10 Hot Cyber Security Certifications for IT Professionals to Pursue in 2020

Which Certificates Are Employers Looking For?

There are dozens of cyber security companies out there, and many of them offer certification courses for using their equipment or software. It’s natural that some cyber security certifications are going to be more valuable than others, simply from the force of market pressure on the available candidate pool.

For example, Cisco has been the worldwide leader in network equipment manufacturing for years. The manufacturing giant also offers certification courses for its equipment. The fact that this equipment forms the basic infrastructure common to so many enterprises makes it a de facto standard of reference when it comes to network security.

Other, more specialized certifications might be extremely valuable for a relatively smaller number of organizations. You will have to carefully examine your own skillset and determine the best path forward for your particular career path using the following list.

Top 10 Cyber Security Certifications for IT Professionals in 2020

» 

CompTIA A+

CompTIA is one of the industry standards when it comes to establishing a career in enterprise IT security. The course focuses on core problem-solving skills that cyber security engineers and systems administrators will need to perform in a high-stress security environment. The structure of the course places a great degree of importance on creative, heat-of-the-moment decision-making. It covers hardware, operating systems, networking, security, mobile devices, and cloud computing all in one course.

» 

Cisco CCNP Security Certification

Cisco CCNP Security Certification demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of security infrastructure. It covers firewall technology, virtual private networks, Cisco hardware, and much more. There are no formal requirements for this certification, either – any candidate with a few years of experience implementing security solutions should be able to obtain it.

» 

Cisco CCIE Security Certification

The next step up from Cisco’s CCNP certification is the coveted CCIE certificate. CCIE security certification has earned its place as the industry’s most prestigious distinction a security professional can have. It focuses on datacenter infrastructure, and while the prevalence of software-defined networking (SDN) solutions is making experts question how traditional datacenter security will adapt to remain relevant, the security concepts at the core of CCIE will remain core business necessities for decades to come – and hiring managers know it.

» 

Venafi  VSA 19

Venafi’s Security Administrator Product Training sits on the other side of the popularity spectrum compared to Cisco. Where Cisco’s certifications derive their value from their generalized, value-oriented approach, Venafi VSA 19 is all about the Venfai’s Trust Protection Platform – a single piece of technology. It establishes authority on public key infrastructure in a way that stands out on a resume and can lead to highly lucrative positions in ways that other certifications don’t.

» 

CompTIA Network+

This certification is less demanding than CompTIA’s A+ certification, and it presents a good entry point for IT professionals who may not have years of experience in the world of cyber security. IT administrators who have found themselves forced to respond to security issues can use the information contained in CompTIA’s Network+ course to improve the resilience of their network more efficiently.

» 

Certified Ethical Hacker (ANSI)

This intermediate-level credential is an excellent starting point for IT professionals who want to understand how cyber criminals exploit systems and cover their tracks when doing so. It provides fundamental knowledge on all of the most modern hacking practices that security professionals defend against on a daily basis: denial-of-service attacks, social engineering, session hijacking, cross-site scripting, IDS evasion, and more.

» 

ISACA CISA Certification

ISACA’s Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) credential is the universal standard for IT security auditing. This helps IT professionals identify threats and vulnerabilities, assess data compliance, and provide guidance on security controls. The focus on security auditing is what sets this certification apart from the others, generating value, especially in highly regulated industries.

» 

ISACA CISM Certification

Another valuable certification from ISACA is the Certified Information Security Manager credential. It focuses on concepts and methods related to managing and developing information security systems for enterprises. It also focuses on the team-building aspect of enterprise security, empowering certificate-holders to manage risk and respond to security incidents with professionalism.

» 

SANS GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)

GSEC Certification focuses on active defense, cryptography, network architecture, and Linux security. It’s an ideal credential for security professionals, IT engineers, and administrators looking to improve the depth and breadth of their knowledge. It is an in-demand credential among penetration testers and forensic analysts, as well.

» 

(ISC)² CISSP Certification

Last but not least, CISSP is among one of the most in-demand advanced-level certifications in the cyber security industry. The coursework follows one of three special areas of concentration: architecture, engineering, or management. This is a sophisticated course that requires at least 4-5 years of previous experience and prerequisite credentials to earn.

Improve Your Security Knowledge for 2020

Cyber security certifications form the first line of defense against the rapidly developing world of cyber crime. Technicians, specialists, and administrators who take the time to earn these credentials are better-suited to prevent data loss and damages to enterprise business processes. The information contained within these courses will help you protect legitimate businesses from well-equipped cyber criminals well into the future.