10 “Best” Cybersecurity Certifications (June 2024)

Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly crucial for businesses in every sector, and it is especially vital for small- to medium-sized organizations. Cyberattacks continue to become a major problem in the United States and the rest of the globe, often times resulting in customer information being stolen.

Because of this increased risk, cybersecurity certifications are an important tool to prepare against the attacks. The high demand for cybersecurity skills means a top cybersecurity certification will boost one’s resumé.

With so many cybersecurity certifications to choose from, let’s take a look at the top ones on the market:

1. Harvard VPAL Cybersecurity: Managing Risk in the Information Age

This insightful business cybersecurity course is led by Eric Rosenbach, Eric is the director of the Defending Digital Democracy Project, and co-director of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School. He previously served as the Chief of Staff to US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, and held the position of Assistant Secretary of Defense. He was the Chief Security Officer for Tiscali, the largest pan-European internet service provider, and is a former US Army Intelligence Officer.

With this course you'll understand the following important principles:

• The ability to draft, strategize and develop a cyber risk mitigation strategy, including the appropriate legal and compliance steps that need to be taken when responding to cyberattacks and reporting cyberattacks to law enforcement.
• An in-depth understanding of the different types of cyberattacks, the business systems that are most at risk, and the importance of an organization-wide approach to cybersecurity.
• A premier certificate from Harvard University’s Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning, in association with HarvardX, as validation of your newfound cybersecurity knowledge and skills, as well as access to a global network of likeminded cybersecurity professionals.

2. Northwestern Cybersecurity Leadership

This is a course led by none other than Todd Fitzgerald, for 20 years, Fitzgerald has built and led information security programs for large companies, some of which have been on the Fortune 500 list. He’s authored four cybersecurity-related books (including a number-one bestseller and 2020 CANON Hall of Fame winner), has been ranked in the Top 50 Information Security Executives' list. Fitzgerald has taught numerous security leadership workshops for corporations such as the ISACA and MIT International Science and Technology Initiatives.

From this course you'll walk away with:

• The ability to draft, strategize and develop a cyber risk mitigation strategy, including the appropriate legal and compliance steps that need to be taken when responding to cyberattacks and reporting cyberattacks to law enforcement.
• An in-depth understanding of the different types of cyberattacks, the business systems that are most at risk, and the importance of an organization-wide approach to cybersecurity.
• A premier certificate from Harvard University’s Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning, in association with HarvardX, as validation of your newfound cybersecurity knowledge and skills, as well as access to a global network of likeminded cybersecurity professionals.
• The strategies and technologies to observe and manage any organizational vulnerabilities to cyberattacks.

3. IBM Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate

The IBM Cybersecurity Analyst course was designed from the ground-up to prepare you for the real-world of hacker attacks.

You can get enrolled for free. Investigate a real-world security breach identifying the attack, vulnerabilities, costs and prevention recommendations.

This 8-course Professional Certificate will give you the technical skills to become job-ready for a Cybersecurity Analyst role. Instructional content and labs will introduce you to concepts including network security, endpoint protection, incident response, threat intelligence, penetration testing, and vulnerability assessment.

4. Cybersecurity Mastertrack Certificate

The Cybersecurity Mastertrack Certificate by Arizona State University (ASU) is designed to provide IT professionals with the knowledge needed to manage vulnerabilities in an enterprise.

Build and practice essential cybersecurity skills by studying cryptography, software security, network security, and more from the #1 ranked school for innovation in the U.S.

In this program, you will complete a real module from the online Master of Computer Science program that will help you understand the field of Cybersecurity through the lens of computer systems and algorithms.

You will learn to protect and defend information and information systems by ensuring their availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and non-repudiation through protection, detection, and reaction practices.

5. CompTIA Security+ Certification Training

Another top certification is the CompTIA Security+ offers you a chance to earn a global certification that focuses on core cybersecurity skills which are indispensable for security and network administrators.

