to the online self-paced course material. After completing the online course material, you will then need to schedule an appointment with an approved testing center in order to take the proctored exam.

The cost for the CND certification is $750 USD for both the online course material and the proctored exam fee.

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

ISACA Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is an IT certification program designed to help professionals understand and manage risk associated with IT systems. It is the only certification of its kind that focuses on the ability to design, implement, monitor, and maintain information systems that are secure and compliant with industry standards.

The CRISC certification is offered by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). To be eligible for the CRISC certification, applicants must have a minimum of three years of experience in at least two of the four domains covered by the exam: Risk Identification, Assessment & Evaluation; Risk Response & Mitigation; Information Systems Control Design & Implementation; and Information Systems Control Monitoring & Maintenance.

The CRISC exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 4 hours to complete. The exam fee is $595 USD for members of ISACA or $795 USD for non-members. The exam can be taken at any Prometric testing center worldwide or online through ProctorU.

Once you have passed the exam, you will need to submit an application for review by ISACA's Certification Committee. If approved, you will receive your official CRISC credential within 8 weeks from submission date.

10. Check Point Certified Managed Security Expert (CCMSE)

Check Point Certified Managed Security Expert (CCMSE) is a certification program from Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. It is designed to recognize IT professionals who have demonstrated expertise in managing, deploying, and troubleshooting Check Point security solutions.

The CCMSE certification requires successful completion of two exams: the Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) exam and the Check Point Certified Security Expert (CCSE) exam. The CCSA exam tests your knowledge and skills related to the installation, configuration, and management of Check Point security solutions. The CCSE exam tests your knowledge and skills related to advanced configuration, troubleshooting, optimization, and deployment of Check Point security solutions.

It usually takes around three months to prepare for the exams depending on how much time you can dedicate towards studying. You can find study materials online such as practice exams and training videos that will help you prepare for the exams.

To get certified as a CCMSE, you must first pass both the CCSA and CCSE exams with a minimum score of 70%. After passing both exams, you will receive your official certification from Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on where you take the exams. Generally speaking, it costs around $400-$500 USD per exam plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam at an authorized testing center or online proctoring service.

Do You Really Need a Information Security Consultant Certificate?

An Information Security Consultant Certificate is not a requirement for information security professionals, but it can be beneficial to have one. The certificate can show employers that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to work in the field of information security. It also demonstrates your commitment to staying up-to-date with industry developments and trends.

Having an Information Security Consultant Certificate can provide you with a competitive edge when applying for jobs or consulting opportunities in the field. Employers may prefer applicants who have earned a certificate as it shows that they are knowledgeable about the latest technology and cyber security threats. Additionally, having an accredited certification can help give you credibility, as employers will feel more confident that you are qualified to do the job correctly.

In addition to helping you stand out from other applicants, having a certificate can also help open doors to other career opportunities such as teaching or working in research and development. Some certificates may even allow you to become certified in specific areas such as data analytics or cloud computing. This could lead to higher salaries and better job prospects in the future.

Overall, an Information Security Consultant Certificate is not required but could prove beneficial if you want to demonstrate your expertise and gain credibility in the field of information security. It could also open doors for more career opportunities down the line.

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FAQs About Information Security Consultant Certifications

1. What are the benefits of an Information Security Consultant Certification?

Answer: An Information Security Consultant certification provides a comprehensive understanding of security best practices and procedures, as well as the ability to assess threats and recommend solutions. Certified professionals demonstrate a high level of expertise in areas such as risk management, data protection, access control, network security and compliance.

2. What are the different types of Information Security Consultant Certifications?

Answer: The most common certifications for Information Security Consultants include Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and CompTIA Security+.

3. How do I become certified as an Information Security Consultant?

Answer: To become certified as an Information Security Consultant, you must complete training courses in addition to passing the relevant exams for any certifications you wish to pursue.

4. How long does it take to become certified as an Information Security Consultant?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified as an Information Security Consultant will vary depending on your experience level, the type of certification you wish to pursue, and how much time you’re able to dedicate to studying for the exams. Generally speaking, it may take anywhere from several months up to a year or more depending on these factors.

5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as an Information Security Consultant?

Answer: Yes, most certifications have some form of prerequisite requirements that must be met before taking the exam such as having prior work experience or completing specific courses related to information security topics.