Top 10 Information Security Specialist Certifications

Certifications are an important part of the job market for information security specialists. They demonstrate to employers that a candidate has the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in a particular area. Certified professionals have proven their abilities and can provide employers with assurance that they are up-to-date on industry trends, new technologies, and best practices. Certifications also help employers identify qualified candidates quickly and easily, which can save time and money when hiring. Finally, certifications can give information security specialists an edge over non-certified applicants in the competitive job market.

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

What are Information Security Specialist Certifications?

Information security specialist certification is a type of professional certification that verifies an individual's qualifications and expertise in the field of information security. This certification is typically awarded by a third-party organization, such as a professional organization or educational institution. The goal of this certification is to ensure that individuals who work in the area of information security are knowledgeable and competent in their field.

Having an information security specialist certification can be beneficial for those seeking employment or advancement in the field. Employers often view certifications as evidence that an individual has taken the initiative to gain additional knowledge and skills in their chosen field. This additional knowledge can help applicants stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs, particularly when employers are looking for specific qualifications or experience related to information security.

Additionally, having a certification can be helpful for those already working in the field. It is often used as evidence of expertise when applying for promotions or salary increases, and it can also make individuals more marketable when seeking new positions elsewhere. Additionally, many organizations require their employees to have certifications related to their job duties; having an up-to-date information security specialist certification may be necessary to maintain employment with certain organizations.

Pro Tip: When considering information security specialist certification, look for certifications that have been accredited by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2). Accredited certifications demonstrate that the certification program meets a high standard of quality and is recognized by the industry.

Related: What does an Information Security Specialist do?

Top 10 Information Security Specialist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Information Security Specialists 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 a vendor-neutral credential that demonstrates an individual's expertise in designing, implementing and managing a best-in-class cybersecurity program. It is the gold standard for information security certifications, and it is highly sought after by employers in the field.

To become CISSP certified, applicants must have at least five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains of the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Applicants who do not have five years of experience can still apply but must pass an additional exam to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

The CISSP exam consists of 250 multiple choice questions and takes up to six hours to complete. The exam costs $699 USD and is offered at Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide. After passing the exam, applicants must submit a signed endorsement form from an existing CISSP holder as part of their application process. Once approved, applicants will receive their official CISSP certificate from (ISC)².

The cost to become certified varies depending on whether you are already a member of (ISC)² or not; membership costs $99 USD per year for non-members or $49 USD per year for members. In addition to the cost of the exam and membership fees, there may be other expenses associated with studying for the exam such as books or online courses.

2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a certification program that provides an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the tools, techniques, and processes used by malicious hackers. It is designed to help individuals and organizations identify potential threats and vulnerabilities in their IT systems and networks.

The CEH certification program consists of five modules: Introduction to Ethical Hacking, System Hacking, Network Hacking, Web Application Hacking, and Cryptography & Security. Each module includes lectures, hands-on labs, and practice exams. The program takes approximately 40 hours to complete.

To get the CEH certification, you must pass the exam administered by EC-Council. The exam consists of 125 multiple choice questions that must be completed within four hours. The cost of the exam is $500 USD.

3. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is a vendor-neutral certification that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals in the field of information security. It is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in areas such as network security, risk management, compliance, and operational security.

The CompTIA Security+ exam typically takes 90 minutes to complete and consists of up to 90 multiple-choice questions. To pass the exam, you must score 750 or higher on a scale from 100-900. The cost for the exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $320-$360 USD.

To obtain the CompTIA Security+ certification, you must first pass the CompTIA Security+ exam. You can prepare for this exam by taking online courses or attending instructor-led classes. Additionally, you can find study materials such as practice tests and textbooks to help you prepare for the exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CompTIA Security+ certification.

4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is an internationally-recognized certification offered by ISACA, a global organization dedicated to the development, governance and assurance of information systems. The CISM certification is designed for experienced information security professionals who have a deep understanding of information security management principles and practices.

The CISM exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions and takes 4 hours to complete. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least 5 years of experience in managing, designing, or assessing enterprise-level information security programs.

To get the CISM certification, applicants must first register with ISACA and pay the associated fees. After registering, applicants must study for the exam using approved materials such as books or online courses. After passing the exam, applicants must submit an application for review by ISACA’s Certification Committee. Once approved, they will receive their official CISM designation.

The cost to take the CISM exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $500-$700 USD.

5. GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in information security. It is a vendor-neutral certification sponsored by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC). The GSEC exam covers topics such as network security, cryptography, system security, access control, and disaster recovery.

The GSEC exam takes approximately four hours to complete and consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Candidates must score at least 74% on the exam in order to pass.

To get certified, candidates must first register for the GIAC Security Essentials Certification program through the GIAC website. After registering, they will be given access to the online course materials which they can use to prepare for their exam. Once they have completed their preparation, they can schedule their exam with Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers.

The cost of the GSEC certification program varies depending on your location and other factors but typically ranges from $1,299 - $2,499 USD.

6. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) is a certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to secure cloud computing environments. The CCSP certification is offered by (ISC)2, an international non-profit organization focused on cybersecurity education and training.

The CCSP certification requires a minimum of five years of cumulative paid work experience in information security, three of which must be in one or more of the six domains covered in the exam. The exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions and takes up to four hours to complete. Candidates must score at least 700 out of 1000 points to pass the exam.

In order to become certified, candidates must first register for the exam through (ISC)2’s website and pay an associated fee. After registering, candidates can then schedule their exam date with Pearson VUE, an authorized testing center. Once the candidate passes the exam, they will receive their official CCSP certification from (ISC)2.

