Cybersecurity Certifications

A certification won’t get you a cybersecurity career by itself. Experience, curiosity, communication, and continuous learning matter far more. Certifications validate knowledge. They don’t replace it.

Getting Started

“I’m trying to break into cybersecurity.”

• (ISC)2 CC

• CompTIA Security+

• Google Cybersecurity Certificate

• CompTIA Network+

Professional Cybersecurity

“I’ve been in security a few years. What’s next?”

• CISSP ⭐ (They say it’s an inch deep and a mile wide)

• SSCP

• CCSP (if cloud-focused)

• CySA+ (for defensive operations)

Technical & Hands-On

These are about building technical depth are generally performance-based or deeply technical.

• SANS GIAC (GPEN, GSEC, GCFA, GCIH, GXPN…)

• OSCP

• Burp Suite Certified Practitioner

• Cloud security certs (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Leadership & Governance

These focus on governance, risk, strategy, and leadership rather than hands-on technical skills.

• CISM ⭐

• CRISC

• CGEIT

• ISO 27001 Lead Implementer / Lead Auditor