Cybersecurity is such a domain in
which organizations are hesitant to hire inexperienced and freshers because
their critical assets and sensitive information are at stake. So, students and
young professionals looking to get started with their cybersecurity career has
a couple of choices, such as working as an intern, showing their expertise as a
freelancer, joining as an associate, or validating their experience, cybersecurity
skills, and knowledge through top cybersecurity certifications.
As per the latest report by Statista,
around 5.5 million cybersecurity professionals are working in the industry. And
the workforce shortage stood at 3.7 million in the Asia-Pacific region and
550,000 in the North America market.
Opportunities for cybersecurityjobs are huge in the field; the problem is the lack of skilled and
qualified cybersecurity experts. So, here are some of the most credible and
recognized cybersecurity certifications to help you start your career in
cybersecurity.
1.
Certified Cybersecurity General Practitioner
(CCGP™)
Before you start your career in
cybersecurity, you need to have a clear understanding of all the
fundamental concepts of this field, from basic terminologies to different types
of risks and their mitigation strategies.
Certified Cybersecurity General
Practitioner (CCGP™) is a beginner-level certification program from the United
States Cybersecurity Institute (USCSI®) designed for graduate students and
career switchers with 0-2 years of work experience to make their foundation
strong in the field of cybersecurity.
This is a completely online and
self-paced learning program that you can cover in 4-20 weeks from anywhere at
your own convenience. The CCGP™ exam consists of 50 questions that can be
completed within a 100-minute duration, and candidates must score a minimum of
70% to successfully earn this certification.
Individuals also get resources,
including eBooks, HQ lecture videos, and practice codes to prepare for the
exam.
2.
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
Security
This is one of the best
cybersecurity certifications if you want to master network security for
your career path. It requires passing two exams:
-
A core exam on Cisco Security Core Technologies
-
A concentration exam of your choice, such as
Cisco Firepower, Identity Service Engine, or Web Security
The core exam costs $400 and includes
90-110 questions that have to be completed within 120 minutes. Whereas the
concentration exams cost $300 and have a duration of minutes with 55-65
questions.
Though there is no prerequisite for this exam, completing CCNA is recommended to successfully pass the exam and earn this certification. Cisco focuses on hands-on simulation-based testing that helps candidates gain relevant skills and develop a strong understanding of specific security technologies.
3.
Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and
Identity Fundamentals
This is another popular entry-level cybersecurity certification program designed to empower students and professionals with the essential cybersecurity skills and knowledge required to secure Microsoft’s ecosystems.
This certification exam costs $99 and
consists of 40-60 multiple-choice questions with a 60-minute duration. Students
must score 70% marks to earn this credential and advance ahead in their cybersecurity
career.
Through this program, students can
learn about security, compliance, identity, and Microsoft solutions like Azure
Active Directory, Defender, etc. It doesn’t
require any prior experience or knowledge, and thus makes it perfect for
beginners.
4.
Certified Ethical Hacker
Though not exactly for beginners, it
is a great credential for students and professionals who want to excel in cybersecurity
jobs as a certified ethical hacker or a penetration tester. Offered by
EC-Council, this globally recognized certification will validate your skills
and knowledge in identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities across an
organization's digital infrastructure using the same tools and techniques that
cybercriminals use, but legally.
The CEH exam includes 125
multiple-choice questions, and the exam duration is 4 hours. It assesses your
knowledge on various topics, including footprinting, malware threats, social engineering,
penetration testing, etc. A basic understanding of networking and security is
recommended to enroll in this program. Since it is highly recognized across
industries, it will significantly enhance your career prospects.
5.
Harvard University – Cybersecurity: Managing
Risk in the Information Age
This globally recognized certification
is offered by Harvard Kennedy School. This course is available online and can
be completed in 8 weeks. It is designed to equip professionals with a basic
understanding of cybersecurity, such as managing organizational risks,
understanding new and emerging threats, legal and regulatory frameworks, and
developing response strategies.
The course covers real-world case
studies along with expert instruction, with a focus on governance rather than
technical knowledge. Though no prior technical background is required, this
certification is mostly suitable for senior professionals who want to integrate
cybersecurity into their organization and design effective cybersecurity
strategies.
It’s
a valuable certification for all professionals who want to lead cybersecurity
operations and ensure their organization is safe and protected.
Conclusion
So, these are the top cybersecurity
certifications widely recognized across all industries, from healthcare to
finance and retail to manufacturing. You can build a solid foundation with
these courses and understand the basics, such as network security, cloud
security, IoT security, risk management, IAM, cryptography, and more.
So, check out the programs matching
your career goals and aspirations and the skills you want to learn, and
register today.
