10 Security Certifications To Boost Your Career
Earning a security credential can help you open the door to a great job. But you need to know which certification is the right one for you.
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As the market for information security talent heats up and the skills shortage continues, infosec pros who have the right combination of credentials and experience are in remarkably high demand. While certifications are not a sure bet for a job offer, prospective employers look for industry-leading credentials as one measure of qualifications and commitment to quality.
Here is a list of ten certifications, including a short description, prerequisites, exam cost, available courses, and study material links, as well as online practice test links.
In addition to the these certifications, there are several other courses and credentials that focus on specific technology areas. The key challenge for any IT security enthusiast at any point in his or her career is to identify the skills levels required (beginner to expert), and then look for reputable certifications that will bring career advancement. Fortunately, there are a lot of opportunities.
Good luck out there!
Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) is the leading provider and developer of Cyber Security Certifications, globally recognized by government, military and industry leaders. GIAC tests and validates the ability of practitioners in areas including security administration, forensics, management, audits, software security, and legal.
Description
This certification is designed for candidates who want to demonstrate skills in IT systems roles with respect to security tasks. Ideal candidates for this certification possess an understanding of information security beyond simple terminology and concepts.
Prerequisites: None
Exam: GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
(180 questions, 5 hours, 73% passing score)
Approx. Cost for Exam
$1,099 USD, administered by Pearson VUE (Affiliate Pricing for GIAC Certification in conjunction with SANS training is $629 USD)
Available Courses
Recommended course SEC401: Security Essentials Bootcamp Style,
Self-Study Material
Training events ($5,950 USD), Self-study books and DVDs ($5,350 USD), Videos from Dr. Cole
Online Practice Test
SANS Security Essentials Assessment Test, (Login credentials required)
Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) certifications are globally accepted and recognized, and are known for helping candidates combine the achievement of passing an exam with credit for their work and educational experience.
EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA) is an advanced ethical hacking certification and a step ahead of a CEH. This certification helps analysts validate the analytical phase of ethical hacking by being able to analyze the outcome of hacking tools and technologies. By making use of innovational network penetration testing methods and techniques, an ECSA can perform the intensive assessments required to effectively identify and mitigate risks to the information security of the infrastructure. The ECSA certification is designed for candidates who are Network Server Administrators, Firewall Administrators, Information Security Testers, System Administrators and Risk Assessment Professionals.
Prerequisites
Candidates must attend official training or have at least two years of information security related experience.
Exam
ECSA v8 (150 questions, 4 hours, 70% passing score)
Approximate Cost for Exam
The version 8 exam costs $500 USD for the actual test and $100 USD as a nonrefundable fee for registration, administered by Prometric Prime/ Prometric APTC/VUE.
URL
https://cert.eccouncil.org/ec-council-certified-security-analyst.html
Available Courses
ECSA/LPT v8 Courseware + iLabs - US Market Only ($700 USD). Course outline
Self-Study Material
iLearn (Self-Paced $559.65 USD), Live, Online, Instructor-led ($2,889 USD)
Online Practice Tests http://www.eccouncil.org/Training/ecsa-assessment
CompTIA is the leading provider of vendor-neutral IT certifications, offering 16 certification exams in PC support, networking, servers, Linux, security, cloud, mobile and more. CompTIA provides certification series that test various knowledge standards, from entry-level to expert. For security specifically, CompTIA offers the CompTIA Security+ certification.
CWNP is a non-profit organization that sets the IT industry standard for vendor-neutral enterprise Wi-Fi certification and training. Currently, CWNP focuses on 802.11 wireless networking technologies and offers 6 levels (Entry to Expert levels) of career certification for Enterprise Wi-Fi in areas including fundamentals, administration, security, analysis, design, mastery and instruction.
The CWSP certification is a professional level wireless LAN certification that ensures candidates have the skills to successfully secure enterprise Wi-Fi networks from hackers, without dependency on the brand of Wi-Fi gear deployed in the organization.
Prerequisites
Applicant must hold a current and valid Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) credential.
Exam
CWSP-205 exam administered by Pearson VUE (60 questions, 90 minutes, 70% passing score, 80% passing score for instructors)
Approximate Cost for Exam
$225 USD
URL
https://www.cwnp.com/certifications/cwsp
Available Courses
None
Self-Study Material
CWNP offers self-study products for CWNP certification exams including books, practice tests, and kits.
Online Practice Tests
CWSP practice test questions
CWNP is a non-profit organization that sets the IT industry standard for vendor-neutral enterprise Wi-Fi certification and training. Currently, CWNP focuses on 802.11 wireless networking technologies and offers 6 levels (Entry to Expert levels) of career certification for Enterprise Wi-Fi in areas including fundamentals, administration, security, analysis, design, mastery and instruction.
The CWSP certification is a professional level wireless LAN certification that ensures candidates have the skills to successfully secure enterprise Wi-Fi networks from hackers, without dependency on the brand of Wi-Fi gear deployed in the organization.
Prerequisites
Applicant must hold a current and valid Certified Wireless Network Administrator (CWNA) credential.
Exam
CWSP-205 exam administered by Pearson VUE (60 questions, 90 minutes, 70% passing score, 80% passing score for instructors)
Approximate Cost for Exam
$225 USD
URL
https://www.cwnp.com/certifications/cwsp
Available Courses
None
Self-Study Material
CWNP offers self-study products for CWNP certification exams including books, practice tests, and kits.
Online Practice Tests
CWSP practice test questions
As the market for information security talent heats up and the skills shortage continues, infosec pros who have the right combination of credentials and experience are in remarkably high demand. While certifications are not a sure bet for a job offer, prospective employers look for industry-leading credentials as one measure of qualifications and commitment to quality.
Here is a list of ten certifications, including a short description, prerequisites, exam cost, available courses, and study material links, as well as online practice test links.
In addition to the these certifications, there are several other courses and credentials that focus on specific technology areas. The key challenge for any IT security enthusiast at any point in his or her career is to identify the skills levels required (beginner to expert), and then look for reputable certifications that will bring career advancement. Fortunately, there are a lot of opportunities.
Good luck out there!
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