Cybersecurity jobs are in high demand but there’s a talent shortage, says Google Cloud Director MK Palmore. Touted as one of the most dynamic career fields in the industry, every organization is in dire need of cybersecurity professionals. 

Every information exchanged is critical, and without an expert’s opinion to vet the information can pose a significant threat, from a privacy standpoint. What the market is seeing is that organizations can’t bring in experts fast enough. Without the right skills and experience, we’re all behind in terms of hiring potential candidates. 

There’s no direct path to becoming a cybersecurity professional. Most of them have either started their careers as IT professionals or made a switch at some point. However, the fact remains the same, there still aren’t enough cybersecurity professionals to fill the job demand. In this article, we will walk you through some of the best cybersecurity certifications to consider. 

Boost Your Career With the Best Cybersecurity Certifications

With multiple certifications available online, selecting the one that fits your requirements can be challenging. We’ve highlighted some of the best cybersecurity certifications for you to look at. 

1. Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate

  • Length: 9 courses/187 hours
  • Structure: Self-paced

The Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate is a beginner-friendly program that offers a 9-course series. In this program, candidates will gain knowledge such as threat-mitigating strategies, applying effective cybersecurity measures within an Azure environment, and hands-on experience in multiple tools [Azure Active Directory and MS Defender]. 

What you’ll learn:

  • Cybersecurity landscape
  • Core concepts for security
  • Vulnerabilities related to the organization’s network 
  • How to apply effective cybersecurity measures within an Azure environment

Skills you’ll gain:

  • Threat mitigation
  • Network security
  • Penetration test
  • Computer security incident management
  • AI in Cybersecurity Analysis
  • Cloud computing security

Cost: $49 per month with a Coursera membership after a 7-day free trial (financial aid options available)

2. The SANS Institute’s SEC275: Foundations: Computers, Technology, and Security 

  • Length: 4 modules/120–140 hours, on average
  • Structure: Self-paced [available for 4 months]

This foundational course is ideal for students with zero technical and security knowledge. It provides learning skills that offer sufficient understanding to apply practical skills. There are no prerequisites and no prior security is needed to register. This course is designed for candidates seeking to change their careers, college, and university students, new hires in IT or cybersecurity, participants seeking a reskilling program, and self-driven learners seeking to learn new skills. 

What you’ll learn:

  • Demonstrating programming skills in Python and C
  • Understanding the fundamentals of networking, encryption, and Linux
  • Core elements of Operating systems, the Web, and Security concepts

Skills you’ll gain:

  • Offensive Security Concepts
  • Networking Fundamentals
  • The Web
  • Computer Components and Concepts
  • SQL
  • Linux
  • Servers and Services
  • Advanced Computer Hardware
  • Windows Foundation
  • Practical Programming and Concepts

Cost: $3,020, or $3,400 with GFACT Certification

3. UPenn’s Cybersecurity Boot Camp 

  • Length: 6 months/24 weeks, 9 hours a week
  • Structure: Live Instruction

Penn’s Cybersecurity Boot Camp was launched in 2019 in collaboration with edX, an online learning platform to introduce cybersecurity fundamentals. This course covers various topics that include governance and compliance, risk analysis governance, incident response framework, and Linux and Windows systems administration. 

What you’ll learn:

  • Cybersecurity foundational skills
  • Fundamentals of risk analysis

Added advantage:

  • Career planning assistance
  • Portfolio and homework reviews
  • Mock interviews
  • 1:1 coaching
  • Soft skills training 

Cost: $13,995 (payment plans available)

4. Google Cybersecurity Certificate

  • Length: 8 courses/171 hours
  • Structure: Self-paced

The Google Cybersecurity Certificate program provides job-ready skills for candidates seeking a career as a cybersecurity analyst. This program is ideal for candidates seeking an entry-level job in cybersecurity and doesn’t require prior experience to enroll. 

