Cyber Security Certifications

Cyber Security Certifications

The protection of computer systems and networks from information disclosure, theft of or harm to their hardware, software, or electronic data, as well as interruption or misdirection of the services they provide, is known as computer security, cybersecurity, or information technology security (IT security).

Cybersecurity threats are more prevalent than ever before in the world. Data breaches and systemic hacks are putting a strain on company resources, and this trend is only expected to worsen in the coming years. Following a generalized approach will no longer provide security against sophisticated threats, and cybersecurity experts are in short supply to meet the current demand. So, the future is great for people choosing a Cyber Security career.

Overview

There has been a significant and rapidly growing shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals. According to the (ISC)2 2018 Cybersecurity Workforce Study, the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals is close to three million, with about half a million in North America, and the majority of businesses polled expressed concerns about a moderate or extreme risk of cybersecurity attacks due to a lack of dedicated cybersecurity personnel.

Education, training, and professional certifications are all common ways to address a professional staffing shortage. However, according to a recent study, top universities in the United States are failing to provide adequate cybersecurity education, with a lack of cybersecurity requirements for graduates and a slow change in curriculum and courses. The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) recently published the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (NCWF SP 800–181), which specifies cybersecurity professional categories, tasks, job roles, and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required for cybersecurity. These KSAs are also mapped to the cybersecurity expertise units (KUs) for CAE CDE-designated college and university programmes.

Professional certifications are an important supplementary credential system for identifying talent and guiding cybersecurity workforce training and growth. Many employers, for example, prefer their information security analysts to have some relevant professional certification in the field, such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), in addition to a bachelor’s degree to validate the skills and best practices needed for the job. The KSAs specified in the NCWF should ideally be included in the certification process for producing and selecting qualified professionals in the cybersecurity field. Professional certifications aid in addressing the ongoing scarcity of qualified cybersecurity professionals. According to research, the cybersecurity professional shortage continues to put businesses and organizations at risk, and it is now the top job concern among those working in the field. 95 percent of IT industry leaders surveyed believe certifications increase productivity and close skills gaps, particularly in Cybersecurity, which frequently necessitates additional education and training; as a result, cybersecurity certifications have ranked first in IT salaries for the past three years.

Professional certifications are typically designed to serve as a complement to formal education and training, as well as a professional incentive or requirement for continued professional development, such as education and training. As a result, professional certifications’ knowledge and skill domains and goals represent or cover the education and training programmes and learning outcomes in a specific field. According to research, professional certifications in cybersecurity, as well as cybersecurity curriculum and courses, need to incorporate the important factors of the cyber threat landscape, changing technology, workforce needs, industry standards, and government regulations. Furthermore, the curriculum and course learning outcomes and activities support the students’ educational, professional, and career goals.

There are many different types of cybersecurity certification programmes. In general, they have two major functions. The first step is to teach new hires how to use particular tools and technologies. The second reason is that professional certifications allow more experienced IT and computer networking professionals to validate and demonstrate skill mastery. Professional certifications, like those in other computer science and information technology fields, play an important role in cybersecurity jobs and advancement.

Professional cybersecurity certification programmes and academic cybersecurity certification programmes are the two main types of cybersecurity certification programmes available today. The following are the differences between the two programmes:

Professional Cybersecurity Certifications

Professional cybersecurity certifications are intended for individuals who are already working in the cybersecurity field (or closely related IT and networking fields) and want to learn about the most up-to-date tools and software for detecting, preventing, and combating cybersecurity threats. These credentials are used to demonstrate knowledge of particular technologies. A professional certificate like CompTIA Security Plus is a common entry-level professional cybersecurity certificate. (The Department of Defense requires it for employment).

There are a number of certifications that certify working professionals in specific skills, which is one distinguishing feature of the cybersecurity field. Many job postings and career positions in cybersecurity necessitate some level of certification, so it’s important to keep track of which certifications are in demand based on a career track or work type. Some companies use specific data structures or network products, and as a result, their professional cybersecurity personnel may be required to be certified. The following are some examples of famous professional certifications:

· Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

· GIAC Security Essentials

· Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

· Comp TIA Security+ +

· Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

These courses are considered foundational, and they may be a good place to start for those new to the cybersecurity field. It’s worth noting that many cybersecurity certifications, even those regarded as foundational, may require a combination of verifiable university coursework and years of work experience.

Academic cybersecurity certifications

Academic cybersecurity certifications are intended to give candidates’ a thorough understanding of some of the most pressing issues in the field. Harvard’s online cybersecurity certification and the University of Maryland’s online undergraduate cybersecurity certification are two examples of scholarly certification programmes. These courses are usually combined with other coursework and certification programmes to give candidates’ the skills and experience they need to get started in the rapidly expanding cybersecurity industry.

Academic cybersecurity certification programmes vary from other types of academic training such as cybersecurity bachelor’s or master’s degrees in a few key ways. Certifications take less time to complete — they can range from a few weeks to a year or more in length. In addition, unlike conventional undergraduate courses, they do not have as many prerequisites (like SAT or ACT scores, for example).

Academic cybersecurity certification programmes are ideal for individuals who have already completed a degree in a related field and want to switch careers, or for students who want to see what it’s like to prepare for a cybersecurity career before committing to a longer academic programme.

Jobs Opportunities for Cyber Security Certifications

Cybersecurity Analyst

The cybersecurity analyst is in charge of safeguarding the company’s data and networks. The analyst is responsible for responding to security breaches and protecting company hardware, such as employee computers, in addition to overseeing all ongoing security measures.

Security Engineer

Security engineers are in charge of developing, implementing, and maintaining a company’s information security strategy. They may also be in charge of documenting their company’s security posture, as well as any problems or measures implemented while they were in charge.

Security Consultant

On a contract basis, the security consultant is responsible for assessing a company’s security posture and serving as an adviser to other IT employees. Threat management is the consultant’s objective, and they will frequently plan, test, and oversee the first iterations of a company’s security protocols.