Cyber security certificate jobs are those that require extra qualifications to attain. You may have a degree in cyber security (or “cybersecurity”) or a related field in programming or computer science. However, you’ll need certification to make the six figures that you probably dreamed of when you enrolled in your classes.
Read on to learn about a few certifications that make your cybersecurity applications way more competitive. Companies need security now more than ever as they rely on data processing networks to store, process, and transfer sensitive employee and consumer financial information. This means that cybersecurity opportunities will grow in the next decade, but it also means that the higher positions will become more competitive. Consider these certifications as shortcuts to the top.
Security+
A Security+ certification is awarded through CompTIA, an organization devoted to validating the skills of IT professionals through examinations. They evaluate professionals in IT fields to improve the global standard for employees in IT. Companies trust their examinations. Their Security+ certificate is probably the most essential, which is why it tops our list.
This certification gives you experience in assessing threats and vulnerabilities, managing network access and architecture, understanding cryptography, and managing/responding to network risks. Companies need threat analysis today, so they look for Security+ certificates on resumes.
Network+
Another CompTia certificate, Network+ assesses an IT professional’s foundations when it comes to network concepts. This certificate implies a working knowledge of network operations, security, construction, infrastructure, and troubleshooting. A cybersecurity professional will see a better return on their applications if they have a Network+ certificate.
Certified Systems Security Professional
This certificate (also called CISSP) can be obtained by passing exams offered by the ISC. They require 5 years of industry experience in cybersecurity and knowledge of 2 common security bodies to pass. This means that you’ll need work experience in network engineering, management, and architecture before passing their exam.
Certified Ethical Hacker
Becoming a Certified Ethical Hacker implies that your cybersecurity work has led you to government positions. Thus, the EC-Council offers this certificate to IT professionals with at least 2 years of relevant experience. It’s designed to denote experienced security professionals who can think ahead of hackers … by being one.
The Takeaway for Cyber Security Certificate Jobs
Cyber security certificate jobs do not require certification to attain, but in a competitive industry, they might as well. As cybersecurity becomes a more significant investment for companies that rely on their networks for safe transactions, their IT professionals will become more valuable. This will make them choosier of their qualifications. Therefore, certificates in cybersecurity offered by CompTIA, the EC-Council, the ISC, and others will make applicants more competitive in the coming decade.
If you’re a recent graduate in programming, computer science, or a related field, and you want to ensure that your application gets the right coverage, consider one of the above certification programs as a shortcut to your dream job. Employers want to see devotion to their framework and a working knowledge of diverse security techniques. Therefore, these certificates show them that you can hack it, literally and figuratively, in a competitive industry.