Top 10 Security Specialist Certifications

Certifications are important for a security specialist to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the industry. Security specialists must have a strong understanding of the principles, processes, and techniques used to protect an organization's data and systems. Certifications can provide evidence that they possess this knowledge. Furthermore, certifications can open up job opportunities with employers who seek out certified specialists because they know they have the necessary skills and training to do the job well. In addition, certifications can help security specialists advance their career by providing them with additional opportunities for professional growth and development.

This article reviews some of the top security certifications and explains how they can help a security specialist advance their career.

What are Security Specialist Certifications?

Security specialist certification is a type of professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the field of information security. This certification can be obtained by passing an exam and meeting certain requirements, such as having a certain amount of experience in the field. Security specialist certifications are highly sought after by employers, as they demonstrate that an individual has the skills and qualifications necessary to work in the field of information security. They also provide assurance that an individual can handle the responsibilities associated with protecting confidential data, preventing unauthorized access to systems, and responding to security incidents. Additionally, these certifications are often required for certain positions or industries, such as government or healthcare organizations. By obtaining a security specialist certification, individuals can demonstrate their commitment to staying up-to-date on industry best practices and gaining the skills needed to protect organizations from cyber threats.

Pro Tip: When considering a security specialist certification, make sure to research the accreditation of the program and any associated costs. It is important to ensure that the certification will be recognized in your field and worth the investment. Additionally, look for programs that offer hands-on experience and provide guidance from experienced professionals to help you learn best practices in security management.

Related: What does a Security Specialist do?

Top 10 Security Specialist Certifications

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

1. 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 one of the most sought-after certifications in the field of information security and is globally recognized. It proves that an individual has a comprehensive understanding of the core principles of information security, including risk management, cryptography, access control systems, and software development security.

The CISSP exam takes about 6 hours to complete and consists of 250 multiple choice questions. To qualify for the exam, candidates must have at least five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight domains covered by CISSP. Candidates who do not meet this requirement may still qualify if they have a four-year college degree or an approved credential from the (ISC)2 approved list.

To get your CISSP certification, you must pass the exam with a score of 700 points out of 1000 possible points. Once you’ve passed the exam, you will be required to submit an application to (ISC)2 for review and approval before your certification can be granted.

The cost to take the CISSP exam varies depending on where you take it but generally ranges from $700-$1000 USD. Additionally, there are several other costs associated with obtaining your CISSP certification such as training courses and study materials which can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on what resources you choose to use.

2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is a professional certification program designed to help individuals gain the knowledge and skills needed to identify, assess, and counter security threats. It is administered by the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council). The CEH credential demonstrates an individual’s expertise in ethical hacking techniques and their ability to think like a hacker.

The CEH exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. To become certified, applicants must pass the exam with a minimum score of 70%.

To get certified, applicants must first purchase an authorized training course from an EC-Council approved training provider. This training course will cover all of the topics covered on the CEH exam and prepare the applicant for taking it. After completing the training course, applicants can register for the exam through EC-Council's website or through an approved testing center.

The cost of obtaining a CEH certification depends on several factors such as location, type of training chosen, and other associated fees. Generally speaking, however, expect to pay anywhere from $1,000-$2,500 USD for everything including tuition fees for the authorized training course and registration fees for the exam itself.

3. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is a certification program offered by ISACA, an international professional association focused on IT governance. The CISM certification is designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge and skills to manage, design, and oversee an organization’s information security.

It typically takes around 6-12 months of preparation to get the CISM certification. To become certified, individuals must pass a four-hour exam that consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers four domains: Information Security Governance, Risk Management and Compliance, Information Security Program Development and Management, and Information Security Incident Management.

The cost of the CISM exam varies depending on your country of residence. In the United States, it costs $595 for ISACA members and $795 for non-members. Additionally, there is a one-time application fee of $50 for all applicants.

4. GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC) is a certification offered by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC). It is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to secure and protect information systems. The GSEC certification is intended for IT professionals who are responsible for designing, implementing, monitoring, and maintaining secure systems.

The GSEC certification requires that candidates demonstrate their understanding of security concepts, principles, and practices through a series of tests. Candidates must pass four exams in order to obtain their GSEC certification: two written exams covering core security topics, an online proctored exam covering specific security domains, and a hands-on lab exam.

The entire process typically takes three to six months to complete depending on how quickly the candidate can study and prepare for the exams. To get started on the GSEC certification path, candidates can register for courses or self-study materials from GIAC or other approved providers.

The cost of obtaining a GSEC certification varies depending on which provider you use. Generally speaking, it costs between $1,000 - $2,000 USD to take all four exams required for the GSEC certification.

5. CompTIA Security+

CompTIA Security+ is an industry-leading certification that validates the knowledge and skills needed to secure a network and protect data in any type of environment. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification that covers the essential principles for network security and risk management.

The Security+ exam typically takes 90 minutes to complete and consists of 90 multiple choice questions. The exam covers topics such as cryptography, access control, authentication, malware, vulnerabilities, threats, incident response and more.

To obtain the CompTIA Security+ certification, you must pass the Security+ exam (SY0-501). You can take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through OnVUE. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $320 to $400 USD.

6. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) is a certification program developed by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA). The CCSP credential is designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge and skills to secure cloud computing environments. It is an advanced-level certification that requires a comprehensive understanding of cloud security principles, practices, and technologies.

The CCSP exam consists of five domains: Cloud Concepts and Architecture; Cloud Data Security; Cloud Platform & Infrastructure Security; Cloud Application Security; and Legal, Risk, and Compliance. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and consists of 125 multiple-choice questions.

