In today's digital age, cybersecurity has become more important than ever before. As cyber threats continue to evolve, organizations are actively seeking professionals with the right skills and knowledge to protect their systems and data. Cybersecurity certifications are a great way to demonstrate your expertise in this field and advance your career. To help you navigate through the plethora of options available, here is a curated list of the top 10 best online cyber security certifications for 2021.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
CISSP is a globally recognized certification that validates an individual's expertise in designing, implementing, and managing a cybersecurity program. It covers a wide range of topics, including security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communication and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security.
Benefits:
- Highly respected in the industry
- Opens up various career opportunities
- Demonstrates a deep understanding of cybersecurity concepts
- Increases earning potential
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
CEH is a certification that equips individuals with the skills and knowledge to identify vulnerabilities in systems and networks like a malicious hacker, but with the intent of securing them. It covers topics such as footprinting and reconnaissance, scanning networks, enumeration, system hacking, malware threats, sniffing, social engineering, denial-of-service, session hijacking, and more.
Benefits:
- Provides hands-on experience in ethical hacking techniques
- Enhances knowledge of common attack vectors
- Improves the ability to secure systems and networks
- Highly sought after by employers
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level certification that covers essential cybersecurity topics, including threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities, technologies and tools, architecture and design, identity and access management, risk management, and cryptography. It is ideal for individuals looking to start a career in cybersecurity.
Benefits:
- Vendor-neutral certification
- Recognized globally
- Helps kickstart a career in cybersecurity
- Validates baseline skills in cybersecurity
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
CISM is a certification designed for individuals who manage, design, oversee, and assess an enterprise's information security. It covers topics such as information security governance, risk management, information security program development and management, and information security incident management.
Benefits:
- Focuses on information security management
- Demonstrates expertise in developing and managing security programs
- Increases earning potential
- Recognized globally
GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
GSEC is a certification that validates individuals' understanding of information security beyond simple terminology and concepts. It covers topics such as access control, password management, cryptography, network protocols, and more.
Benefits:
- Focuses on hands-on technical skills
- Recognized by government agencies
- Provides a solid foundation in cybersecurity
- Increases job prospects
Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
CCSP is a certification that demonstrates individuals' ability to secure cloud environments. It covers topics such as cloud concepts, architecture, data security, cloud platform and infrastructure security, cloud application security, compliance, and legal issues.
Benefits:
- Focuses on cloud security
- Validates expertise in securing cloud environments
- Increases credibility in the industry
- Aligns with the latest trends in cloud computing
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
CISA is a certification that validates individuals' ability to assess vulnerabilities, report on compliance, and institute controls within an enterprise. It covers topics such as information systems audit process, governance and management of IT, information systems acquisition, development and implementation, information systems operations and business resilience, and protection of information assets.
Benefits:
- Focused on auditing and control
- Demonstrates expertise in IT governance and risk management
- Increases job opportunities in auditing and compliance
- Recognized globally
Certified Network Defense Architect (CNDA)
CNDA is a certification that focuses on the tools and techniques used by malicious hackers to compromise the security of network systems. It covers topics such as network security, reconnaissance, footprinting and scanning, enumeration, system hacking, trojans and backdoors, sniffers, denial of service, social engineering, session hijacking, evading firewalls and honeypots, wireless hacking, web server hacking, and more.
Benefits:
- Focuses on network defense and countermeasures
- Hands-on training in network security
- Enhances skills in securing network systems
- Highly sought after by organizations
Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
SSCP is a certification that validates individuals' technical skills and knowledge to implement, monitor, and administer IT infrastructure using information security policies and procedures. It covers topics such as access controls, security operations and administration, risk identification, monitoring and analysis, incident response and recovery, cryptography, network and communications security, and more.
Benefits:
- Focuses on technical skills in information security
- Validates expertise in implementing security policies and procedures
- Increases job prospects in IT security
- Recognized globally