If you are considering a career in Cybersecurity, you’ve likely asked yourself “what certifications do you need for cybersecurity?” If that’s the case, then look no further! In this post, we’ll break down the top certifications and their prerequisites.
Why do you need a cybersecurity certification?
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, the cybersecurity field is poised for substantial growth, with information security analyst positions expected to increase by 32% from 2022 to 2033. The World Economic Forum further suggests that the global talent shortage among cybersecurity professionals could reach 85 million workers by 2023. Despite the increased national and global demand for cybersecurity professionals, the field remains highly competitive for those who are trying to get into cybersecurity.
In the cybersecurity industry, certifications show the cybersecurity skills you have and can be absolutely critical to your cybersecurity career trajectory.
So, ask yourself: Where do you see yourself in three years? Do you want to focus on a company’s security infrastructure, or do you want to be on the front lines? Or perhaps you want to be an auditor or pen tester, ensuring current systems work as they’re supposed to. For executives, maybe you just want a formal understanding of the systems supporting your company. Regardless of your goal, cybersecurity certifications can help fuel your trajectory.
Unlock Your Career Potential: The Top Cybersecurity Certificates and Who They’re For
CompTia Security+
The CompTIA Security+ certification is a global exam designed to determine an applicant’s baseline skills in key information security areas.
- Attacks, threats, and vulnerabilities
- Incident response
- Governance, risk, and compliance
- Enterprise environment architecture and design.
The CompTIA Sec+ exam costs $404 and study programs are available. Because of its comprehensive nature and global acceptance, many professionals find this to be a great core exam to demonstrate their capabilities in the information security space. Security+ is also considered one of the most popular certifications for aspiring cybersecurity professionals in 2025.
GSEC
Not sure where to start? The GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC) certification may be worth a look. Whether you are entry-level and looking to build your credentials, or an established industry professional, the GSEC can be a strong validation of your overall skills.
Topics run the gamut from user information and device access control and password management; to risk management; to cryptography.
As with some other certifications on this list, it meets the standards for certain US Department of Defense (DoD) directives and is thus a go-to for many government employees and contractors.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is considered the industry standard for professionals pursuing a career as an ethical hacker/penetration tester. It focuses on preparing IT professionals for enterprise-level security responsibilities, including testing and anticipating weak spots in systems. CEH v 13 also includes training on AI, making it a popular choice for those seeking exposure to artificial intelligence.
Key skills you need for CEH:
- Understanding Trojans, worms and viruses
- Hijacking web servers and applications
- Hacking wireless networks
- Cryptography
- SQL/code injection
- And more
The CEH exam costs $1,699 and is based on a self-study model, with multiple vendors providing courses. To be eligible, participants must either pass a course offered by the exam sponsor, the EC-Council; or possess two years of work experience in an information security-related field.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Known as “the world’s premier cybersecurity certification, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is high in-demand. CISSP is offered by the International Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) and is for individuals who have five years of experience. Individuals who lack the five-year experience requirement and pass the test can become an Associate of ISC2, which allows individuals to gain more experience and later become a full CISSP.
In addition to its global recognition, it fulfills the US. Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 8570.1, which makes it a critical resource for government employees, security consultants, and contractors employed as security professionals.
After obtaining CISSP, individuals can also pursue specializations including:
CISSP holders can also pursue specialized concentrations in three key areas:
- CISSP-ISSAP for the Information Systems Security Architecture Professional
- CISSP-ISSEP for the Information Systems Security Engineering Professional
- CISSP-ISSMP for the Information Systems Security Management Professional
These specializations help you stand out in your specialized work role and introduce you to a network of professionals who share your interests and skills.
Certified Information Security Auditor
The Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA) designation from ISACA is designed for professionals seeking a career in the auditing, controlling, and monitoring of an enterprise’s information technology systems.
Performing an information systems audit is a fast-growing field — according to ISACA, the average salary for confirmed CISA holders is $110,000+.
CISA holders must have relevant work experience in core practice areas and pay a fee. To be eligible for CISA, you need to have five years of experience in Information Technology or Information security audits. Hence, this certificate is meant for individuals already working in the field of audit and/or risk management.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) designation, provided by ISACA, is a key certification for technology professionals looking to transition to management roles.
Key skills you need for CISM:
- It builds on existing expertise to develop skills in information security management
- Governance
- Risk management
- Program development/management
- Incident management
CISM certification requires more than passing the exam. Security managers must have relevant full-time work experience in designated job practice areas and pay an application and exam fee.
Finding the right cybersecurity certification for you
The organizations mentioned above typically sponsor several certifications that target specific fields and/or niches.
