In today’s interconnected world, ensuring the security and compliance of your organization’s information systems is of paramount importance. To that end, obtaining security and compliance certifications can help to establish your organization’s credibility and demonstrate its commitment to protecting sensitive data. With 2022 fast approaching, it’s important to understand which certifications are most relevant and sought-after in the industry. In this blog, we will highlight the 10 most popular security and compliance certifications that organizations will be looking for in 2022. Whether you’re an IT professional seeking to enhance your career prospects or an organization looking to bolster your security posture, this list will provide you with valuable insights into the certifications that are most in demand in the coming year.
Let’s look at the most popular security and compliance certifications to pursue in 2022.
1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The cybersecurity professional organization (ISC)2’s CISSP certification is one of the most sought-after credentials in the industry. Moreover, Earning your CISSP shows that you have experience in IT security and can design, implement, and monitor a cybersecurity program. To take the CISSP exam, you must have five years of cumulative work experience in at least two of the eight cybersecurity domains. 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 are examples of these.
2. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
This ISACA credential demonstrates your expertise in assessing security vulnerabilities, designing and implementing controls, and reporting on compliance. It’s one of the most well-known certifications for cybersecurity auditing careers. At least five years of experience in IT or IS audit, control, security, or assurance is required. Furthermore, A two-year or four-year degree can be substituted for one or two years of experience.
3. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
You can validate your expertise in the management side of information security with the ISACA CISM certification, which covers topics such as governance, program development, program, incident, and risk management. You must have at least five years of experience in information security management to take the CISM exam. Moreover, This requirement can be met with general information security experience for up to two years. You can also waive one or two years if you have another valid certification or a graduate degree in an information security-related field.
4. Security+
CompTIA Security+ is an entry-level security certification that validates the fundamental skills required for any cybersecurity position. Also, With this certification, you can demonstrate your ability to assess an organization’s security, monitor and secure cloud, mobile, and internet of things (IoT) environments; understand risk and compliance laws and regulations, and identify and respond to security incidents. While there are no strict prerequisites for taking the Security+ exam, it is recommended that you first obtain your Network+ certification and gain at least two years of IT experience with a security focus.
5. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Ethical hacking, also known as white hat hacking, penetration testing, or red teaming, is the practice of lawfully hacking organizations to discover vulnerabilities before malicious players do. The CEH Certified Ethical Hacker certification is available from the EC-Council. Earn it to show off your knowledge of penetration testing, attack detection, vectors, and prevention. You can take the CEH exam if you have two years of information security work experience or if you have completed an official EC-Council training.
6. GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)
This Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) certification is an entry-level security credential for those with a background in information systems and networking. Earning this certification validates your knowledge of security tasks such as active defense, network security, cryptography, incident response, and cloud security. There are no prerequisites for taking the GSEC exam. Set yourself up for success by first gaining some experience in information systems or computer networking.
7. Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
With this (ISC)2 intermediate security credential, you can demonstrate to employers that you have the knowledge and skills to design, implement, and manage a secure IT infrastructure. Also, The exam assesses knowledge of access controls, risk identification and analysis; security administration, incident response, cryptography, and network, communication, system, and application security. Furthermore, Candidates for the SSCP must have a minimum of one year of paid work experience in one or more of the testing areas. Moreover, A bachelor’s or master’s degree in a cybersecurity-related program can also suffice.
8. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)
The CASP+ is intended for cybersecurity professionals who have demonstrated advanced skills but wish to remain in the technology field (as opposed to management). Advanced topics covered in the exam include enterprise security domain, risk analysis, software vulnerability; Also, securing cloud and virtualization technologies, and cryptographic techniques. There is no formal requirement for taking the CASP+ exam. Only experienced cybersecurity professionals; with at least ten years of IT, administration experience is recommended by CompTIA (including five years of broad hands-on experience with security).
9. GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)
Earning the GCIH validates your knowledge of offensive operations, such as common attack techniques and vectors, as well as your ability to detect, respond to, and defend against attacks. The exam covers incident response, computer crime investigation, hacker exploits, and hacker tools. The GCIH exam has no formal prerequisites; but it’s a good idea to be familiar with security principles, networking protocols, and the Windows Command-Line.
10. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
Offensive Security’s OSCP has quickly become one of the most sought-after certifications for penetration testers. The exam assesses your ability to compromise a series of target machines; through a series of exploitation steps and to generate detailed penetration test reports for each attack. There are no formal prerequisites for taking the exam. Offensive Security recommends that you are familiar with networking, Linux, Bash scripting, Perl, or Python, as well as having completed the Penetration Testing with Kali course.
Is it worthwhile to obtain a cybersecurity certification?
According to an (ISC)2 survey, 70 percent of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the United States were required by their employers to have a certification. According to the same study, security certification can result in an $18,000 salary increase. A relevant credential can also make you more appealing to recruiters and hiring managers. If you want to advance your Security and Compliance career or break into the field; cybersecurity certifications can help you land jobs, boost your career, or protect yourself from job loss if you choose wisely.
How to start a career in cyber security?
Begin with a certification that corresponds to your current skill set. Moreover, Invest in a certification that you know; you can obtain and use it to advance to more difficult certifications later in your career. If you’re just starting in cybersecurity; or want to advance to a management position, a more general certification may be a good option. furthermore, As your career progresses, you may decide to specialize. A certification in your area of specialization can validate your skills to potential employers.
Practical experience is frequently the most effective way to prepare for certification exams. Additionally, Begin by gaining work experience as an entry-level Security and Compliance analyst. Furthermore, Many cybersecurity professionals begin their careers in more general IT roles.
