Top 10 NOC Analyst Certifications

Certifications are important for a NOC Analyst in the job market because they demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and experience with specific technologies and processes. Certifications can help a NOC Analyst stand out from other candidates, as employers look for individuals who have proven their ability to learn and use new technologies. They also provide assurance that the candidate has the necessary skills to handle complex tasks associated with network operations. As technology continues to evolve, certifications help ensure that NOC Analysts stay up-to-date on the latest industry standards and best practices.

The purpose of this article is to review the best certifications for NOC Analysts and how they can help advance their career.

What are NOC Analyst Certifications?

NOC Analyst Certification is a professional certification for Network Operations Center (NOC) Analysts, which is designed to validate their skills and knowledge in network operations and monitoring. This certification can help NOC Analysts demonstrate their expertise in the field, as well as distinguish themselves from other professionals in the industry. The certification covers topics such as network architecture, protocols, troubleshooting techniques, security principles, problem-solving strategies, and analysis of network performance. It also provides training on how to use specific tools used by NOC Analysts such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), Wireshark (network protocol analyzer), and Splunk (data analytics platform). By obtaining this certification, NOC Analysts will be able to better understand the complexities of networks and develop their skills in order to better serve their employers and customers. Additionally, having this certification can help them stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs or promotions.

Pro Tip: Before enrolling in an NOC Analyst Certification program, make sure to review the prerequisites and course materials to ensure that you have the necessary skill set for successful completion of the program. Additionally, it is beneficial to seek out additional resources such as online forums and tutorials in order to enhance your understanding of the topics covered in the certification.

Related: What does an NOC Analyst do?

Top 10 NOC Analyst Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to NOC 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 a credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and experience in the field of information security. The CISSP certification is offered by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2).

The CISSP exam consists of 250 multiple-choice questions covering a wide range of topics, including access control, cryptography, risk management, business continuity planning and legal issues. To pass the exam, candidates must score at least 700 out of 1000 points.

To become certified as a CISSP, individuals must have at least five years of full-time paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains covered by the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). Alternatively, candidates may have four years of experience plus a college degree or other approved credential.

The cost to take the CISSP exam varies depending on which country you are taking it in. In the United States, it typically costs around $699 USD to take the exam. Additionally, there is an annual maintenance fee of $125 USD to maintain your certification status.

Overall, it can take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year to become certified as a CISSP depending on your level of preparation and experience.

2. Certified Network Defense Architect (CNDA)

Certified Network Defense Architect (CNDA) is a certification program designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to design, implement, and manage secure networks. The CNDA program is administered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2).

The CNDA certification requires candidates to have at least five years of experience in network security or related fields. Candidates must also pass an exam that covers topics such as network architecture, risk management, cryptography, network security protocols, and incident response.

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes four hours to complete. To prepare for the exam, candidates can take online courses or attend instructor-led classes offered by ISC2.

The cost of the CNDA certification varies depending on the country in which you are taking the exam. In the United States, it costs $599 USD for members of ISC2 and $799 USD for non-members.

3. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a professional certification program offered by the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council). The CEH program is designed to provide IT security professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to protect networks, systems, and applications from malicious attacks. It provides an in-depth understanding of the techniques used by hackers to gain access to systems and data.

The CEH program consists of five days of intensive classroom training and an exam that must be passed in order to become certified. The exam covers topics such as network security, cryptography, system hacking, web application security, malware threats, and social engineering.

In order to get the CEH certification, you must first complete a training course offered by an approved training provider. There are several providers offering courses online or in person. Once you have completed the course, you can then register for the exam through EC-Council's website.

The cost of the CEH certification varies depending on which training provider you choose and if you choose to take the exam online or in person. Generally speaking, it will cost between $800-$2000 USD for the entire process including the training course and exam fees.

4. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is an industry-leading certification that is designed to demonstrate a professional’s knowledge and skills in the field of cybersecurity. It is one of the most widely recognized certifications for IT security professionals, and it validates an individual’s ability to identify and manage risks related to network security.

The CompTIA Security+ exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of multiple choice questions. The exam covers topics such as network security, compliance, identity management, risk management, cryptography, access control systems, malicious software, disaster recovery planning and more.

To obtain the CompTIA Security+ certification, individuals must pass the exam with a score of 750 or higher on a scale from 100-900. Candidates can prepare for the exam through self-study or by taking courses offered by CompTIA or other training providers.

The cost of the CompTIA Security+ exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs between $250-$300 USD.

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 provide IT professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to identify, analyze, and respond to security threats. The GSEC certification focuses on the fundamentals of information security, such as network security, cryptography, authentication, access control, and system administration.

The GSEC certification exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within three hours. To obtain the GSEC certification, candidates must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

To get started on your GSEC certification journey, you will need to register for an account with GIAC. Once you have registered for an account, you can purchase the GSEC exam voucher from GIAC's website. The cost of the exam voucher is $899 USD.

Once you have purchased your exam voucher and scheduled your exam date, you will need to prepare for the exam by studying relevant materials such as textbooks or online courses. You can also take practice exams to help familiarize yourself with the topics covered in the actual exam.

Upon passing the GSEC certification exam, you will receive a digital badge that can be displayed on your resume or social media profiles. You will also receive a certificate from GIAC confirming your successful completion of the GSEC program.

6. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) is a certification program offered by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA). It is designed to provide IT professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to secure cloud-based systems, applications, and services. The CCSP certification is based on a comprehensive set of best practices for cloud security that are outlined in the CSA’s Cloud Security Alliance Common Body of Knowledge (CBK).

To get the CCSP certification, you must first complete an approved training course. The course typically takes between two and five days to complete. After completing the course, you must pass an exam administered by the CSA in order to receive your certification. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as cloud architecture, security controls, risk management, compliance, legal issues, and more.

The cost of the CCSP certification varies depending on where you take the training course and how long it takes. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500-$3,000 for the entire process.

7. Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) is an internationally recognized certification that validates a professional’s knowledge and experience in incident response and handling. The GCIH certification is designed to give professionals the skills necessary to detect, respond to, and resolve security incidents on networks.

The GCIH certification requires a minimum of two years of experience in information security or incident response. To get the GCIH certification, candidates must pass an online exam consisting of multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as network security, system forensics, malware analysis, and incident response processes.

The cost of the GCIH exam varies depending on the provider; however, it typically ranges from $500 - $700 USD. The exam can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center or remotely via online proctoring services. It takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete the exam.

8. Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA)

A Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA) is a professional certification offered by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC). This certification is designed to validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of security professionals who are responsible for monitoring, detecting, and responding to network intrusions.

To obtain the GCIA certification, an individual must pass a four-hour exam that covers topics such as intrusion detection systems (IDS), intrusion prevention systems (IPS), network traffic analysis, log analysis, malware analysis, and incident response. The exam consists of multiple choice and performance-based questions. Candidates must also demonstrate their ability to analyze real-world network traffic using Wireshark or another packet capture tool.

The cost of the GCIA exam varies depending on where you take it. In the United States it typically costs between $799 and $899. The cost may be higher in other countries.

In order to become certified as a GCIA, individuals must have at least two years of experience in information security or related fields. It usually takes approximately three months to complete the necessary training and prepare for the exam; however, this can vary depending on an individual's background and experience level.

9. EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND)

EC-Council Certified Network Defender (CND) is an industry-leading certification program designed to prepare IT professionals for the task of protecting, detecting and responding to network security breaches. The CND certification provides a comprehensive understanding of network security threats and countermeasures, as well as best practices for implementing secure networks.

The CND certification requires a minimum of 120 hours of training, which can be completed online or in a classroom setting. Upon completion of the training, candidates must pass an exam to receive the certification. The exam consists of 125 multiple choice questions and must be completed within four hours.

To become certified, applicants must first register with EC-Council and pay an application fee. After registering, applicants must complete the required training program before taking the exam. The cost for the CND certification varies depending on the type of training chosen; however, it typically ranges from $1,000-$2,000 USD.

Once certified, CND holders are expected to stay current on new developments in network security technology by completing Continuing Education Units (CEUs). CEUs are earned by attending conferences or workshops related to network security and can be used to renew their CND certification every three years.

10. ISACA’s Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

The Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is an internationally recognized certification offered by ISACA, formerly known as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. The CISA certification is designed to recognize professionals who audit, control, monitor, and assess an organization’s information technology and business systems.

To become a CISA-certified professional, you must have at least five years of experience in the field of information systems auditing, control, or security. You must also pass the CISA exam administered by ISACA. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as IT governance and management; IT acquisition, development and implementation; IT operations, maintenance and service management; protection of information assets; business continuity planning; and compliance with laws and regulations.

The exam costs $575 for members of ISACA or $760 for non-members. The cost includes an application fee of $50 for members or $70 for non-members. It typically takes around 4 months to receive your results from the exam after it has been taken. Once you have passed the exam and met the experience requirements, you will be awarded your CISA certification.

Do You Really Need a NOC Analyst Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual goals and career aspirations. If you are looking to pursue a career as an NOC Analyst, then obtaining a certificate is likely to be beneficial. An NOC Analyst Certificate can demonstrate that you possess the skills and knowledge necessary to work in this role, allowing employers to quickly identify your qualifications. It can also provide evidence of continuing professional development, which may help you stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs.

On the other hand, if you already have experience working in an NOC Analyst role, or if the job does not require formal qualifications, then obtaining a certificate may not be necessary. Ultimately it will depend on the requirements of the specific job and how much value you place on having an official certification.

Related: NOC Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About NOC Analyst Certifications

Q1: What is an NOC Analyst certification?

A1: An NOC Analyst certification is a professional credential for individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the areas of network operations and systems administration. The certification is designed to validate technical knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully troubleshoot, monitor, configure and maintain networks in a production environment.

Q2: What are the requirements for obtaining an NOC Analyst certification?

A2: To obtain an NOC Analyst certification, individuals must first complete specific training courses related to network operations and systems administration. After completing the coursework, they must then pass a comprehensive exam that tests their knowledge of networking concepts and technologies.

Q3: How long does it take to become certified as an NOC Analyst?

A3: It typically takes between four to six months to complete all of the necessary training courses and pass the exam required for certification. The exact timeline will depend on how much time you can dedicate to studying each day.

Q4: What are some common job titles associated with NOC Analyst certifications?

A4: Common job titles associated with NOC Analyst certifications include Network Operations Manager, Network Administrator, Systems Administrator, Network Engineer and System Architect.

Q5: Are there any prerequisites for taking the exam?

A5: Yes, there are certain prerequisites that must be fulfilled before taking the exam. These include having at least two years of experience in network operations or systems administration as well as completing specific training courses related to network operations and systems administration.