The course is ideal to validate your skill set in risk management, risk mitigation, threat management, and intrusion detection.

This CompTIA Security+ certification enables you to handle security incidents, not just identify them. You'll soon be able to explain different threat actors, vectors, and intelligence sources, and more importantly analyze potential indicators associated with application and network attacks.

Discount Code Up to 35% Off: EDUUNITEAI 

6. Edureka’s Cybersecurity Certification Course

This course was developed in order to get you thinking like a hacker, which is crucial to stop one.

The class covers various topics and tools such as hacking technologies that are used against cloud computing technology, mobile platforms and operating systems.

Throughout the course, you will learn important concepts such as ethical hacking, cryptography, computer networks & security, application security, idAM (identity & access management), vulnerability analysis, malware threats, sniffing, SQL injection, DoS, session hijacking, and various security practices for businesses along with hands-on demonstration.

Discount Code Up to 35% Off: EDUUNITEAI 

7. CompTIA Security+

The CompTIA Security+ is another top base-level certification for IT professionals. It only requires two years of experience to complete, and it is considered a general cybersecurity certification since it is also useful for a variety of setups.

The ComptTIA Security+ covers topics like network attack strategies and defenses, effective security policies, network- and host-based security practices, disaster recovery and encryption standards and products.

This certification is useful for those looking to become more knowledgeable in basic IT security. It applies to all job roles, especially developers, PC support analysts, and accounting managers. The U.S. Department of Defense requires it for all employees.

8. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

The Certified Information Security Manager Certification (CISM) is considered one of the best cybersecurity courses on the market. It requires at least five years of experience.

The CISM is management-focused, and it covers four specific topics:

• Information security program development and management
• Information security management
• Information security incident management
• Information risk management and compliance

The CISM is significantly more rigorous than others, but it is useful for CISO’s and other IT professionals.

9. NIST Cybersecurity Professional (NCSP)

 The NIST Cybersecurity Framework was built in 2014, and by 2015, 30 percent or U.S. organizations were using it. The certifications in the NCSF provide the skills to design, build, test and manage cybersecurity programs with the framework.

The two certifications currently available within the NCSP Progamme are:

• NCSF Foundation Certification: This program is aimed at executives, business professionals and IT professionals looking for a basic grasp on NCSF. It is specifically used to establish common NCSF vocabulary across a company.

• NCSF Practitioner Certification: This program is for designing and building comprehensive cybersecurity programs, and it teaches you how to minimize risks and protect critical assets through a business-focused cybersecurity risk management program.

Additional NCSP Specialist programmes are set to be released in early 2021.

10. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

The CCSP certification provides IT professionals with hands-on experience, which will lead to efficiency in cloud security architecture, design, operations and services. It is specifically targeted at security professionals with experience in information technology, IT architecture, governance, cloud and web security engineering.

CCSP, which also requires a minimum of five years of experience, covers various topics such as cloud architecture and design concepts, cloud data security, cloud operations, infrastructure security and compliance.

It is especially useful for systems engineers, security managers, security administrators and enterprise architects.

11. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Security 

The CCNA provides the specific knowledge and hands-on skills needed to protect Cisco networks, so it is valuable for organizations deploying Cisco technology. It is an associate-level certification that helps you recognize threats in a Cisco network, as well as develop effective security infrastructure.

It is especially valuable for network security specialists, network support engineers and security administrators.

12. Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)

 The CHFI is an advanced certification aimed at forensic network security investigators. It provides the skills needed to gather evidence and prosecute in court.

CHFI covers topics such as incident response and forensics, information recovery, technical examination and analysis, and computer-based evidence reporting.

With the increase in cyber threats in every sector, there should be a major push to obtain these top cybersecurity certifications. There are many great options on the market, for every level of an organization. Each one provides the specific skills needed to address cybersecurity issues, and they provide businesses with the opportunity to prepare their IT staff for the ever-evolving digital environment.