An easy way to determine what certificate is right for you is to look at the requirements, job descriptions, and identify how your work and educational background align with the certificate. It is also important to consider what certificates interest you. While each certificate is valuable, some are more advanced or focus on specific areas.
You should also make the most of internet message boards, communities, and industry networking. Active threads on sites like Reddit and Quora debate the pros and cons of certifications for specific jobs and companies. And a quick LinkedIn search will turn up certification holders in your network, giving you trusted contacts for discussing your questions and concerns.
And don’t forget to join groups dedicated to cybersecurity in general, and to the various organizations offering the certifications below. The more you understand a target firm or industry’s current requirements, the better your chances are to make the most of your study time and the money you are investing in your career.
Results may vary, but a few job pathways worth exploring include:
Penetration Tester (Pen Tester)
ZipRecruiter Average Salary: $119k
Certifications to become a Penetration Tester
In addition to the Certified Ethical Hacker certification listed above, consider Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP/OSCP+). The Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP/OSCP+) is globally recognized and allows individuals to validate their penetration testing skills. The exam takes place over a period of 24 hours and requires individuals to break into various environments and write a report detailing their findings.
Cybersecurity Analyst
ZipRecruiter Average Salary: $100k
Certifications to become a cybersecurity analyst:
The CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification is a go-to in the field, blending an exam environment with hands-on questions. It covers key intelligence and threat detection techniques, effective responses, and key preventative measures, and is DoD-approved.
Becoming a cybersecurity analyst is a valuable stepping stone to more advanced roles in the space.
Cloud Security Professional
ZipRecruiter Average Salary: $96k
Certifications to become a cloud security professional:
ISC2’s Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) designation focuses on cloud architecture, design operations, and service orchestration. Recommended careers that should consider the CCSP include enterprise architects, security architects and consultants, and system architects.
Recent research has demonstrated that the cloud security market in the United States is projected to grow at a rate of 12.87% from 2025 to 2034, making cloud security certificates such as the Certified Cloud Security Professional highly in-demand.
IT/Enterprise Risk Manager
ZipRecruiter Average Salary: $111k
Understanding a firm’s enterprise IT risk – and implementing controls to eliminate, reduce, and mitigate that risk – requires a special combination of talents.
Certifications to become an IT/enterprise risk manager:
Many risk managers turn to the ISACA certification to become Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC). The Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) allows individuals to validate their experience in building resilient organizations, deliver value, and optimize risks. Additionally, CRISC addresses emerging technologies such as AI.
CRISC holders are well-suited to be part of the ongoing growth of the information security and risk management fields and can develop skills that will make them high-value targets for future management opportunities, given their holistic view of the enterprise.
IT Governance
ZipRecruiter Average Salary: Not Available
Another option for professionals interested in management and governance is ISACA’s Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) certification, billed as ‘framework agnostic” and “the only IT governance certification for the individual.’
With their understanding of full enterprise IT architecture and resources, and the ability to realize cross-enterprise optimizations, CGEIT holders average $141,000/year.
SOC Analyst
ZipRecruiter Average Salary: $97k
A security operations center (SOC) analyst works to monitor an enterprise’s IT infrastructure, and to protect it from threats — both real and theoretical. Analysts monitor network traffic, assess organizational weak points, and review logs and alerts for suspicious activity.
SOC analysts often work in teams, and their knowledge of a firm’s technology infrastructures makes them key elements in the overall enterprise security apparatus. This can make SOC Analyst a great step as you move towards a broader governance or management position.
Certifications to become SOC analyst:
There are a number of competing certifications in the space, including the well-regarded CompTIA CySA+, the EC-Council’s Certified SOC Analyst program, and the CISCO Certified CyberOps Associate designation.
Conclusion
The variety of cybersecurity certifications illustrates just how critical cybersecurity specializations have become. With options ranging from entry level to experienced professional, cybersecurity certificates help validate your knowledge. Professionals who hold the right designations will stand out from the crowd and can pursue their career goals with increased confidence.
If you’re interested in becoming a cybersecurity pro, Flatiron School’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp teaches you everything you need to know to start a career in cyber. From fundamental security tools to assess threats and mitigate risks, to more advanced activities like fielding digital threats and penetration testing — whatever you want to do in cybersecurity, we’ll get you there.
It is also important to remember that cybersecurity certifications are not the end-all, be-all for a cyber career. Soft skills are important in cybersecurity, too – as are cybersecurity coding languages.
Ready to launch your career in cybersecurity? Apply to Flatiron School’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp today and start your journey toward becoming a cybersecurity professional!
