Cyberattacks are now among the fastest growing crimes around the world. Even huge organizations like Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo, and LinkedIn have made headlines in the past for being hacked, resulting in customer information stolen.
As we reach the halfway mark of 2020, other huge companies have also been targeted, some even falling victim to the dreadsome, double-trouble ransomware, which has led to billions of records being exposed on public platforms.
Here is a list of the 8 best cybersecurity certifications that should allow your IT professionals to stand out from the crowd.
1. CompTIA Security+
CompTIA’s Security+ is a highly popular, base-level, vendor-neutral security certification. Those who are holders of this esteemed entry-level certification possess exceptional expertise and knowledge in various security disciplines, along with superior technical skills.
The certification requires at least two years of experience working in the IT and network security sector. In this course, IT professionals don’t only focus on a single vendor product line, but learn about the broader IT security concepts, which include:
1. Disaster recovery and business continuity
2. Elements of effective security policies
3. Network attack strategies and defenses
4. Network and host-based security practices
5. Encryption standards and products
One of the best things about CompTIA’s Security+ is that its credentials comply with the standards of ISO 17024 and meet the Directive 8140/8570.01-M requirements by the U.S. Department of Defense.
2. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
The new-generation of hackers are constantly finding new ways of attacking information systems. They exploit system vulnerabilities and nowadays even threaten to expose data in an attempt to blackmail individuals to pay a ransom amount.
The Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) is an intermediate-level credential that teaches the skills you need to think and act like a hacker, allowing its holders to leverage the knowledge that enables them to toe the line of processing malicious thoughts and moral actions.
CEH students undergo real-time training in hacking scenarios, where they are forced to find different ways to stop the hacker from penetrating and stealing information. CEH credential holders gain tremendous knowledge and skills for various hacking practices in areas, such as:
1. Scanning networks
2. Enumeration
3. System hacking
4. Social engineering
5. Session hijacking
6. SQL injection
7. Cryptography
8. Penetration testing
9. Denial-of-service attacks
10. Footprinting and reconnaissance
11. Trojans, sniffers, worms, and viruses
12. Evading IDS, Firewalls, and Honey Pots
13. Hijacking web servers/wireless networks/web applications
3. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Introduced by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), the CISM credential is highly popular among IT professions who manage, develop, and oversee information security in enterprise-level applications, and it requires at least 5 years of experience in the industry to even apply.
This credential from ISACA trains IT professionals interested in utilizing and implementing the highest quality standards for security, audit, and control of IT systems. It allows them to deal with enterprise-level management responsibilities, along with possessing advanced skills in incident management and response, program development and management, and security risk management.
4. Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA)
The CISA credential is another of ISACA’s brilliant creations and is recognized globally for being the gold standard for IT professionals, who want to practice in audit control, assurance, and information security. Candidates learn how to identify and analyze organization threats/vulnerabilities.
They also learn how to provide guidance and organize security controls, along with assessing compliance and practicing maintenance and service management, and asset protection. For this certification, there is a 5 years auditing experience required. It is the main requirement for high-level Information Security (IS) audit, control, and assurance positions.
5. Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP)
An advanced-level certification of IT professionals, the CISSP is offered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, known as (ISC)2. This vendor-neutral credential is recognized all over the world for its standards of excellence and holders of it have to go through tremendous training.
Those who undergo this certification possess excellent technical skills and expert knowledge for developing, guiding, and managing security procedures, policies, and standards within organizations. Like CompTIA Security+, you even learn about cryptography and telecommunications.
6. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
As we move further into the digital world, there seems to be a lot of reliance on cloud technologies. And since traditional IT security practices don’t work well with a cloud environment, the CCSP credential is a crucial investment for IT professionals to have hands-on experience with cloud security architecture.
It gives holders of the credentials a deep understanding of IT architecture, governance, cloud, and web security engineering, along with a range of other topics, which include cloud data security, platform, and infrastructure security, cloud operations, legal, and compliance. It is an ideal certification for enterprise architects, security administrators, security managers, and system engineers.
7. Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
A new wave of ransomware attacks have taken the world by storm and put many companies as well as government hospitals and other agencies out of business for a few days, and even permanently. A hacking forensic investigator is a person tasked with analyzing attacks and extracting information regarding reporting hacking crimes and conducting audits for future prevention.
The CHFI certification will teach forensic network security managers and investigators on how to tackle new double-trouble ransomware and viruses, along with gathering the necessary evidence to put offenders in front of the court of law. The certification covers topics like incident response, recovering encrypted/damaged files, and technical examination of computer-based evidence.
8. Certified Google Cloud Platform Professional Security Engineer
Another one for the cloud security engineers, this certification allows individuals to design and implement a secure infrastructure on the Google Cloud Platform. It gives IT professionals a thorough understanding of the best practices and industry security requirements while utilizing and implementing Google security technologies.
Holders of the certification learn how to configure access within a cloud solution environment, configure network security, ensure data protection, and manage operations within a cloud solution environment. To earn this certification, however, IT professionals must possess adequate experience and skills in the field of cloud environments and security.
Wrapping Things Up
These highly popular and insanely knowledgeable cybersecurity certifications should keep your IT staff updated on the latest techniques and practices for leveraging strong security, elevate your income, and avoid potential hacking attempts. However, it is important to realize that being security-aware is not only the responsibility of IT professionals.
Any and all business staff should have an idea of safe practices to follow when working. They should have a foundational understanding of cybersecurity and the impending risks that follow. For instance, use strong passwords, employ 2FA, avoid clicking on suspicious emails, and when needed to access the employee portal remotely, use a Virtual Private Network with a dedicated IP.
