Top 10 Security Director Certifications

Certifications are important for a security director in the job market as they demonstrate that the individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their job duties. They also show employers that the security director is knowledgeable about the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in the industry. Additionally, certifications can help a security director stand out from other applicants and make them more attractive to potential employers. Finally, certifications can provide valuable networking opportunities with peers in the field, allowing the security director to stay up-to-date on developments in the industry and build professional relationships.

The purpose of this article is to review and explain how some of the top security director certifications can contribute to a successful career in security management.

What are Security Director Certifications?

Security Director Certification is a professional certification program designed to help security professionals gain the knowledge and skills they need to become successful security directors. It provides a comprehensive overview of security management topics, such as risk management, compliance, physical security, and IT security. Security directors are responsible for providing leadership and guidance in the development and implementation of effective security policies, processes, and procedures. As such, this certification is essential for any aspiring or current security director who wants to ensure their organization's security posture is up-to-date with industry best practices.

By obtaining this certification, individuals can demonstrate their expertise in the field of security management and increase their credibility among peers and employers. Additionally, it can help them better understand their role within an organization’s overall security strategy. Furthermore, having the certification may open new job opportunities for individuals looking to advance in the field of information security. Therefore, Security Director Certification can be an invaluable asset for anyone looking to become a successful security director or take on a higher level of responsibility within the field of information assurance.

Pro Tip: When considering a security director certification, make sure you research the program thoroughly to ensure that it meets industry standards and is recognized by professional organizations. Additionally, look for certifications that provide hands-on training and require continuing education credits to maintain your certification.

Related: What does a Security Director do?

Top 10 Security Director Certifications

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

1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is a globally recognized certification in the information security field. It is an independent information security certification that demonstrates proficiency and knowledge in designing, implementing and managing a best-in-class cybersecurity program. The CISSP credential is awarded by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2).

To become certified, candidates 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). Candidates can also qualify for the exam if they have four years of experience and a college degree.

The exam itself consists of 250 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within six hours. The cost for taking the exam is $699 USD for members of ISC2 and $999 USD for non-members.

Once you pass the exam, you will need to pay an annual maintenance fee to maintain your certification. This fee is currently set at $125 USD per year for members and $85 USD per year for non-members.

2. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is an internationally recognized certification for information security professionals. It is offered by ISACA, a nonprofit, independent organization that focuses on IT governance and assurance. The CISM certification is designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge and experience to manage, design, oversee and assess an enterprise’s information security.

The CISM exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes 4 hours to complete. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least 5 years of cumulative work experience in three or more of the job practice areas outlined in the CISM Job Practice Analysis.

To get the CISM certification, applicants must first register with ISACA online or by mail. After registering, they will need to pay an application fee of $575 USD ($415 USD for ISACA members). Once approved, applicants can schedule their exam through Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide.

After passing the exam, applicants will need to submit a signed Code of Professional Ethics form and complete a minimum of 20 continuing professional education (CPE) credits every year in order to maintain their certification status. The cost of maintaining the CISM certification varies depending on how many CPE credits are required each year; it typically ranges from $50-$150 USD per year.

3. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a certification offered by the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council). It is designed to give individuals the skills and knowledge needed to identify, assess, and counter security threats in an ethical manner. The certification is aimed at individuals who are interested in pursuing a career as an ethical hacker or information security professional.

The CEH exam consists of 125 multiple choice questions that must be completed within four hours. The exam covers topics such as network security, cryptography, system security, malware analysis, and more. To become certified, candidates must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost of the CEH certification varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it can range from $500 to $1,000 for the course materials and exam fees. Some organizations also offer discounts for members or students who are studying for their certification.

In order to get certified as an ethical hacker, you will need to complete a training program that covers all of the topics covered in the exam. Most programs can be completed online or through self-study materials that are available through EC-Council's website. Once you have completed your training program and passed the exam, you will receive your official CEH certification card and certificate from EC-Council.

4. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is a vendor-neutral certification that validates the baseline skills necessary to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career. It is designed to demonstrate competency in system security, network infrastructure, access control, cryptography, assessments and audits, as well as disaster recovery and incident response.