What you’ll learn:

  • Programming for cybersecurity tasks
  • How to use AI tools to boost productivity
  • How to use frameworks to inform security operations
  • How to detect and respond to incidents using the intrusion detection system
  • How to use security information and event management (SIEM) tools for cybersecurity

Skills you’ll gain:

  • Job-ready skills 
  • Hands-on activities
  • Discussion prompts and quizzes
  • Programming tools for security tasks – Python, Linux, and SQL

Cost: $49 per month with a Coursera membership after a 7-day free trial (financial aid options are available)

5. IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate

  • Length: 8 courses/130 hours
  • Structure: Self-paced

The IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate aims at placing candidates at entry-level profiles [junior cybersecurity analyst] Hosted on Cloudera, this certification program was launched in 2020 with a rating of 4.6. The curriculum includes common frameworks [CIA Triad], IBM-specific tools [MaaS360 and IBM Guardium], and cyberattack best practices. 

What you’ll learn:

  • Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools & Cyberattacks
  • Cybersecurity Capstone: Breach Response Case Studies
  • Network Security & Database Vulnerabilities
  • Cybersecurity Roles, Processes & Operating System Security
  • Cyber Threat Intelligence
  • Penetration Testing, Incident Response, and Forensics
  • Cybersecurity Compliance Framework & System Administration

Skills you’ll gain:

  • Cyber Attacks
  • Breaches
  • SIEM
  • Ransomware
  • Scripting
  • Phishing
  • Threat Management
  • Network Defense Tactics
  • Data Protection
  • Digital Forensics

Cost: $49 per month with a Coursera membership after a 7-day free trial (financial aid options are available)

6. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

  • Length: 6 months official labs
  • Structure: Live Online or In-person

The CEH certification program is ideal for anyone interested in learning ethical hacking. Candidates with the CEH certification have the skills and capabilities to think like a hacker. This certification covers various tools and techniques that hackers use, strategies to identify threats, and understanding of hacking phases. 

What you’ll learn:

  • Introduction to Ethical Hacking
  • Footprinting and Reconnaissance
  • Scanning Networks
  • Vulnerability Analysis
  • Hacking Web Applications
  • Hacking Mobile Platforms
  • SQL Injection

Skills you’ll gain:

  • Cloud Computing
  • Sniffing
  • Social Engineering
  • Adaptive Learning
  • Enhanced Reporting
  • AI-driven Cybersecurity Skills

The latest version (v13) covers the latest operating systems, tools, techniques, technologies, and AI capabilities. 

Cost: $1000

7. Fullstack Academy’s Cybersecurity Analytics Bootcamp

  • Length: 7 units/12 weeks full-time or 24 weeks part-time
  • Structure: Live Instruction

The Cybersecurity Analytics Bootcamp by Fullstack Academy was founded in 2013 and is said to be the oldest online training bootcamp ideal for entry-level candidates. Candidates with certification from this bootcamp are thoroughly trained and well-prepared for a range of cybersecurity roles.

What you’ll learn:

  • Cybersecurity Fundamentals
  • Network Systems
  • Python Programming
  • System Administration
  • Asset and Inventory Management 
  • Blue Team (Defense)
  • Red Team (Offense)

Skills you’ll gain:

  • Cyber Tools [Kali Linux, Command Line, Python, Wireshark, Bash, Nmap, Metasploit, and Meterpreter]
  • Gen AI in Cybersecurity
  • OSINT Tools
  • Virtual SIEM Analysis

Cost: $14,995 (payment plans available)

Conclusion

You must first curate a career plan and define the outcome of the program before enrolling yourself for an online certification. Most employers prefer candidates with soft and hard skills along with technical know-how. The candidate needs to know what outcome they are seeking – whether it is for a job role, upskilling, or a career switch. 

With the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals, this field offers an excellent career path.

Related: Top 10 Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs)

Categorized in:

Career, Cyber Security, Education, Top List,

Last Update: November 22, 2024