While candidates with any cybersecurity certification would get a remarkable salary hike, there are top 5 cybersecurity certifications that would pay you the best in the industry. It depicts that the IT security market will grow significantly in the coming years. With the IoT products leading the industry, the spending on cybersecurity solutions is expected to increase globally.
It is expected that there will be around 3 million vacant cybersecurity jobs by 2021. In today’s technological era, every IT job also is considered a cybersecurity job. This is because every IT worker or technology worker is involved in safeguarding the data, apps, infrastructure, and devices. Here are the top 5 cybersecurity certifications that will get you hired.
1. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
A candidate with a certified ethical hacker (CEH) certificate is a knowledgeable professional who can identify the vulnerabilities in target systems. He uses the same skills and tools as a spiteful hacker, but legally and legitimately. A certified ethical hacker uses tools ethical hacking tools like – OpenVAS, Nikto, Metasploit, etc. to assess the security threats. CEH Certification is recognized as one of the top 5 cybersecurity certifications and is obtained through the EC-Council. To obtain this certification, one must have 2+ years of experience in the cybersecurity industry.
As a certified ethical hacker, you can work as an Advanced Threat Analyst, Information Security Assessor or Penetration Tester. The job responsibilities of these positions include- testing for vulnerabilities, continuously monitoring the network, and thwarting the threats against target system and more. The average salary for these positions ranges from $75000 to $130000 in the USA.
2. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
This is another important certification in cybersecurity that helps you accelerate your career. With a CISSP, you can efficiently design, deploy, and manage a top-class cybersecurity program. One can acquire this certificate through (ISC)2 or the International Information System Security Certification Consortium. This certification requires at least 5 years of experience in the cybersecurity industry.
CISSP is a professional level certification that aids in vulnerability mitigation in cryptography concepts, web-based process and systems, and investigations. With the CISSP certificate, one can go high in the hierarchy from Information Security Analyst to Manager, and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). The average salary in the USA for CISSP professionals ranges from $85000 to $158000.
3. Security+ (Plus) Certification
This cybersecurity certification lays the foundation in understanding cryptography, risk management, and handling vulnerabilities. Also, security+ leads way for intermediate-level cybersecurity positions. You can receive this certificate through CompTIA. You should have a thorough knowledge of cryptography and KPI; threats and vulnerabilities; identity, access, and risk management; and network architecture and design to pass in this exam.
With a certificate in security+ one can work as a Cybersecurity Analyst, Security Engineer or Consultant based on the years of experience. You will be responsible for evaluating a company’s security level, planning and implementing its information security strategy and protecting its data and networks. The average salary for a candidate with security+ certification in the USA ranges from $45000 to $80000.
4. Network+ (Plus) Certification
Network+ (Plus) certification sets the base for cybersecurity. It lets you explore and understand what cybersecurity is all about. This certification offers great insight into how networks and systems interact with each other. One can earn this certificate through CompTIA and it is required for almost every cybersecurity job.
Holding a Network+ (Plus) certificate – one can work as System Administrator, IT Manager, and Network Administrator. To receive this certificate, you must have a good knowledge of networking concepts and operations, network security and troubleshooting tools, and infrastructure. The average salary a person with this certificate can earn ranges between $60000 to $75000.
5. Licensed Penetration Tester (LPT)
It is a pro-level certification that is considered as the crest of cybersecurity. LPT certification is provided by the EC Council only to those who are a proven master in cybersecurity. To procure a certification in LPT one must have at least 2 years of experience as a penetration tester or hold ECSA certification or have other industry-equivalent certifications like GIAC penetration tester, GPEN, or OSCP. LPT covers expert-level cybersecurity concepts such as OS exploits, privilege escalation, SSH tunneling, and multi-level pivoting.
One can work as Cybersecurity Engineer, Senior Security Consultant, and Licensed Penetration
Tester with LPT certification. You will be responsible for creating roadblocks for hackers, researching the latest security technologies, and identifying vulnerabilities and finding ways to fix them. The average salary for this position ranges from $80000 to $120000 in the USA.
Bottom Line
Cybersecurity is one of those industries that is expected to skyrocket with millions of job openings by 2021. There is a huge gap between the available vacant positions and skilled professionals in this field. Hence, obtaining one of the top 5 cybersecurity certifications would help you land in a job with great job security and a fancy package. Future-proof your career by getting certified in any of the above certifications.
Cyber Chasse learning Academy offers online training in cutting-edge technologies like – cybersecurity, big data, cloud computing and more. If you want to get certified in the above technologies, our instructor-led online training programs help you prepare for the certification.