The certification exam typically takes 90 minutes to complete and consists of 90 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as risk management, network security, identity management and access control systems. To pass the exam, you must score at least 750 out of 900 points.

To get CompTIA Security+, you must first register for the exam through CompTIA's website or through a testing center. You can then take the exam either online or at an authorized testing center. After passing the exam, you will receive your certification from CompTIA.

The cost of taking the CompTIA Security+ exam varies depending on where you take it and which version of the test you are taking (SY0-501 or SY0-601). Generally speaking, it costs around $330 USD to take the SY0-501 version of the test and around $350 USD for the SY0-601 version.

5. GIAC Security Leadership Certification (GSLC)

GIAC Security Leadership Certification (GSLC) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to lead an organization’s security efforts. The certification is intended for IT professionals with at least five years of experience in information security, risk management, or related fields.

The GSLC exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours. The exam covers topics such as security management, risk management, incident response, compliance, and cryptography.

To get the GSLC certification, you must pass the GSLC exam with a score of 70% or higher. You can register for the exam through GIAC's website and pay a fee of $1,899 USD. Once you have registered and paid for the exam, you will receive access to study materials and practice tests to help you prepare for the exam.

Once you have passed the GSLC exam, you will receive your certificate from GIAC within 4-6 weeks. The certification is valid for four years and can be renewed by taking a recertification exam every four years.

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 provide professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to secure cloud computing environments. The CCSP certification requires a minimum of five years of cumulative, paid work experience in information technology (IT), including at least three years of information security and one year in one or more of the six domains covered by the CCSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK).

The CCSP exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 3 hours. A passing score is 700 out of 1000 points. To become certified, you must pass the exam and agree to abide by ISC2’s Code of Ethics.

To get your CCSP certification, you must first register for an account with ISC2. Once you have registered, you can then purchase your exam voucher from ISC2's website. The cost for the exam voucher is $599 USD. After purchasing your voucher, you can schedule your exam date with Pearson VUE, which administers the CCSP exam.

Once you have passed the exam and agreed to abide by ISC2’s Code of Ethics, you will receive your official CCSP certificate in the mail within 8-10 weeks.

7. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is a certification program offered by ISACA, an international professional association focused on IT governance. It is designed to help IT professionals understand the business risks associated with information systems and develop strategies to mitigate those risks. The CRISC certification is targeted at professionals who have experience in risk identification, assessment, evaluation, monitoring, and response.

The CRISC exam is a four-hour computer-based test consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least three years of cumulative work experience in two or more of the four domains covered by the CRISC exam: Risk Identification; Risk Assessment; Risk Response and Mitigation; and Risk and Control Monitoring and Reporting.

To get the CRISC certification, you must pass the exam as well as meet ISACA's requirements for continuing professional education (CPE) credits every three years. You can prepare for the exam by taking an official ISACA course or studying independently using self-study materials available from ISACA.

The cost of taking the CRISC exam varies depending on your country of residence. In the United States, it costs $575 for members of ISACA or $760 for non-members.

8. Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)

Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) is an advanced certification program offered by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, Inc. (ISC2). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge of secure software development principles and practices. The CSSLP credential is a globally recognized certification that provides assurance to employers and customers that software developers have the skills and knowledge necessary to develop secure applications.

The CSSLP certification requires applicants to pass a four-hour exam that tests their understanding of secure software development principles, processes, and techniques. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least four years of professional experience in software development or related fields.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the CSSLP exam. Applicants should spend time studying relevant materials such as books, online courses, and practice exams. Additionally, they should gain hands-on experience with secure software development techniques through projects or internships.

The cost of the CSSLP exam varies depending on the country where it is taken but generally ranges from $500-$700 USD. The fee includes access to study materials and a one-year membership in ISC2 which provides additional resources such as webinars and networking opportunities with other certified professionals.

