The field of cybersecurity is rising every year by leaps and bounds as companies, and other businesses realize how imperative it is to protect their data and networks. As reported by the World Economic Forum, worldwide costs inflicted by cybercrime are supposed to double from $3 trillion in 2018 to $6 trillion in 2022. As companies struggle to keep up with the rising threat of cybercrime, they’re having one major problem: they can’t find enough qualified applicants.
That’s right; cybersecurity specialists are so in demand that the number of open positions has exceeded the number of qualified applicants by as much as 2 to 1 in some industries. So what’s holding applicants back? About one-third of information security jobs need a cybersecurity certification compared to 23% of all IT employment. In the U.S. alone, some 50,000 vacant positions require CISSP certification. But the number of certified professionals is only about 72,600, according to the Information Security System Certification Consortium, and most of them are now working.
Information Security Analyst
Certifications: CompTIA Security+, CND, and CEH
Skill Level: Intermediate
Recommended Experience: CompTIA Network+ and two years of experience in IT administration with a security focus
Ideal for: If you have CompTIA Network+, some experience under your belt, and you’d like to expand your job opportunities and to earn potential massively, Information Security Analyst could be the perfect program for you.
Roles you will be qualified for: Cyber Security Specialist, Information Security Analyst, Information Security Auditor, and Site Security Administrator.
If you have got some experience in entry-level IT and want to take your career to the next level, this program is for you. Security+ will teach you the basics of security systems, threat management, identity management, security risk identification and mitigation, and more. Building on this information, CND will teach you how to detect, protect, and respond to network attacks in real-world situations. With an in-depth knowledge of how network traffic functions, you will be able to secure your network and identify the signs of an infiltrator. See below for more information on CND.
By getting your Certified Ethical Hacker designation, you’ll not only be prepared to secure networks and look for vulnerabilities; you will be an active part of the mitigation and remediation process. You will be able to strengthen your system through rigorous penetration testing and stop cyber attacks in their tracks.
Certified Network Defender
Certifications: CND
Skill Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: CompTIA Security+
Ideal for: If you have completed Security+ and want to keep building your resume and knowledge base, Certified Network Defender can be achieved in one week and is a HUGE step up from Security+.
Roles you will be qualified for: Network Security Engineer, Network Administrator, Network Security Administrator, Network Defense Technician, and Security Analyst.
CND is a vendor-neutral, hands-on, instructor-led complete network security certification program created by EC-Council. You will gain a hands-on understanding of data transfer, network technologies, and network software needed to secure a system.
If you would enjoy getting a hands-on role in the defense and security of your network
CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner
Certifications: CASP
Skill Level: Advanced
Prerequisites: 5–10 years of IT experience or CEH/Security+ certifications
Ideal for: Earning CASP certification is ideal for individuals who have 5–10 years of IT experience and are involved in cybersecurity. Unlike the CISSP certification, another essential cert in the cybersecurity world, CASP’s emphasis is on hands-on and technical skills. This is ideal for people who are not interested in management.
Roles you will be qualified for: Network Security Engineer, Information Security Specialist, Information Security Auditor, Security Analyst, Site Security Administrator, and Security Architect.
If you are interested in managing risk and assessing, securing networks, preventing cyber attacks, and even getting inside the mind of a hacker to make sure that a company’s data is safe as possible, CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) could be right for you. CASP is often compared to CISSP, but that is like comparing apples to oranges. If you want to establish a career in IT management, CISSP might be the better choice. If not, CASP can level up your job at a fraction of the cost.
Cyber Security Specialist
Skill Level: Advanced
Prerequisites: Understanding of TCP/IP, Information systems and security background, and 12 months of experience in networking technologies.
Ideal for: If you have completed A+ and Network+, or have similar job experience, you are ready to take on this ambitious program.
Roles you will be qualified for: Information Security Specialist, Cyber Security Specialist, Information Security Auditor, Computer Forensics Investigator, and Site Security Administrator.
If you like detective work and want to get into the mind of a hacker, this is the perfect Cert for you. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) and Security+ will give a thorough knowledge of the attack vectors and methods of hackers, as detailed above. By adding the CHFI certification to this mix, you will be able to track the movements of intruders in your network and systems and report on their methods and activities.
Does the idea of doing penetration testing on corporate networks provoke your interest? Corporations recognize the need for robust security better than anybody, and they are looking to hire experienced cybersecurity specialists who can protect them from cyber attacks and identify what went wrong. The mix of certifications will correctly position you for these kinds of opportunities.
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