The cost for taking the CCSP exam varies depending on where you are located; however, it typically costs between $599-$699 USD per attempt.

7. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Security (MCSE:Security)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Security (MCSE:Security) is a certification program designed to provide IT professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to design, implement, and manage security solutions for Windows-based networks. The certification focuses on the areas of network security, data security, client security, messaging security, identity management, and secure access.

It typically takes around six months to complete the necessary training and exams required for MCSE:Security certification. The training consists of five core courses that cover topics such as Windows Server 2008 Networking Infrastructure Configuration; Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration; Implementing Network Access Protection; Designing Security for Microsoft Networks; and Implementing Advanced Network Security. Additionally, two elective courses must be taken in order to complete the certification requirements.

In order to get MCSE:Security certified, you must first pass four exams: 70-640 (Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration); 70-642 (Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration); 70-646 (Pro: Windows Server 2008 Administrator); and 70-647 (Pro: Windows Server 2008 Enterprise Administrator). After passing these exams you must then pass one elective exam in order to receive your MCSE:Security certification.

The cost of obtaining an MCSE:Security certification varies depending on the type of training you choose. Self-study materials can range from $100-$500 while instructor led classes can range from $2,000-$4,000. Additionally there are fees associated with taking the exams which can range from $125-$250 per exam.

8. EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND)

EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND) is a certification program designed to provide IT professionals with the knowledge and skills required to protect, detect, and respond to network security threats. The CND certification is an internationally recognized credential that validates a professional’s ability to implement, monitor, and maintain an organization’s network security posture.

The CND program consists of four courses: Network Security Fundamentals, Security Policy Implementation & Enforcement, Threat Detection & Mitigation Strategies, and Incident Response & Recovery Procedures. Each course is designed to teach students the fundamentals of network security and how to protect their networks from cyber-attacks.

It typically takes around six months for an individual to complete the CND program. To get certified as a CND, individuals must pass all four courses with a score of 70% or higher on each exam. Additionally, individuals must have at least two years of experience in information technology or cybersecurity before they can take the exams.

The cost for the EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND) program varies depending on which training option you choose. The self-paced online version costs $1,999 USD while attending an instructor-led course in person will cost $2,499 USD.

9. ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates expertise in information systems auditing, control, and security. The CISA certification is designed to measure an individual’s knowledge and experience in the areas of IS audit, control, and security.

It typically takes about six months to a year to prepare for the CISA exam. To get certified as a CISA, you must first pass the CISA exam and then submit an application to ISACA with proof of five years of professional experience in the field of information systems auditing, control, or security.

The cost for taking the CISA exam is $575 for members of ISACA and $760 for non-members. Additionally, there are fees associated with submitting an application for certification ($50) and maintaining your certification ($45).

10. Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA)

Check Point Certified Security Administrator (CCSA) is a certification program offered by Check Point Software Technologies. It is designed to provide IT professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage, configure, and troubleshoot Check Point’s security solutions.

The CCSA certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as network security, firewall configuration, VPN setup, and more. The exam is designed to test an individual’s understanding of the Check Point product suite and its features.

The CCSA certification generally takes about two weeks to complete depending on the individual’s experience level. The first step in obtaining the certification is to obtain a copy of the Check Point Security Administration course material from Check Point or an authorized training provider. Once you have completed the course material, you must pass a proctored exam in order to receive your CCSA certification.

The cost for obtaining the CCSA certification varies depending on where you take the course and whether or not you purchase any additional materials such as practice tests or study guides. Generally speaking, it will cost anywhere from $500-$1,000 USD for all materials and exams required for certification.

Do You Really Need a Information Security Specialist Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual circumstances and goals. If you are already working in the field of information security, then a certificate may not be necessary. However, if you are looking to further your career in this field or gain more specialized knowledge, then it may be beneficial for you to obtain an information security specialist certificate.

An information security specialist certificate can provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to properly assess and protect an organization’s networks, systems, and data from malicious attacks. It can also help you understand the legal implications of cybercrime and other threats, as well as how to develop policies that keep an organization secure. Additionally, having a certification may make you more attractive to employers who are seeking qualified personnel in the field of information security.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not obtaining an information security specialist certificate is right for your career path. It could be a valuable asset that helps further your professional development and opens doors for new opportunities in the future.

Related: Information Security Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Information Security Specialist Certifications

1. What certifications are available for Information Security Specialists?

Answer: There are a wide range of certifications available for Information Security Specialists including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA Security+, GIAC Security Essentials, and EC-Council Certified Network Defense Architect (CNDA).

2. How long does it take to become certified as an Information Security Specialist?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified as an Information Security Specialist depends on the certification chosen and individual preparation. Generally, it can take anywhere from weeks to months depending on the level of commitment and dedication put into studying for the certification exams.

3. What is the cost associated with becoming certified as an Information Security Specialist?

Answer: The cost associated with becoming certified as an Information Security Specialist varies based on the certification chosen and may include fees for exam registration, materials, and training courses.

4. What job roles can I apply for after becoming certified as an Information Security Specialist?

Answer: After becoming certified as an Information Security Specialist, you can pursue a variety of job roles including security analyst, system administrator, information systems auditor, IT security manager, and network security engineer.

5. Are there any additional resources available to help me prepare for my certification exam?

Answer: Yes! Many vendors offer practice tests or other study materials to help you prepare for your certification exam such as official textbooks or online study guides. Additionally, there are many forums online where experienced professionals share their advice and tips on passing your exams.