Once an applicant has passed the exam they will receive their official CSSLP certification which is valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

9. EC-Council Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C|CISO)

The EC-Council Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C|CISO) is a certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and experience of senior security professionals. It is the first of its kind in the industry and provides a comprehensive framework for assessing an individual’s expertise in information security. The C|CISO program consists of five domains: Governance, Risk Management & Compliance; Asset Security; Security Engineering; Communications & Network Security; and Software Development Security.

The C|CISO certification requires a minimum of three years' experience in information security management, with at least one year as a manager or executive. Candidates must also pass an online assessment consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions. After passing the exam, candidates must complete an online application including their professional references and submit it for review by the EC-Council Certification Board.

The total cost for the C|CISO certification is approximately $1,500 USD. This includes the cost of the exam ($950 USD), application fee ($250 USD), and annual maintenance fee ($300 USD). The entire process typically takes between four to six weeks from start to finish.

10. ISACA’s Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT).

ISACA’s Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) is a globally recognized certification that validates an individual's knowledge and experience in enterprise IT governance. It is designed to recognize professionals who are responsible for the implementation, oversight, and assurance of an organization’s IT governance framework.

The CGEIT exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within three hours. The exam covers five domains: Framework for the Governance of Enterprise IT, Strategic Management, Benefits Realization, Risk Optimization, and Resource Optimization.

To get certified in CGEIT, you must first meet the eligibility requirements which include having at least five years of professional experience in one or more areas related to IT governance. You can then register and pay the required fees to take the exam. The cost of registration varies depending on your membership status with ISACA but typically ranges from $575 - $725 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will need to maintain your certification by completing continuing professional education (CPE) credits every three years. This requires earning at least 120 CPE credits during that period.

Do You Really Need a Security Director Certificate?

Security directors are an integral part of any organization, tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that their company’s data and assets remain safe and secure. In order to do this, it is important for security directors to have a good understanding of the industry and its regulations. As such, many organizations require their security directors to have a Security Director Certificate in order to perform their duties effectively.

The Security Director Certificate is designed to provide security directors with the knowledge and skills required for effective risk management and compliance within their organization. It covers topics such as risk assessment, incident response, security policies and procedures, data protection laws, ethical hacking, IT infrastructure security, physical security measures, and more. The certificate also provides fundamental training in business continuity planning and disaster recovery strategies.

Although having a Security Director Certificate is not mandatory for all organizations, there are some advantages associated with having one. For example, having a certificate can demonstrate that an individual has the necessary qualifications for a job as well as the commitment to stay up-to-date on industry best practices. Additionally, holding a certificate can help candidates stand out from the competition when applying for jobs since it shows that they are knowledgeable about current trends in the field of information security.

Overall, while it is not necessary to have a Security Director Certificate in order to become a successful security director or protect an organization’s data assets effectively, it can be beneficial in terms of demonstrating qualifications and staying competitive in the job market.

Related: Security Director Resume Examples

FAQs About Security Director Certifications

1. What is a Security Director Certification?

Answer: A Security Director Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the field of security management. It certifies that the individual has met the standards for security directors, and can be used to demonstrate their qualifications for various positions.

2. What are the benefits of becoming certified as a Security Director?

Answer: Becoming certified as a Security Director provides you with several benefits, such as increased job opportunities, higher pay, and greater credibility in the field. Additionally, it can help you develop your skills and increase your understanding of security management principles.

3. How long does it take to become certified as a Security Director?

Answer: The amount of time required to become certified depends on the certifying organization and the type of certification desired. Generally speaking, most certifications require approximately one year or less of study and preparation before taking an examination.

4. Who offers Security Director Certifications?

Answer: Several organizations offer security director certifications, including CompTIA, ISC2, Microsoft, Cisco and PMI-ACP. Each organization has its own set of requirements for certification eligibility and exams that must be passed before being awarded the certification.

5. Is there any ongoing maintenance required after getting certified?

Answer: Yes; many certifying organizations require ongoing maintenance or recertification in order to maintain their certification status over time. This often includes completing continuing education courses or other activities related to security management on a regular basis in order to stay up-to-date with industry changes and trends