Certified and Hired: These Cybersecurity Certifications Pay the Most!

 

Cybersecurity Certifications

Beginner to advance

Best Cybersecurity Certifications

Cybersecurity certifications are highly respected in the industry and are crucialin advancing career prospects. Whether you aim to specialize in ethical hacking, penetration testing, incident handling, or security management, there is a certification tailored to your goals. Below is a comprehensive guide to the top cybersecurity certifications categorized from entry-level to advanced.

Entry-Level Cybersecurity Certifications

1. CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker)

  • Focus: Ethical hacking, penetration testing
  • Key Domains: SQL injection, cryptography, IoT hacking, cloud security, malware threats
  • Cost: $1,050–$1,119 (Training excluded)
  • Exam Pattern: MCQ
  • Questions: 125
  • Time Limit: 4 hours
  • Passing Score: 65%–85%

2. CompTIA Security+

  • Focus: Core security operations, risk management
  • Key Domains: Threat detection, access management, cryptography, compliance
  • Cost: $392
  • Exam Pattern: MCQ and PBQ
  • Questions: 90
  • Time Limit: 90 minutes
  • Passing Score: 750 (on a scale of 100–900)

3. GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC)

  • Focus: Foundational cybersecurity skills
  • Key Domains: Network security, active defense, cloud security, incident response
  • Cost: $949
  • Exam Pattern: Open Book Exam
  • Questions: 106–180
  • Time Limit: 4–5 hours
  • Passing Score: 73%

4. Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)

  • Focus: Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment
  • Key Domains: Command line, buffer overflows, privilege escalation, web application attacks
  • Cost: $999–$2,148
  • Exam Pattern: Practical-based
  • Time Limit: 24 hours
  • Passing Score: 70%

5. Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate

  • Focus: Security operations, threat analysis
  • Key Domains: Security concepts, network intrusion analysis, security monitoring, incident response
  • Cost: $300
  • Exam Pattern: MCQ
  • Questions: 95–105
  • Time Limit: 120 minutes
  • Passing Score: Varies

Mid-Level Cybersecurity Certifications

6. CompTIA PenTest+

  • Focus: Penetration testing, vulnerability analysis
  • Key Domains: Post-exploitation, vulnerability reporting, compliance assessment
  • Cost: $392
  • Exam Pattern: MCQ and PBQ
  • Questions: 85
  • Time Limit: 165 minutes
  • Passing Score: 750 (on a scale of 100–900)

7. CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

  • Focus: Security management, advanced security architecture
  • Key Domains: Risk management, IAM, network security, software security
  • Cost: $749–$800
  • Exam Pattern: MCQ and Advanced Innovative Items
  • Questions: 100–150 (CAT Exam), 250 (Linear Exam)
  • Time Limit: 3–6 hours
  • Passing Score: 700 (out of 1,000)

8. CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)

  • Focus: Auditing, compliance, and governance
  • Key Domains: IT governance, business resilience, risk management
  • Cost: $575
  • Exam Pattern: MCQ
  • Questions: 150
  • Time Limit: 4 hours
  • Passing Score: 450

Advanced-Level Cybersecurity Certifications

9. CISM (Certified Information Security Manager)

  • Focus: Security program management and governance
  • Key Domains: Risk management, security strategy, program development
  • Cost: $760
  • Exam Pattern: MCQ
  • Questions: 150
  • Time Limit: 4 hours
  • Passing Score: 450 (out of 800)

10. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+)

  • Focus: Advanced-level security operations
  • Key Domains: Security architecture, cryptography, compliance
  • Cost: $494
  • Exam Pattern: MCQ and Performance-based
  • Questions: 90
  • Time Limit: 165 minutes
  • Passing Score: No scaled score

11. GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

  • Focus: Incident handling, cyber defense
  • Key Domains: Threat detection, response strategies, hacker exploits
  • Cost: $2,499
  • Exam Pattern: Proctored Exam
  • Questions: 106
  • Time Limit: 4 hours
  • Passing Score: 70%

12. Offensive Security Certified Expert (OSCE)

  • Focus: Advanced penetration testing and exploitation
  • Key Domains: Exploit development, vulnerability discovery, custom shellcoding
  • Cost: $1,499
  • Exam Pattern: Practical-based
  • Time Limit: 48 hours
  • Passing Score: 70%

13. Offensive Security Exploitation Expert (OSEE)

  • Focus: Advanced exploit development
  • Key Domains: Windows kernel exploitation, bypassing security mitigations
  • Cost: $1,499
  • Exam Pattern: Practical-based
  • Time Limit: 72 hours
  • Passing Score: 70%

Conclusion

Pursuing a cybersecurity certification can significantly boost your professional profile, validate your expertise, and increase your earning potential. Whether you’re starting out or advancing your career, these certifications are key milestones for becoming a sought-after cybersecurity professional.

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