To earn the CCSP credential, candidates must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%. Candidates must also have at least five years of experience in information technology, with three years specifically in information security and one year in one or more of the five CCSP domains.

The cost for the CCSP exam is $599 USD. Additionally, there are study materials available from the CSA for purchase that can help prepare for the exam.

7. Certified Network Defender (CND)

Certified Network Defender (CND) is a comprehensive network security certification program developed by the EC-Council. It is designed to give IT professionals the knowledge and skills needed to defend enterprise networks from threats and vulnerabilities. The CND program provides a hands-on, interactive learning experience that covers topics such as network security fundamentals, security policies, risk management, access control, cryptography, firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), vulnerability scanning and more.

It takes approximately 4 months to complete the Certified Network Defender (CND) program. To get certified, you must pass the CND exam which consists of 150 multiple choice questions and requires a score of 70% or higher to pass.

The cost of the Certified Network Defender (CND) program varies depending on your location and training provider. Generally speaking, it can range from $2,500 - $3,000 USD for online self-paced training or up to $4,000 USD for instructor-led classroom training.

8. EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA)

EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA) is a certification program designed to provide cybersecurity professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to assess the security posture of an organization. The certification validates a professional’s ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate security risk in an organization’s IT infrastructure.

The ECSA program consists of two components: the ECSA course and the ECSA exam. The course covers topics such as network security, system security, cryptography, malware analysis, incident response and forensics, penetration testing methodology, and more. It takes approximately 40 hours to complete the ECSA course.

To get certified as an EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA), you must first take the ECSA course and pass the associated exam. The cost of taking the course varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically ranges from $1,500 to $2,500 USD. After successfully completing the course and passing the exam, you will receive your official EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA) certification.

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

ISACA’s Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have the skills and knowledge to identify, assess, control, and monitor IT risks. It is intended for professionals with at least three years of experience in IT risk management or information security management. To get the CRISC certification, applicants must pass a four-hour exam consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as risk identification, assessment, response and mitigation; IT governance; information systems control design and implementation; monitoring and reporting; and business continuity planning.

The CRISC certification process typically takes about six months to complete. Applicants must first register for the exam with ISACA by submitting an application form along with payment of the required fee. Once approved, they will receive instructions on how to schedule their exam date. After passing the exam, applicants must submit proof of professional experience in order to be awarded the CRISC certification.

The cost of obtaining the CRISC certification varies depending on whether you are an ISACA member or non-member. For members, it costs $575 USD while for non-members it costs $760 USD. The cost includes the registration fee for the exam as well as any additional fees associated with obtaining professional experience documentation or renewing your certification every three years.

10. Microsoft Technology Associate: Security Fundamentals

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Security Fundamentals is a certification program designed to provide an entry-level foundation of security knowledge. It is intended for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in information technology, or those who want to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of network security.

The MTA Security Fundamentals exam covers topics such as authentication and authorization, encryption, malware, access control, network infrastructure, and risk management. The exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

In order to become certified as an MTA Security Fundamentals professional, you must pass the associated exam with a score of 700 or higher out of 1000 points. You can take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through Microsoft’s website. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location and method of taking it; however, it typically costs around $125 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive a digital badge that can be used to demonstrate your expertise in security fundamentals. Additionally, you will be listed in Microsoft’s official database as having achieved this certification.

Do You Really Need a Security Specialist Certificate?

Security specialist certificates are becoming increasingly popular for those seeking to enter the security field. While these certificates can be beneficial, it is important to consider whether or not they are necessary for your career goals.

For those looking to move up in their current place of employment, a security specialist certificate may be beneficial as it demonstrates that you have the knowledge and skills needed to do the job. Additionally, if you are applying for a job that requires specific certifications, such as those related to cybersecurity or IT security, then a security specialist certification could give you an edge over other applicants. A certificate can also provide access to more specialized training and resources that could prove invaluable in your career.

On the other hand, if you are already working in the security field and have years of experience under your belt, then a security specialist certificate may not be necessary. In this case, employers may value your existing experience more than any additional qualifications. Ultimately, it is important to weigh the benefits of obtaining a certificate against any potential drawbacks such as cost and time commitments before making a decision.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a security specialist certificate will depend on your individual circumstances and career goals. It is important to evaluate the potential benefits and drawbacks carefully before deciding if this type of certification would be useful for your particular situation.

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FAQs About Security Specialist Certifications

1. What types of certifications are available for security specialists?

Answer: There are a variety of certifications available for security specialists, including Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA Security+, and GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC).

2. How long does it take to become certified as a security specialist?

Answer: The amount of time required to become certified as a security specialist varies depending on the type of certification and the individual's experience level. Generally, it can take anywhere from several months to two years or more to complete all necessary requirements for certification.

3. What is the cost associated with becoming certified as a security specialist?

Answer: The cost associated with becoming certified as a security specialist varies depending on the type of certification and any applicable fees. Generally, certification costs can range from several hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars, depending on the chosen program.

4. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a security specialist?

Answer: Yes, some certifications may require prior work experience or training in order to be eligible for certification. It is important to research each specific certification program in order to determine if there are any prerequisites that must be met before applying for certification.

5. What benefits do I gain by becoming certified as a security specialist?

Answer: Becoming certified as a security specialist demonstrates your commitment and expertise in the field, which can lead to increased job opportunities and higher salaries. Additionally, employers may view you more favorably due to your credentials, which could result in promotions or other career advancements within your organization.